It seems I have told this story a few hundred times by now. For the past two years, when trying to recruit new staff, I would attempt to convince them that despite all reason and common sense, they wanted to spend a few hours one night a week working at The Cavalier Daily. Last week, my first off the job, I overheard someone giving the routine to a prospective production assistant while showing him around the backroom. At that moment I realized my story was just another one in the long line of CD editors trying to bestow a little bit of the magic that lurks in the basement late at night.
When you consciously decide to spend 50 to 60 hours each week in the basement of Newcomb Hall working for the school paper, your friends tend to ask you why. Over the past year I have come up with some pretty interesting answers that included references to the awards we'd won, the resume building I was doing and the professional connections I was making. The truth is, it is the people in this crazy place that make working here the joy it has always been and they, more than anything else, have made leaving the managing board a heartbreaking experience.
I wouldn't have gotten involved with The CD in the first place had it not been for the incomparable Dan Lopez. In my first role as associate photography editor -- which sounds very impressive to you and you alone when you are a first year -- Dan served as my editor. You taught me how to look through a lens and capture the moment, but more importantly what photos deserved to be in the paper.
I couldn't have asked for a better co-editor in the photography department than Brady Wolfe. Thank you for putting up with me and standing up for me when I needed it.
Honestly, I never would have made it through my first semester as Operations Manager had it not been for the dedication and friendship of Betsy Fargo. With an inexperienced production staff and with me just as wet behind the ears, you were simply amazing as my only full-time production editor that first semester. Never once did you complain, although you should have, and you never failed to have a smile on your face. I can't think of a luckier guy than me when I had you around that first semester.
Last semester, with Betsy in Italy, it was a pair of dedicated females that came to my rescue: Liz Maurer and Leah Nylen. You two work so hard in what is often a thankless job. I'm sure you'll both be wonderful again this year as editors, but try not to sass Andrew too much -- he's more fragile than you think.
Lisa Florkowski. Two photo editor terms? Are you nuts? You are, but I guess that's just what the paper needs. Don't ever let an editor tell you to put a picture of a building on the front page. Don't ever let people put up photo assignments at two in the morning and claim they've been there for weeks. Don't ever let anyone get a photo credit wrong. But, if you do one thing in this term as editor, let me shoot the Duke game. Thank you. Of all the legacies I've dreamed of leaving behind, the all-female photography department is in the top five, so thank you for your help with that.
Deirdre Erin Murphy, even though your name wouldn't fit at the end of briefs without a little tight tracking, you were a wonderful companion in the basement all those nights. I'm glad you are going to be around for a few days every week for another year.
Jessica Fox Garrison, when will you stop pretending I'm not the one for you and go out with me already? Seriously, your friendship over the past year has meant so much to me; thank you for staying my friend even though I was always sleeping during play time.
To the rest of the 113th staff of The Cavalier Daily, you were simply incredible. To those of you who stepped up and went above and beyond day after day, my sincerest appreciation. Some say with each managing board, the face of the paper changes. To be honest, we were just puppets in the grand show that you had directed and produced. It was an honor to sit and watch you guys work and put out fabulous papers day after day.
Guillaume, try not to be too hard on me this year when I am Advertising Manager. It is my year to be a slacker and your year to be a visionary; still, don't let me get in the way.
Chris Wilson, your dedication to this paper is so strong that nothing will stop you unless you let it. Take a step back every once in a while and just savor what a great place this is.
To my successor, Andrew Barros, I wish you good luck. You never know what bad things can happen in the backroom late at night. Thank you for letting me steal you from photo and thank you for all the Sour Patch Kids. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me.
To the new big cheese, Justin, remember that our board will always be better than your new board, so don't set the bar too high. It was an honor to work with you last year and I can't think of anyone better to lead this paper.
To the old big cheese, Brandon, thanks for making me feel important in every step of the process and thank you for letting me come to your office to complain. You kept this place together through some pretty tough times and for that you will always be remembered. Good luck finding a wife this semester.
Emily Roper, there simply aren't enough words in the English language to say thank you for all the times you have been there for me. Remember late nights scheming on the phone before elections? Remember late nights at the paper waiting to go home? You put up with my complaining and always knew when to tell me to "stop it!" You did an absolutely amazing job as ME and you did an even better job as my friend. Looks like we are taking this party to the Center, eh?
To my Mom and Dad, I know one of you still calls this place The Daily Cavalier and sometimes you mistake it for a weekly paper, but that doesn't mean I don't know how supportive you have been of me through all these months of getting no sleep and not doing any work. Thanks for not writingme off when it took me a week to respond to an e-mail or a phone call, and thanks for those times when you've just been there for me. I love you.
To Alex, thanks for bringing me home with you back in September and keeping our friendship alive. You have been a great friend, and you have a cute girlfriend too -- doesn't hurt that she works for the paper.
To Cassie and Bryan, thanks for not writing me off as "worthless" although it wouldn't have hurt to not call me that all the time. Thank you for realizing that this was something that I wanted to do, even though I knew it meant that I wouldn't be around all the time. Thanks for all your support and help over the past year as well.
If anything, I hope I have left something behind at this place. I know that this place has left something behind for me.
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