As a freshman at DU, I knew very little about what I wanted to do, what I wanted my future to look like, and who I wanted to be. I didn’t know what I wanted my major to be or how I was going to prepare for a future that I couldn’t envision. I knew that college was a rare chance to start over as a person and become someone different.
When I walked into the Clarion office, I was terrified. I was surrounded by upperclassmen who had their lives together, knew what they wanted to do in the future and knew what they wanted out of life.
I’m an upperclassman with the Clarion now. I hope that means it seems like I know what I want out of life. At least, I hope I do. Because beyond all the superficial skills that I can now list on LinkedIn, I have gained so much more from the Clarion.
I started in sports. It’s not too hard to avoid mean Facebook comments and trolls when you write about how well DU sports are doing. The hardest part was being the only girl sitting at the press box at the game, surrounded by men in suites and ties with big cameras and fancy laptops. I learned from my first editor, Nicole, how to stand strong and claim my seat at the table. I learned how to be unapologetic.
Sophomore year, I learned how to be confident in my voice. Being an editor at the Clarion introduced me to one of the greatest casts of characters ever brought together—Taryn, Grace, Sydney, Nina, Justin, Daniella, Ellie, Sara and Maya.
Taryn and Grace taught me the power of my voice and activism and the power in remaining confident in these things. Through their fearless lead, I learned how empowered women empower other women. Journalism, like many other professions, is a traditionally male-dominated profession, so to see two women fearlessly leading the Clarion through a year with several twists and turns (anybody remember the ceremonial Driscoll Bridge tear-down?), I learned how to stand confident in my voice and activism.
Three years of something that was entirely unexpected. Three years that I never saw coming. Three years that I would give anything to repeat.
Before I sign off, I would like to thank a few people but without the limits of an Oscar thank-you speech.
To my first editors, John and Ryan. You are still terrifying, but thank you for showing me that anybody had a space at the Clarion.
To my predecessors, Taryn and Grace. You two are also terrifying, and I think many people would agree with me on that. Thank you for trusting me, pushing me and mentoring me. Not many can claim to have been mentored by one of the greatest editorial teams out there, but I can say that I have.
To my successors, Kiana and Sara. I cannot think of many others who are as well-suited to this task as you two are. I know that the Clarion is in good hands. Being in our roles is not an easy task, but I cannot think of anyone more deserving or capable for these roles. Continue to push the Clarion to new heights.
To my team: Isaiah, Grace, Lawson (kinda), Jake, Megan and Claudia. I am so honored to have served all of you the past year. You are the best editorial team I could have ever dreamed for, and I am so proud of what we have accomplished. I cannot wait to see what you all continue to do. You are so incredibly passionate and talented, and you are some of the most dedicated people I know. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.
To my partner in crime, Victoria. Thank you for being you. You are so incredibly kind and patient, traits that have been invaluable to the Clarion as we navigated so many different times and changes. I am so glad that I had you at my side throughout all of this.
Andrew, thank you for existing. God knows what we would have done without you this year.
Thank you all for making these three years the best three years of my life. And with that, I get to use my one and only exclamation point. Farewell DU, see you later!
Hannah
