nickhodge6
Club & Greek

A Little Help From My Friends

Many of you out there see this newspaper every week. Some of you walk by it; others may pick it up and check out the front page; and some of you beautiful folks even open it up and read through it. Without you, the reader, this is all pointless, so thank you.

I suppose I should begin with the professors. 

Professors make my life crazy. It is because of them that I have so much work to do all the time. But it is also because of them that I am able to write to you in this newspaper today.

Professor Morano, somehow I managed to wander over from the computer science department to the communication building one day and end up in your class. Me being a newly declared, “undeclared” major, I wasn’t sure what to do. I sat in intro to journalism and listened to you tell us why we should listen to you and trust that you know what you’re talking about. You told your story and I felt inspired. Thanks for that. I’ve heard that story four times now and every new class I have with you I look forward to it. For all the help you have given me, things you have taught me and times you have guided me; thank you.

Dr. Novek, in your editorial writing class I realized that to be a journalist, to really do this, I’d have to step up and really work hard. Thank you for that lesson. Ethics reminded me that every person is an individual, every action has a reaction and we need to be aware of that, both as writers and as human beings.  You’re door has always been open for me and you’ve always given me honest advice. Gracias.

Dr. Ferg, every class I have taken with you has been a blast. You’ve introduced me to so much music and opened my eyes to the behind-the-scenes aspect of the music industry. I always look forward to class with you and it was awesome to meet Jacob after reading his book. Rock on.

Well, after that first intro to journalism class I walked over to the Outlook and found out how I could write.

nickhodge8Jenna, thanks for deciding to give “one of the noisy boys from upstairs” a chance to write for you. We’ve been around each other a lot since then and you went from my bossy editor to my bossy friend. You always put up with my shit and were always there to listen to me rant, or watch some homeless dude show us how we can become billionaires by blogging. Can’t wait to see where The Traveling Circus ends up.

The Outlook became a family to me. A family full of all sections of people, from politics to entertainment, and we all shared a common canvas. Each week we work hard to come up with dozens of stories for you to read, and we do our best to package them between the catchiest front and back page we can.

And on Wednesday mornings you get those papers. I know you do, because not only do I help put them together, but last semester I helped deliver them. And I have to say, waking up at 7:00 am every Wednesday, tired from Jack’s the night before, for minimum wage… is totally worth the opportunity to zip around campus in a golf cart for two hours. To Eric Kaighn who is still going strong this semester, thanks for all the great times. And Ryan Clutter who so graciously took my spot, thanks for taking over the wheel (literally). It’s been fun slaving away over papers with you these past few weeks. Drive safe dudes.

Eventually, I took over the section you are currently reading right now, the Club and Greek section. I never really was into Greek life, but I must admit I think it’s awesome what a great community you all have and it has been a pleasure being able to share a part in that. Same goes towards all the clubs on this campus who bring together strangers and inspire friendships through a common interest. Turns out those “grown-ups” had it right when they told us to “get involved.”

The entire 2011/12 Outlook staff. What we had in this office was pretty special, pretty weird and pretty great. The Applebees trips, Seattle, the weird amount of jokes that might make us seem like escaped mental patients who somehow found ourselves running a college newspaper… the sleepover, Seattle (worth saying twice). What a year we had.

Gina, I’ve seen you giggle and I’ve seen you cry over this newspaper and you’re passion is inspiring. Thanks for taking me on board, making me feel at home and always being there to answer a question for me, no matter how ridiculous. You’re the strongest person I know and I’m so grateful I can call you my friend, and who knows maybe one day you’ll even be my editor-in-chief again.

Anthony, “Bee…oh…dee…” the Wall Street Journal still hasn’t called, but your leads at the press inspire me every day that there is hope for me in this profession after all. You are the laziest, hardest-working cheap-skate I’ve ever met. A great man once said, “I say let’s let bygones be bygones. If you took the raisins, if you didn’t take the raisins. They weren’t even my raisins. I was just curious because it seems like a strange thing to do, to walk into a room, audition, and walk out with a box of raisins.”

Matt, you could always make me laugh, where it was an actual funny joke or just an awkward attempt at a lackluster punch line is irrelevant. It was always reassuring to know there was someone in the office I could talk to about any form of entertainment and have a guaranteed conversation. By the way, I started watching Community and I love it.

Jooo00oOOO00aana, I always loved hearing about your daily bowel movements and yelling your name in the most obnoxious way possible. I’m glad you’re having a good time in NC.

This year has been equally as crazy. With the 2012 class leaving us we suddenly found ourselves in charge. I certainly didn’t expect to be here when I walked into this office three years ago, but I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.

nickhodgeBrett… god dammit Brett. I can’t even write your name without shaking my head. You started out as the other dude my age who was cool enough to have a “Devil Wears Prada” sticker and a Warped Tour flyer right next to each other. I knew we would get along and I think you did an awesome job running this newspaper, I know it wasn’t easy. From Say Anything concert’s to rocking out to The D, dude… I’m totally gonna miss you.

