How exactly am I supposed to say goodbye to the last four years of my life? My experiences here have changed me completely (for the better) and I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like when I pack up my room, knowing I’m not coming back in a few months. There are also people I couldn’t imagine life without and who made my four years here some of the best.
First of all, thank you to my family for encouraging me to go to Monmouth and for putting up with a kid who always forgets to call.
Thank you to Amanda Caruso for being the best friend a girl could ask for. Four years ago, we moved into Beechwood, I took one look at your posters and told you we were going to be good friends. I think you thought I was crazy (which is correct), but I don’t think either of us thought we would be so close by graduation. I am so glad you’re the one I’ve gone through the last four years with.
This school wouldn’t be a school if I didn’t have great teachers to learn from. Thank you to all of my professors at Monmouth. There are far too many too name, but you’ve all been so influential.
One of the most important parts of my life at Monmouth has been the way the University allows students to participate in other departments. Obviously, The Outlook office is a home, but so is Woods Theatre.
Thank you to the Theatre Department. To Sheri Anderson, Nicole Ricciardi, Fred DelGuercio, Doc Burke and Maurice Moran, thank you for teaching me so much and letting me be so involved in the department. I really do consider it a privilege. Nicole and Sheri, you two are basically full time teachers and part time psychologists. You’re both amazing and deserve so much credit for what you do.
Thank you to all of the students in the theatre program. Despite being an English major, Woods Theatre gave me a home when I needed one most. I’ve never met a more welcoming, friendly group of people in my life. You’re a family. We don’t wear letters or call each other brothers and sisters. We don’t choose new members; we let new members choose us. We welcome them with open arms. I wasn’t a very happy person when I joined you guys for “The Foreigner,” but being with you guys changed everything. I’m really happy right now, and I credit you guys with a lot of that.
Stephen Lang, thank you for knowing how to make a girl feel special.
Of course, The Outlook also changed things for me. Thank you to Morganne and Matt for being great editors for me to look up to. Thank you for allowing me to have this position.
Thank you to my current staff for making this year great. Peter, you really made my job so much easier this year. Thank you for always beeing so reliable.
Amanda, I know you will do great as an editor next year.
Thank you to the 2012-2013 staff. You really are the weirdest group of people (and I’m saying that as a theatre kid), but I love and miss you all. Brett Bodner, you’re a ridiculously annoying person and I want to smack you. Thanks for being a great EIC and being afraid of me. That actually did wonders for my self esteem at that time, and I really appreciate it.
Nick and Ed, thank you guys for being cool and doing the occasional article for me. You’re both great at what you write.
Jenna, it’s crazy to think that I started writing for you with Arete four years ago. You’ve been a great writer to look up to and I really enjoyed being in the office with you for a semester.
Alexis, you’re my favorite. That’s it. Just wanted you to know.
Then there’s this year’s staff. You guys have made this year amazing. I love working with you every week and going to San Diego with you. We’re a family and I’m going to miss you all.
To Jackie, the truth is that I wasn’t quite sure if you could handle this job, and you completely exceeded my expectations. You’ve been an amazing Editor-in-Chief and you’ve done such an amazing job this year.
Christopher, you’re like my brother and I love you to death. That said, I’m still totally willing to steal that bat back if you do something wrong. I’m going to miss you so much.
Casey, you’re the best. I’ve loved spending the past couple years with you, and some of my best memories of working at the paper were with you. You’re going to make a great editor next year. I know that you’re the best person for the job.
Alyssa, I can’t wait to see your art everywhere. You’re so talented and so loud. Hugs.
Bri, I’m so glad you joined us this year! You’ve been a great editor and you’re a great writer. Stop questioning your skills in entertainment! You’re a damn good writer. Don’t doubt that, and you’ll do great in whatever path you end up on.
Angela, you’re so sweet and I will always love running into you at Trader Joe’s. I can’t wait to see where you end up because I know it’ll be somewhere great.
Jess Roberts, I think you’re legitimately one of the coolest and smartest people I’ve ever met. You’re awesome and I’ve loved having you in the office this year.
Sandie, I’m so glad to finally see you in this office! I feel like we’ve been passing each other in journalism classes for years without getting to know each other. I’m glad I got to discover that you’re crazy (in a good way). Best of luck with everything you do!
Taylor Kelly, my fellow English lover, I remember my first (ever) college class was with you four years ago. It’s crazy that we’re here already. I can’t wait to see what you do in the future, and I know it’ll be great.
Erin, Hamilton pride! I’ve had a great time getting to know you over the past year. I hope you have the best time in London next year!
Taylor Copp and Kyle, thank you for being boys. No, but really. Christopher would need so much more therapy if you guys weren’t here. Wish you both all the best!
Netta, Thank you for being a Photoshop god and for looking unfriendly enough to make sure no one sat in our row on the way to San Diego.
Kelly, I’m gonna miss you! I love talking to you and I love complaining about being overinvolved in stuff with you. I know you’re going to do great things, and I can’t wait to hear about them!
Fabiana and Jess Leahy, I loved getting to know you guys in our room in San Diego! You will both do so great next year!
Maggie, you’re truly one of a kind. I will never meet anyone else in the world like you, and it’s been a blast hearing your crazy stories.
To all of the students who pick this up over the summer, I have some advice. Get involved. Try things you aren’t sure you’d be good at. Talk to people you aren’t sure you’d like. Read books that make you question everything in your life. Most importantly, soak it all in. Before you know it, you’ll be putting on your cap and gown.
