It feels surreal to sit and write this letter after four years of dedication to the Clarion. However, with graduation around the corner, I am officially stepping down as Editor-in-Chief; I will walk away with incredible memories, countless new skills and many titles on my resume (I’m told “Editor-in-Chief” is sure to land me a job, so we’ll see if that comes to fruition). However, when I think back on my time with the student newspaper, I will think about the people, so many to whom I owe incredible thanks.
To Connor, Meg, Madeline and Monica: As my first editors, thank you for easing me into the world of journalism. I vividly remember my first day of college, also my first day of the Clarion, packed into the now-demolished Driscoll Underground with the wonderful community you had built. Connor, you didn’t know it at the time, but that first meeting, I looked up at you as Editor-in-Chief with awe and intimidation and thought, “Wow, maybe that could be me someday.”
To Sydney: I’m endlessly thankful I dragged you to a meeting with me so we could both enjoy and endure years of the Clarion together. I’m sorry that serving as Business Manager probably took years off your life. And to Madison, my fellow Copy Editor: Thank you for enduring printer failures and AP Style changes and office gossip across the table from me. You were incredibly missed this year.
To Jillian and Kellsie: I hope you know how much I looked up to you during your time in Clarion leadership. Your ability to create a professional yet extremely fun and tight-knit community was impressive and inspiring; thank you for being such wonderful human beings.
To John and Ryan: I could write pages to you both. Thank you, first and foremost, for years of friendship that I’m excited to continue in the future. Thank you, secondly, for your incredible Clarion leadership. You did great things for the paper, and I’m still in awe of how much faith you had in me, from day one, to fill your shoes. It was an honor to take the reins from you, and I hope I’ve made you proud.
To Monica, my love: You were there from the beginning, from my first day; if only I had realized it at the time. Nevertheless, I’m infinitely thankful the Clarion (and Ryan, of course) brought us together. You were there to edit my first story and there to vote for me years later as Editor-in-Chief, and you’ve provided constant support throughout everything. Thank you, as always, for such easy love. I’m truly the luckiest.
To Grace, my partner during this hectic year: Thank you; I cannot imagine a better Executive Editor to have worked alongside me. Despite your dedication to so many other jobs and organizations and causes and people, you always made time for the Clarion. I am constantly inspired by your commitment not just to journalism but to reporting that does good in the world. I can’t wait to see what your future holds.
To the staff, old and new: Thank you for your dedication to the Clarion—it would not exist without you. I feel so privileged to have been your leader, and also to have experienced unwavering acceptance as a queer woman in that role. And to Andrew: Thank you for your presence and guidance this year; we are all immensely grateful for you (even Grace).
To Hannah and Victoria: I wish you the best of luck taking over, and I wholeheartedly believe that you will do amazing things for the newspaper. You are both incredibly talented, and I look forward to seeing what you accomplish as Editor-in-Chief and Executive Editor. I couldn’t be prouder to see a pair of confident and amazing women fill our shoes!
Finally, to the DU community: Thank you for welcoming me as a leader on campus. I’m so grateful for the faculty and students who loyally engage with the Clarion, and I sincerely hope that it continues to grow as a household name at DU. Journalism is important right now, and this is how you support it firsthand.
With that, I sign off.
Sincerely,
Taryn Allen
