When I first stepped foot on this campus a year and a half ago, I was a timid yet hopeful journalism major who had no idea where and when I would get professional experience to help advance my career. I knew I wanted to have bylines in a newspaper or be the guy on TV standing rinkside at the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but I did not know the means by which I could reach those goals. 

That was until I learned about the Clarion, the student-run newspaper on campus. 

I remember the first meeting I ever attended. I barely said a word, maybe talked to one kid and left with an uneasy feeling that I would not belong to the club or the industry. It’s crazy to see how far I have come since that initial meeting. 

I am very excited to take on a new role as Executive Editor of the Clarion. I am looking forward to proving to people the legitimacy of this newspaper and advancing the great things that are being done in and outside of room 301 in the AAC. 

I am very excited to work with my new Editor-In-Chief, Ana Júlia Rodrigues Alves, who is tremendously well-qualified and deserving of the position. I look forward to increasing the success of the Clarion together and putting forward our ambitious ideas. 

I am indebted to thank our Copy Editor Jackie Michel, who humbly and kindly turned down the position when she was clearly more qualified than me. Thank you Jackie for being gracious and allowing me to step up and take on the role. I am forever thankful for your humbleness, gratitude and dedication to our newspaper. 

Thanks to all of my writers in the sports section for transforming my writing style, giving me people to lead and learn from and for sometimes making my life hell. You guys have taught me very valuable lessons that I will use for life. 

To all the current staff members and writers, I look forward to getting to know you more personally and to hearing all your great stories and ideas. 

And a special thank you to Aubrey Cox and Ambriel Speagle for your great leadership. You served a tenure that will best serve the future success of our newspaper, and I am forever thankful for you guys. I know you both will be successful in whatever endeavors come next in your lives. 

Thank you to my family as well, who have done nothing but support me during this journey with the Clarion. I am extremely grateful to know that I have the best support system that reads my articles and follows my progress. 

To all the readers: reach out to me. Send me your ideas, stories, suggestions, crossword puzzles, etc. I am available to talk to and I encourage you to reach out to the email listed on the contact page. 

I vow to the readers of this newspaper that I will continue to publish the best standard of journalism the Clarion has ever published. I vow to the staff of this newspaper that I will be a great leader and make decisions in order to further the success that we accomplish. I vow to the alumni and past staff members that I will uphold the same high standard you held to during your tenures. 

Thanks to everyone for this opportunity. I look forward to seizing it and making the most out of it.