Staffers Say Goodbye to Santa Clara

Editor-in-Chief Farewell

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t was the end of my freshman year when a student newspaper reached out and saved what has turned out to be an amazing college experience at Santa Clara.It’s true, I wanted to leave this place. I wasn’t sure if the Mission Campus was right for me.While researching other options, I received an email from the former editor-in-chief of The Santa Clara. He had dug up the application I submitted during the first week of school and wanted to bring me in for an interview. I decided to give the newspaper a shot to see if getting involved might change my mind about leaving.Well, it didn’t just change my mind — it changed who I was. Working for TSC has become such a huge part of my life at Santa Clara that it’s difficult to imagine myself anywhere else.Whether it’s been as a sports editor, sports reporter or editor-in-chief, the friendships I’ve made and the camaraderie experienced from countless hours spent in the newsroom on Wednesday nights are the main reasons why I ended up staying at Santa Clara.It seems like just yesterday that I sat in on my first budget meeting, nervous as hell, and not sure what I was getting myself into. Three years later, I’m not sure what I would have done without this awesome newspaper. Thanks to everyone, past and present, for making The Santa Clara one of the best communities on campus.Nick Ostiller is a senior communication major. 

Slot Editor Farewell

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]et’s be honest. Going to school while working is not easy. Last quarter, I took 24 credits while also working  for the newspaper, and I definitely wore myself out, which is why I can say that I am now fully ready to graduate. Spring quarter has been much more relaxing, and I finally got to appreciate the staff surrounding me.After I graduate, I will fondly remember Wednesday nights in the newsroom filled with laughter, music, random videos and Chipotle — and hard work, of course. There were so many different personalities, but we all worked together well while also having a good time.My favorite memory of The Santa Clara has to be when Nick, Vishakha and I decided to go get donuts at 2 a.m. to reward ourselves after a long, hard night in the newsroom. I don’t remember what we talked about, but there were plenty of laughs.It’s nice to have people there to support you, especially after a rough day at work, and I’m proud to have been a part of The Santa Clara team. I can’t say being Slot Editor of The Santa Clara was exactly what I thought it was going to be, but I can say I enjoyed doing it.Jena McDougall is a senior anthropology major. 

Opinion Editor Farewell

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]orking for The Santa Clara was the single greatest surprise during my time here. I knew what I wanted to study, I knew what career I wanted to pursue and I even knew roughly where I was going to live every year. Being Opinion Editor, though, came out of the blue.My time here has been wonderful. I can’t thank the TSC staff enough for that. Every aspect of every issue is a team effort, and my colleagues deserve much more esteem for their work than I do.It has been an unmitigated pleasure reading all the submissions to the Opinion section over the last year. We all have opinions, of course, but it takes a certain amount of bravery to write them down and share them with thousands of strangers who read the paper. To everyone who has expressed themselves in my section, I thank you. To everyone who feels strongly about something but has yet to put it to paper, don’t hesitate. Make yourself heard.My hope is that every opinion piece we have published has made you think, whether or not you agree with the point of view. The only thing a writer can hope for is that a dialogue will ensue from their work.Never stop thinking critically about the challenges the world faces. Never stop letting your opinion be known. And, as always, stay informed.Jonathan Tomczak is a senior political science and history double major.