Forever Connected to These Pages

Orange and blue. Two simple words, two simple colors, yet they have become my life, in two senses, for the past four years. Carson-Newman has been my second home; the place where I can go right next door to find my closest friends, my second family. In another sense though, "orange and blue" has been my life. This is my final farewell to the readers of the Orange and Blue and to this campus. After six semesters of being on this staff (three as co-editor, and one semester as editor), graduation is forcing me out of the office and my second home. As I write this, I am struck with a mixture of emotions because this is the final article that I will write for the O&B. I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve the students, faculty, campus, and all readers of this newspaper over the past three years.

I can remember the first article I ever wrote for the O&B. In the fall of 2006, a new competition, Carson-Newman Idol, made its debut on campus. I was assigned to cover this campus version of "American Idol." Over the course of the semester, I had the opportunity to write the first article about the new competition, cover all the semi-finalists rounds, and to cover the breaking last article announcing the winner.

We had published the paper the day of the show's finale and after attending the event, I stayed up late finishing the final article for the website and editing the photographs from the show. The sensation I felt covering that event and seeing it on the website the next morning was indescribable. From that moment on, my dedication to the O&B was unbreakable. I had always enjoyed writing, but it was during that semester that I fell in love with journalism.

I could write endlessly about the technicality lessons being on this newspaper staff has taught me (how to use InDesign, how to write headlines, the proper writing technique, etc.) but, being a part of this staff and being involved in the leadership positions of both co-editor and editor has helped me learn and grow more than I ever imagined possible. Behind the scenes, the interviews with people, a chance to hear someone's stories, are what can change you the most. When interviewing Jennifer Tramel for the alcohol awareness article earlier this semester, I fought back tears while listening to her story. Journalism is not just about getting the story and writing it with the five W's (who, what, when, where, and why) and the how, it is about telling people's stories and creating something that people want to read.

Some of the most awarding moments of being involved with this newspaper have been when people have stopped me on campus to tell me they enjoyed reading a certain article, to have a conversation with me about how the newspaper has adapted throughout the years for the better, or when people just offer suggestions. A few times last semester, after I returned to campus from my surgery, various people stopped to ask me about my recovery and tell me that I was in their prayers during my time away. Many of them stopped to tell me that they had been keeping up with my progress by reading the newspaper.

My most treasured memory in the past year, however, is probably when Waunita Charles stopped me on Homecoming day this past semester. I had just returned to campus a few days previous to that after being away doing rehabilitation for my surgery and she stopped me to ask if I was the co-editor she had been reading about in the Orange and Blue. I said yes and she quickly swept me into a hug and proceeded to have a conversation with me. I was so touched and amazed that someone I had never meant knew so much about me just from my editorials. In moments like those, I am reassured that even though the journalism field is struggling currently in our economy, this is the only career I could be completely happy doing every day of my life.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped me during my time at Carson-Newman. First of all, I want to thank God for giving me this incredible opportunity. To my family, friends, church family, and boyfriend, you know how much you all mean to me and I will never be able to repay you for your continuous love and support. From the cafeteria workers, such as Phil, who carried on conversations with me during long lines waiting for his famous fries, to the security guards who recognize me without showing them my ID, everyone has made an impact in my life in one way or another.

To the administration, faculty and staff, and communications department, thank you for having faith that I would make a good co-editor and editor. Not only did you open a lot of doors for me and provide me with amazing opportunities, you also put up with my persistent messages and calls for interviews. To all my professors throughout the years, thank you for teaching me and for genuinely caring about me as an individual and not just another "number."

To the staff members of the O&B, past and present, you have been like a family since I first began my journey with this newspaper. Thank you for your hard work. To my newspaper advisor, Professor Cragwall, you will never know how much you have helped me through the years. Thank you for everything, really. To my previous co-editor, Natalie, and my associate editor, Kristen, both of you have been great friends and I do not know if I could have survived these past three years without your friendship, encouragement, and willingness to assist when needed. I love you both.

Last, but not least, I want to thank you, the readers of the O&B. Without you, our profession would be without purpose.

As I sit here concluding this editorial, with the many emotions hitting me (many of them running down my face), I know this place and this opportunity has had an everlasting impact on me and I will never forget my time spent here. I will forever be connected to these pages and their history.