As I step closer to graduation, the fears of where I will go and who I will become start to creep in. The foundation that I grew from at NKU has kept me stable, and breaking from that seems like a feat I’m not yet ready to face. But the time has come nonetheless, whether I feel ready or not. Being a part of The Northerner is the one thing that makes me feel confident in what I bring to the table going into the “real world.”

My time with The Northerner has been short, but the most fulfilling experience of my three-and-a-half years at NKU. 

I started my studies majoring in English education, so it wasn’t until the start of my third year that I joined the student paper. Once I was contributing, it wasn’t long until I was loving it. I then became a reporter, attending weekly meetings and learning from editors and others on staff. After only two semesters of reporting, I applied for the News Editor position and got it. While I’ve only been an editor for a semester, the skills I’ve learned are something I will take with me in any career. 

I will never forget the night of the presidential election as a student journalist. I remember our Editor-in-Chief saying, “Covering the election as a student journalist is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” and it truly was. 

Once the polls closed, the staff met in the newsroom with enough pizza to last us a few days it seemed (nothing a team of student journalists couldn’t handle though). We had someone doing everything: checking for every update, creating graphics and taking pictures. That night felt so real. It was like I was actually doing it, becoming a journalist. We spent hours laughing and sometimes yawning, but it really was a once in a lifetime opportunity I wouldn’t have missed for the world. 

Out of everything though, the most meaningful part of my time on staff was the work put into my Capstone project. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, sharing news in an ethical way about my community is something I strive for. For a semester, I researched the topic, finding the best practices journalists should follow when interviewing and reporting on the LGBTQ+ community. 

This semester, I put that research to work and published four articles centered around the community. Thank you to The Northerner staff for attending a presentation on my research and work. I hope that the work continues after I’m gone and queer voices keep being shared. 

Thank you to my mentor Dr. Stacie Jankowski for not only your constant support in this project, but for teaching some of the most memorable journalism courses throughout my time as a student. From ethics to law, what I learned in your courses are the skills that I refer back to most when reporting. 

Emily Sisk and Hailey Roden, thank you for your kindness this semester. Being so new to the world of journalism, I was scared I wouldn’t have what it takes to be News Editor, much like I’m scared now of the “real world.” You both saw what I was capable of though and helped me to be the best that I could be. I truly have learned so much from the two of you from my time as a reporter to now, the most important being that it’s okay to ask for help. 

While my time has been short, I have had the pleasure of working alongside two incredible advisors. Michele Day, you inspired me to be where I am now. Your love for journalism, teaching and your students overall is something I will never forget. Thank you for making the practicum courses the most fun classes. You are missed dearly at NKU. Annie Hammock, while we’ve only had one semester together, my time with you as an advisor has been great. You help us when we need it, but also allow us to be independent and creative. I may not have had you as a professor, but the stories you’ve told of your time in the field are ones I won’t forget. 

And to Henry Crawford, my amazing assistant, I cannot wait to see what you can do next semester as News Editor. You are an incredible political journalist, something I most definitely am not. You follow through on stories even when you don’t know if they will go anywhere. That dedication will take you places. Thank you for putting your faith in me as your “boss.”

My dad told me to join the student paper the minute he found out I switched to major in journalism. I laughed and said, “I don’t have enough experience for that.”

But I did have enough “experience” because the truth is, you don’t need any to get started growing with your peers. I wish I had listened to my dad that day so I guess that leads me to my next thank you. Thank you to Charley Meade, my incredible dad for always pushing me to be more. You have always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. While I regret not taking your advice two years ago, I made it right where you knew I would be all along. 

Finally, thank you to my partner Virginia Boscaino. I have never known someone to so tirelessly support someone else’s dream like you have done for me. While in school and after becoming News Editor, you knew I would have so much on my plate. You took any stress that you could off of my shoulders and let me focus on what I loved. From always doing the dishes and laundry to taking over budgeting, you have been my rock, never letting me falter from becoming who I wanted to be. 

To anyone who has ever thought about being a part of The Northerner, I urge you to jump on it. Don’t wait for the “right” moment because there will never be one. If you’re worried that you don’t have the time, I promise you do. Making time for this paper is worth it. Not just for the experience, but for the people and the memories you’ll make along the way. If you’re worried you aren’t qualified enough, you are. Everyone on staff helps everyone. We’re all peers, learning and growing together. I know these things because I was once there with those thoughts. But now that it’s almost over, I can’t help but wish I got involved sooner. So take the chance, make the time — you won’t regret it.