This goodbye comes a year sooner than I had marked in my color-coded calendar. Yet, I feel that is very fitting as this year, this role, this time at The Daily Iowan has been nothing like what I planned for. 

I joined this newsroom the second I stepped foot on campus, anticipating to get a byline or two and puff up my portfolio. The DI quickly became my favorite place filled with my favorite people. 

I am beyong honored to have served this paper as executive editor in my third year at the University of Iowa. While I am excited to spend part of my last year abroad, I’ll miss this newsroom so much. 

I have more love and respect for this newsroom than I can hold, and the idea of leaving is something I have yet to come to terms with. This place has become so much of who I am.  

I became a journalist at 15 years old, courtesy of my guidance counselor’s ingenuity, my hometown paper’s eagerness, and my desire to write something, anything. I didn’t know I would find my sense of self in other people’s stories. 

Starting at such a young age shaped who I am. I came of age as a journalist, and reporting taught me how to move through the world. Observe, ask questions, connect. Edit, revise, try again. 

The DI is where I learned how to turn a love for asking questions into a professional career. Through setbacks and stumbles, breakthroughs and triumphs, I owe it all to the DI and the group of talented, ambitious young journalists who make our paper what it is. 

From interviewing presidential candidates my freshman year, covering the Iowa Caucuses, driving through a swing state for the 2024 election, reporting from Capitol Hill, the DI gave me so many opportunities and deserves complete credit for my successes. 

I’m walking away from this position misty eyed, of course, but also filled with so much gratitude. 

First, I want to thank anyone who takes time out of their day to read what I write. My biggest thank you goes to any community member,
student, elected official, anyone who ever spoke with me for an article. Thank you for every question answered and every call picked up. 

President and publisher Jason Brummond provided invaluable guidance, support, and patience. Thank you for always letting me bug you. Whether we were talking about baseball or going over an ethical dilemma, I enjoyed every chance I had to sit in your office. I hope to always hear your voice of wisdom when I’m faced with obstacles.

Heidi and Juli, thank you for always taking time to chat with me, even if it was about the silliest things like passports or electric blankets. Your knowledge and laughter made this year so much easier and enjoyable. 

My asskicking mentor, Marissa Payne, who taught me the most important lessons. And my partner in politics, Liam Halawith, I hope that one day we share a byline again. Working with you both was a highlight of my career. 

Politics Coach Ty Rushing, who was there on the doc whenever I needed him. We poured over public records together, and you taught me how to apply pressure to government entities to guarantee transparency. Thank you for pushing me. 

Coaches Jen Wagner, Leah Latella, and John Richard, thank you for your words of wisdom. 

To my managing team, Emma, Shreya, Isabelle, Charlie and Grace, I would not have survived this year without you. I admire you all and will miss working beside you into the late hours of the night. 

Emma, no we weren’t being punked. That was the job, and we did the damn thing. Maybe we can stop looking for cameras. I can’t thank you enough for seeing it through with me. I hope to work with you again one day. 

Shreya, this year we grew closer and I am more than grateful to have you in my life. I’m going to miss looking across my desk to you. Most of all, I’m going to miss you playing frat music in the newsroom. 

Isabelle, we accomplished so much together and I know you’ll improve every newsroom you are a part of. 

Charlie, thank you for making me laugh so hard I fell out of my chair. You are the calmest, most collected person, and I’m honored to have gotten to know your silly side. 

Grace, I can’t wait to see what you do. Make this newsroom your own. 

An extra special thank you to my roommates, who I would often go weeks without seeing. Thank you for your support, for listening to my crash outs, and for understanding why I couldn’t be around as much this year. 

To my family, you can stop worrying, I’ll start sleeping regular hours now that the job is done.  

Time to count the wins and take a nap. 

Goodbye, for now.