It’s hard to believe that it has been four years since I stood beside my best friends at high school graduation. I never thought things would get better than those times even though I was always told that college would be the best four years of my life. After going through it, all the people who told me that were one hundred percent correct.
Monmouth has been an unbelievable experience for me. I got to do so much and meet so many great people. Some of whom, I’ll be friends with for the rest of my life. There’s not enough time or ink to write down all I want to say about the people I’ve met, but here are some shout outs I was able to fit on one page:
Mom: Thank you for your unwavering support through everything over these four stressful years. You’ve always been there for me and have helped me get through whatever obstacle I had to face. You’re not only my mom, but you’re my best friend and I’m lucky to have the greatest mother in the world. I just hope you’re prepared for me to move back in for the first time in three years, haha. Love you!
Professor Morano: I learned so much from you in the past four years and since I’ve come to college, you’ve helped me increase my writing skills. You’ve been a great advisor to me and have given me many life tips that I will always remember. Thank you for all the help and aid throughout the years and I hope to still keep in touch with you after graduation.
Brothers of Phi Kappa Psi: Hey jerks. I know I wasn’t around that much this year, but that doesn’t change all of the great times we had over the past four years. From the beta class to the Bod Zone, the memories and stupid stuff we did will always be something I cherish. Gregg, Kyle Evans, Kyle Walter, Matty Ferns, Brandon, Shane, Casey, Miggs, Jeff, Tom, Decarlo, Deeg, Sean, Kinsella, Crazy John, Fichera, and everybody else, I love you all. Live ever, die never boys.
Andrew/Arod: Where do I begin? You’ve been my best friend since the fifth grade and now we’re graduating college together. You’ve always been there for me through the good times and the bad. You transferring here freshman year when things weren’t really going great for me, really helped me through that time. I may be an only child, but you’ll always be the brother I never had.
Cody: Codyyyyyyyyyy. I bet you never imagined you’d meet a person as strange as me or have a little who is out of his mind. But you do. There are way too many good times to discuss here, but I think it’s fair to say, college would not have been the same without you. You taught me a lot over these past four years, like how to handle my alcohol and at times, maybe not handle it so well. Regardless, you are and always will be one of my best friends and I couldn’t have asked for a better big. I know I can always count on you and you’re always there when I need someone to talk to. Gotta love the code breaker (Holding up a C).
Sandy: Mornin’! I always said you’re like my mom away from home and I meant that. Whenever I had an issue I would turn to you and you would always listen. We all know you would fight a war for any person in that office and are always looking out for us. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me over these last four years and I’m going to miss you a lot. Although I’m sure we’ll stay in touch and we’ll all grab the occasional beer at Johnny Macs, haha. Love ya Sandy.
Evelyn: Hey Mama. You’re the first and probably the last person who will tell me that I better wrap my s*** with aluminum foil. Like Sandy, you’ve been like a mother to me, one with no filter lol. That’s fine by me though because I wouldn’t want it any other way. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me over the past four years and I hope to still be close with you after graduation. Love you Evelyn.
Gina: Ahaha! Wahoo! This year was so weird without my favorite giggling person. But you trained/prepared me well for this year and I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re the sister I never had, I love you and thank you for letting me vent to you all the time. Hopefully I’ll get the APP job and I can go back to driving you insane once again. #Waboba.
Anthony: Can you believe we might be working with each other once again? Maybe you can treat me to lunch one day if we do. Don’t worry I won’t hold my breath Mr. cheap skate. See you soon.
Joanna: OOOOOWANNAAA. Love you and thank you for making my college experience great, especially with all the craziness of last summer haha. Keep doing great things and I hope you come back to the tri-state area soon.
Matt: Comics editor! One of the purest and greatest people I know. I can’t wait until you become the next Roger Ebert or the next Stan Lee. It’s only a matter of time before you make it Matt. Keep being you and great things will happen.
Frank: Ah, the first person to take me under their wing in college. I have so much to be thankful for from you. You taught me a lot when I joined The Outlook and you introduced me to Phi Psi. I’m forever grateful for these two things and you still continue to be a very good friend of mine who is always open to helping me when I’m in need. We’ve had our fair share of arguments, but our friendship has survived it all. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me.
Commando: Streak! You’ve grown a lot since you first stepped into your position last year. No longer do you just have a grasp on journalism, but you have developed an understanding of journalism as well. I know you’ll play a huge role in keeping the quality of the paper up. Good luck being the only male on staff next year and try to keep your streaking to a minimal.
Angela: The backpage savior. Thank you for all of your hard work this year and I know you’re gonig to be an amazing News Editor next year. Best of luck to you and I hope you keep in touch.
Nana: Nana! Thank you for doing a awesome job this year. I really hope you have a great time studying abroad and that you come back to the paper in the spring. You’re a great writer and I wish you the best.
Netta: Netta! We missed you this semester, but I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done over the past four years. You will always be the God of Photoshop in my eyes and hopefully our Devils don’t suck again next year. Keep in touch buddy.
Morganne: Khaleesi! It was really nice working with you over the years and yes you still intimidate me and scare me haha. But, really you were so helpful this year and I couldn’t have run this paper without you.
Nicole: Oh, the person I fear the most on staff haha. But, really thank you for keeping me in check this year and for yelling at me when it had to be done. You did an unbelievable job being a section editor and you have really come into your own. I wish I can be around next year to see how you could make the section grow even more. Thank you for all your hard work and for putting up with my weirdness. I’ll miss you, but I’m sure we’ll keep in touch. P.S. Just because I’m gone doesn’t mean you don’t have to stop calling people out. Someone’s going to have to do it next year. See you soon Don’tmessabrook.
