Farewell to The Collegian: A Final Goodbye Amid Life’s Certainties

Editor’s Note: It’s a cherished tradition for graduating seniors at The Collegian to pen a heartfelt farewell as they close this chapter of their lives at CSU.

When I first stepped onto campus, I was on shaky ground, unsure if I’d even make it through my first fall semester. Accounting for a rocky start as a construction management major, I found myself staring at a series of unfortunate grades that nearly crushed my spirit.

I vividly recall a late-night call with my mom, pouring my heart out about my failures and contemplating giving up. But where I saw failure, she saw just a few bumps in the road on my journey to success. I took her words to heart and decided to keep pushing forward, eventually seeking a new direction.

I wasn’t entirely sure what I was doing, but I knew two things for certain: I had a passion for writing and an unwavering love for sports. That realization led me to call my mom again to discuss switching my major. Her enthusiasm and encouragement were just the fuel I needed to chase after what truly excited me — and so I did.

Once I officially transitioned to journalism, my academic advisor recommended I join The Collegian. Excitement coursed through me, but I was still a rookie, unsure of what lay ahead. My first assignment? Covering a wrestling event in Fort Collins. With adrenaline pumping, I dove into interviews and set to work crafting my story.

Having learned to write in MLA and APA formats, I was blissfully ignorant of the existence of AP Style. After submitting my debut story, I received a text from my editors, Karsyn Lane and Braidon Nourse, inviting me for a crash course in office hours. Thanks to their patience and guidance, I quickly learned the ropes of news writing.

Reflecting back on my time as a reporter under Lane and Nourse, I am eternally grateful for their mentorship. They took the time to mold me into the writer I am today and inspired me to become the best editor I could be.

But the gratitude doesn’t stop there. I owe a huge debt of thanks to Darrell Blair, who generously shares his wisdom with aspiring sports journalists. His impact on my development is immeasurable, and I can’t thank him enough.

The CSU athletics community has been a constant source of support, especially Mike Brohard. Although I sometimes fear that any misstep might haunt me in his presence — shoutout to Cartman — the growth I’ve achieved under his guidance is priceless.

As I reflect on the past year and a half, I feel incredibly fortunate to have collaborated with some of the most dedicated and creative minds at CSU. When I walk across that graduation stage on December 14, the one thing I know I’ll miss the most is the wild camaraderie we shared. From my initiation into the Rocky Horror Picture Show to those late-night hospital visits, every moment spent with my amazing colleagues has been a cherished memory.

A heartfelt thank you to our brilliant page designers, Caden Proulx and Nathan Carmody, who somehow made my essays fit into the paper. Shoutout to Allie Seibel and Hannah Parcells — your contributions to my career have been invaluable, and your presence has brightened every day. I can’t wait to see how The Collegian continues to flourish under your leadership.

To Adah McMillan, Claire Vogl, Will Engle, and the rest of the copy staff — your support during the countless times I needed it has meant the world to me. I’ll miss our light-hearted chats and can’t wait to see the amazing impact each of you will have on the world.

To my fellow editors, your hard work has been nothing short of inspiring. The papers we’ve produced this year are a testament to our collective effort. A special shoutout to my co-editor, Michael Hovey, who has truly been the backbone of our desk. You’ve made my life infinitely easier, and running this desk with you has been an absolute joy this semester.

Lastly, to the sports desk — the passion and dedication you all bring have made my final semester genuinely special. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to know each of you, and I genuinely wish I could stick around longer with such an incredible group of reporters. While I can’t name every amazing person I met last year, know that each of you played a vital role in this wonderful venture we call The Collegian.