By MICHAEL COLLINS
Editor-In-Chief
The year was 2012 when a goofy little freshman from Hooker, Oklahoma arrived on Alva’s campus. He was a bright young kid with a big smile and even bigger hair (seriously, it was like Edward Cullen in “Twilight” big.) He didn’t know it at the time, such is life, but one day, that bright little boy from the Panhandle would walk far into the world, even further from the small town of Alva. His face would show the journey. His belt would gain a few more notches (mentally and physically both).
But for the moment, that face was filled with a youthful vibrancy that one feels when the world is at their fingertips. Through the endless possibilities in front of him, he chose Mass Communications as his major. He hoped to forge his own path.
Now that we have the dramatic, self-reflective intro out of the way, I want to go ahead and say my goodbye. When I joined the Northwestern News Staff as a small-time Ad Designer, I came in with only one goal: to save my city (kidding, but hey shout-out to all the “Arrow” fans out there). No, but I did come with the idea that I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to leave behind a small legacy of my own here that would stand long after I graduated. Well, as I write this, I stand on the precipice of my last issue and four years working for this newspaper, and I must honestly say that I have fallen short of that goal. And that’s okay.
What I leave behind may not be remembered by many, but I wouldn’t take back my efforts for anything in the world. I put my heart and soul into this paper. That’s really the bittersweet reality of life: you may not arrive at the destination you chose for yourself, but how can you not at least be proud of the journey?
I may not leave behind a glowing example of how to be a great editor (or even a good one for that manner), yet I have created some of my fondest memories here at this newspaper that I will cherish for many years to come. In fact, the more I think of it, that’s all I’ve actually ever wanted.
It’s the long nights of page layout and personal stories with amazingly fun people like Melanie Wilderman, Coty Green, Clay Thomas, Brenda Hearn, Anthony Moffa and Jay Lee that will fill me with joy after I’m gone. It’s the good-natured jokes at Natalie Sacket’s expense during story assignments (Nat Sack, you are most definitely fired) that will make me smile years down the road. Most of all, it’s the lessons each and every person that has worked for this newspaper has taught me that I will take with me for the rest of my life. That’s what I’ll look back on with pride, and no one can take that from me.
Yes, I know I said I would say my goodbye four paragraphs ago, but now it’s the time for the hard part of the writing (I tried not to cry, but I made no promises).
To the three Newspaper advisors I’ve worked under in my four years: thank you for your guidance and lessons. Because of you all, I have come out a better writer, editor and perhaps, even a better person. Melanie Wilderman, you’ll always have a special place in my heart no matter how cheesy that sounds. You gave me my first job at the newspaper. You took me in; you showed me the ropes; you made me want to be better every day. Thank you for believing in my potential and helping me find my own voice. Most of all, thank you for being my teacher and my friend.
To the two editors that I worked under, Cali Crissup and Coty Green, thank you both for giving me an example to follow. You could probably attest to the shy little guy I was when I arrived, but trust me I have grown up so much since then. You both, in your own unique ways, helped to bring me out of my shell. Thanks for teaching me how to grow here in this newsroom.
Anthony Moffa, thanks for being one of the best (if not best, by far the oldest) friends that I’ve ever had. You are seriously awesome, and if you’re reading this, you have so much potential and ability to offer the world. Don’t ever sell yourself short, because to me, you are the jack of all trades. Thanks for being someone I could vent to, learn from, and make the best inside jokes of all time with. I will never forget you (especially not your Jesus beard).
Huge thanks to Natalie Sacket for being my “rock,” so to speak, for three years. You have been a reporter, photographer, columnist, editor and friend. I truly don’t know how you are physically able to do all the many tasks and jobs you do in the span of 24 hours. Without your talent, your charming wit, and your undying ability to make me feel better about myself even in the most trying times, I might have never made it to the place I am today. I don’t normally tell you this out loud, but you truly are an amazing and one of a kind individual. Thank you for support, your gift of writing, and your knack for getting yourself “fired” all the time. You are going to make Jordan Evans (big congrats on his new position as Ad Manager here at the Northwestern News, by the way) a very happy man.
My next goodbye goes to the heart and soul of this newspaper: this year’s staff. To my editors, Natalie Sacket, Nick Villalobos, Jordan McLemore and Kat Ball, thank you for a memorable last year. Thank you for all your hard work and patience. I know I’m not the easiest boss in the world to deal with, but you all honestly make my job worth having. Continue to grow and lead this paper in the right direction.
My final goodbye goes to my successor, Nick Villalobos. Thank you for stepping up to a new role and responsibility each year you were here. You started as a sports reporter and proved your worth as my sports editor. Now, you are now the big boss and the face of the franchise (don’t let it go to your head though; I’m not sure your skinny legs could support that). In you, I see that eager fire to learn and grow that I had when I started. Don’t lose that fire. That’s what will take you the distance and beyond. I have the utmost faith in you to carry this newspaper on into the future. My advice to you would be three things that I learned as editor myself.
- Don’t be afraid to grow and change. Breathe new life into this paper by making it your own.
- Stay humble. No matter how important you may think you are, there’s always a place to improve.
- Have fun with your job. If there’s any lesson that was most important, it’s this one. No matter how driven you are to complete your goals, never forget the journey you make to get there. That’s where you’ll meet the most influential people in your life. That’s where your soul is at. Make your journey something you’ll never forget. I know I did.