When I walked into my first Clarion meeting freshman year, I had no idea that this club would become the most formative experience of my college career. I can’t exactly remember the first time I took a pitch, wrote an article or felt the pride of seeing my name in print—but I know that afterwards I was totally hooked. Since that first meeting, I’ve spent every Monday night of the school year hanging out at the Clarion, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I found a community of smart, hilarious and all-around fantastic people who I’m absolutely honored to have known over the past four years.

It’s been such an honor to serve as the Executive Editor of the Clarion, and I can wholeheartedly say that it’s my proudest achievement. It certainly hasn’t been easy—especially in the era of “fake news” mentality—but working with this team to turn out a paper every week, no matter what, has given me comfort in the fact that there are people in this world who really care—not about money or recognition or praise, because there is little of any of this in journalism—but about the world itself. In this team I’ve found a group of people who care about what’s going on in the world and on campus and are willing to sacrifice hours of time every week to make sure that people are informed about it. It may be thankless at times, but it really matters.

To Jillian—I am so, so proud of you and honored to have served as your Executive Editor! The amount of strength you’ve shown over the past year and your ability to navigate issues with grace and finesse is so admirable. I’m so lucky to have had not only a great editor as my partner, but a great friend.

To John and Ryan—I have the utmost confidence that you both will do such a fantastic job as the leadership of the Clarion. Your ideas, passion and expertise will take this publication to new heights and I absolutely can’t wait to see what you both will be able to achieve.

To the Clarion staff, current and future—what you’re doing here matters. Keep caring.

I guess the only thing to do now is figure out what I’m going to do with my Monday nights…

<3 Kellsie Brannen