Edward Morlock, THE KING A THE NAWTH! How can I possibly sum up our friendship in a small paragraph buried in the Club and Greek section? All the happy hours, parties, times in the office, times in Morano’s class, times talking about Morano’s class, (did you do the reading?), War and Peace, THRONES, zebra pants, la-la-la. It’s been fun, it’s been a lot of fun. Ya hear that?

Ad-girl, Kelly, ATG, GTA, Barter-queen, Brocolli, kellybrocket! Sharing this corner with you all year has been a blast. I love rocking out with you and our similar music tastes, (except when you put on country). I love bothering you, bartering you. Most of all I’d like to thank you for supplying us with food every week… I mean for being such a great friend.

Alexis, you were my first real writer. You might be the only writer I’ve had that I’ve actually met in person. You were a magnificent assistant editor, I can’t write that without laughing, god dammit Brett. You’ve been a great friend, always full of energy and craziness. If you ever lose your keys and need help just give me a call. Alexis, I’m sure you’ll always have great things ahead of you, and at the very least great things behind you.

The Outlook ladies, Nicole, Alyssa, Casey and Nana. Thank you for keeping Orlando in line, I know it’s been a hard job. Nicole, thank you for keeping me out of a state of depression when Sirius Black met his demise, it was a very rough time for me and I’m glad you were there to talk me through it. Alyssa, the loudest artist I know, the office really wouldn’t be the same without you, I’ll never forget our art critique of that painting of a house we saw when we were in San Fran. Casey, I’m not quite sure when you decided to embrace your inner wolfe, but it’s hard to imagine there was a time when you were quiet in the office. Thanks for letting me use your Global Comm book. Nana, the fact that you somehow always manage to stay calm when all hell is breaking loose in this office is remarkable, I enjoy your visits when you need to staple your papers.

Maggie, you are one of the nicest and sweetest people I know. Between Greg seducing your entire suite and you being a staff member at the Outlook, it’d seem me and you were destined to be friends. I’m going to miss you a ton next year. Never stop being you.

Orlando, keep up being awesome. You’ll be running this country soon enough. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, sharing classes, this office, and your friendship. God bless you next year, the girls in here are lunatics. Hopefully they don’t see that, but in case they do, you’re all beautiful and special. And Chris, that’s when you would tell me “nice save.”

Ray Bogan, thank the rock gods that you happened to play that first open mic I covered. You’ve been a great friend and a great musician. Looking forward to our jam sessions every Thursday has helped get me through each week. Here’s to many more.

Alex Chase, I never met anyone who changed their name before; I’ve also never met anyone who can pull off wearing a fedora so brilliantly. I can’t wait to read your novel this summer. Keep up the flawless comma placement.

Jackie, good luck next year. You’re going to do great. I know Brett and I haven’t made your life easy as of lately, but if you can deal with us you can deal with anyone. 

Sandy, we’ve certainly been through a lot. Thank you for always being on my side, always giving me the card and never being afraid to shake your head at me and call me an idiot. I don’t know what myself, or this office would do without you. I don’t know what else I can say except thank you, thank you so much for everything.

Evelyn, mi Puerto Rican mama. Gracias por todo. Tu es bonita… okay I don’t know enough Espanol to type out your paragraph completely in it. But, thank you for raising us these past four years. I wouldn’t be who I am today if not for you and I’m blessed that somewhere down the line you ended up working in this building at the same time as me. Thank you for everything you’ve ever done for us, for me and for this University.

nickhodge5Finally I have to mention two very important people because without them I don’t know where I would be today. My roommate, my best friend, my brother, Greg Cenicola. I won’t get too personal here, but Greg, I couldn’t be more proud of you and honored to call you a friend. This has been one hell of a time. And Nicole Sidari, my other best friend, my girl. We’ve sure been through a lot at this school; it’s been incredible growing up with you and experiencing all aspects of life together, I can’t wait to see what comes next. You two are my family, thank you for always being there for me, through thick and thin. I love you both more than words can describe.

What a ride it has been at Monmouth. It’s sad, you spend four years trying to establish a life for yourself and once you finally have it it’s time to leave. I’m lucky to have had the privilege of ending up at this beautiful school. The squirrels, the hawks, the golf carts, the dining hall, Pinewood, Nintendo 64, Redwood, the 6:00 am basketball game, springfest, random nights at the beach, the Brighton ave fire, Stop and Shop, the phoneathon, 22 Cedar and finally The Outlook.

I’ll never forget a minute of my time here because it has made me who I am today. The tour is over, we survived.

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