Maggie: Hi wraggieeeeee. I’m sad I won’t be seeing you all the time anymore. You really are the truest and kindest girl I’ve met at Monmouth. Don’t ever change the way you are and I know you’re going to be a great sports editor. Just be sure to give every sport some love. If you ever need anything I’m a phone call away and I hope we stay close. I still don’t understand how you never got annoyed with me all year after the constant wraggie comments lol. You are one hell of a strong person. Be a good wraggie and I’ll see you soon.
Alex: It’s sad to see you step down as an editor of The Outlook, but I really do wish you the best of luck with your writing. I hope to see you at a book signing one day when you’re on the best sellers list and you can elegantly tip your hat to me. It’s been a pleasure working with you, making you shake your head on numerous occasions with the outlandish things I say and I wish you all the best going forward.
Alyssa: HI ALYSSA. FOR YOUR GOOD-BYE I FIGURED IT HAD TO BE IN ALL CAPS. I’VE SAID IT SEVERAL TIMES AND I MEAN IT. YOU’RE MY FAVORITE AND I’M REALLY GOING TO MISS YOU, YOUR LOUDNESS, AND YOUR WEIRD CACKLE/LAUGH. YOU COMPLETELY REVAMPED COMICS AND MADE IT YOUR OWN. YOU’VE GOT A GIFT IN DRAWING AND THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND YOU ARE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO. I’LL MISS YOU! (IMITATING YOUR LAUGH) “NOBODY ASKED YOU BRETT!”
Casey: Ow OOOOOOOOO. Oh, the silent but deadly Wolfe. It’s been really nice working with you these past two years and I’m pretty sure you’re still confused how my brain works lol. I’ve always thought you were the quiet one, but this year you proved that you have the characteristics of a leader. I would not be surprised if you were next in line for Editor-In-Chief when Jackie graduates. Anytime I needed help with anything you were always one of the first to step up. Keep working hard and making me proud. Thanks for everything and just try to avoid the office when the moon is full. “Stop it!”
Jackie: AOA! To say we’ve had our highs and lows would be an understatement. It’s been a very interesting year, but we got through it. I hope you feel that you’re prepared for next year and I know you’ll be fine as the new boss. Keep pushing the paper forward and make it even better than it already is. Best of luck to you and be great. If you ever need help or anything, remember I’m always a phone call away, even if I move to Canada lol.
Alexis: Alexass! Yes, that’s actually how I started my goodbye to you, but did you honestly expect anything less? You went above and beyond for this paper and I’m very grateful for everything you did this year. I know we’ve had our ups and our downs, but I look at you as a very close friend and I really hope us graduating doesn’t change that. I know I’m going to miss annoying you on a daily basis. Good luck with your job and I know you’ll be great at it, just try not to speak to people with the puppy voice. Always remember, “Do good.”
Ad Girl: ATG. GTA. Barter. Who’s Kelly? Your life is going to return to normalcy in that office when I leave and people may actually begin to call you Kelly again lol. We’ve grown very close since you first scowled your way into the office. From talks about life, hockey, and half page ads we’ve been through a lot. Thank you for being one of the best friends I’ve met in college and for always being there for me. I know we’ll stay close after I grADuate and the Rangers will always play second fiddle to the Devils. Ad that Girl. Girl That Ad.
ED!: The king of the sports! Can you imagine what college would have been like without having your name screamED every time you walk in the office? It would probably have been a normal experience. Anyway I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you were a much better sports EDitor than I was. You did great work this year and you made me proud. More than that, you’ve been one of my best friends these past two years. From “What beers do you have on tap” to Game of Thrones talk to adding those girls, it’s been a great past two years. I hope your RG3 recovers and gets you and your rEDskins a Super Bowl title. I look forward to us both becoming sports writers and to seeing you be successful.
Nick: HICK! NODGE! I bet you can’t wait to not hear that every day. But let me be serious for a moment. Ever since the first day you walked into The Outlook, our friendship has grown. We bonded over good tunes and of course the occasional beer. I know you say that friendships always change, but I really hope ours doesn’t. I look at you as one of the best friends I’ve met in college, even though I’m sure I drive you and everyone else crazy most the time. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you apply yourself I truly believe you can be one of the greatest writers/journalists there was between your people skills and writing skills. Always remember that.
Jenna: Had to save you for last and I’m not going to lie I teared up writing this lol. I still remember being a scared little freshman who commuted and knew nobody. Then I went to intro to communication and that’s where I met you and Goldie. I’m sure you liked me better then because that’s before I annoyed the crap out of you, but I still look at you as the first real friend I made in college. As much as I drive you insane, you’ll always have a special place in my heart and you showed me that Monmouth wasn’t such a scary place after all. It’s been amazing working with you over the years and I’m really going to miss you. Thank you for everything and for not killing me for imitating your voice for the past four years. Oh and one more thing…JENNNAAAAAAAAAAA.
I also wanted to say thank you to Dr. Novek, Professor Harmon, Professor Foster, the First Year Office, Conference and Event Services, and Athletics for everything these past four years.
As I walk away from Monmouth on May 22, I will do so with amazing memories and no regrets. A majority of these amazing memories were made in The Outlook office. This newspaper has gotten me through so much over the past four years and has introduced me to some of the greatest people I have ever met in my life. I will always be grateful for The Outlook and for how it has prepared me for the rest of my life.
There’s an old saying that goes, when one door closes another one opens. It’s now time for me to walk through a new door. It’s been real Monmouth. You’ll be inside my heart always.
