My first year at Texas A&M was definitely not what I had dreamt my college experience would be. For as long as I can remember, I had always been promised that college would be the best years of your life — I certainly didn’t think so. I had no idea what I was doing; I felt lost, unable to decide what to do next or if I should stay where I was and do nothing at all.
The summer before my sophomore year of college, I decided to try to put myself out there again, but this time I would actually participate. I moved out of my old apartment and set my sights on getting involved with what was supposedly the best university in the United States.
When skimming through my weekly email from my Bush School of Government & Public Service advisor, I noticed a small string of text at the bottom: “Texas A&M’s student newspaper The Battalion is hiring.” And after summing up some motivation and two writing samples, I applied to be a life & arts writer at The Battalion.
And I wish I knew back then what I know now: This is where you experience that college promise from long ago; these are going to be some of the best years of your life.
When I was led into an interview room by a short brunette with an Iggy Azalea shirt and an even shorter guy with a Hawaiian shirt, I had no idea what to expect. But after I received the email that I was hired, I wanted to do the best I could.
I showed up to my first desk meeting scared and excited; I truly had no idea what I was doing, but I knew I needed to try. When my lovely desk editors pitched a story idea, I was the first to raise my hand, and that is when my life & arts journey truly began.
After my first semester, where I wrote about anything from a pastor to Draggieland auditions, I knew I was hooked. I remember sitting at a meeting reading over and over the editor application message sent in Slack. I wasn’t sure if I should apply, or if I was even qualified. However, about a day later, Theresa and Ian sent me a message encouraging me to apply, and the rest is history.
Well, not really.
At first being an editor was horrifying and difficult. I didn’t know anyone; I didn’t know what to talk about; I didn’t even know what an oxford comma was. I was dubbed by Ian as “one of the quiet people,” and for the first few months, I ran with that. However, after an interesting experience at a conference with some of my fellow editors, I broke out of my shell a little, and I came to some very important realizations.
I realized that the people I work with are actually pretty cool, not to mention smart, kind, driven and hilarious; I realized that my favorite part of each day was heading into the office and seeing each of them do, or say, something stupid; I realized that these were the people I held the most dear throughout my time at A&M; I realized that looking back, this is where all of my college memories will stem from. These are the people I met during these three years that I love the most, and it’s a comforting thought to know that as I leave this place I will always remember them and the time spent in that scary backrooms-esque area of the MSC.
To the editors of the past, Chris, Hannah, Chairs, Caleb, Nico, Sophie, J.M., Pranay and Tenny: Thank you all for giving me such a great foundation in starting as an editor at The Battalion. I miss each of you dearly. I love you guys.
To the editors of the more recent past, Isa, Kaleb, Braxton, Hilani, Adriano and Ashely: Thank you all for the laughs, memories and help as I began my second semester as an editor. Even though most of you are still around to grace us with your presence, I really do miss seeing each of you everyday in the office. I love you guys.
To the editors of the present, Matthew, Noah, Ava, Maeva, Josh, Julia, David, Zoe, Rocio and Steve: Thank you for a great final semester. I can not thank you enough for your support, companionship and The Office-like commentary. I could not think of a better group of people to be surrounded by as I say goodbye to The Battalion for good. I love you guys.
To Ian and Theresa: Thank you for giving me a chance. I owe all of my successes and friendship I’ve had here to you both. I love you guys.
To Kynlee and Mathias: Thank you for being the best leadership team The Battalion has ever seen. Thank you for your tenacity, kindness, flexibility and for putting up with all of these crazy things that have happened this semester. You both are incredible, not to mention some of the most hardworking people I know.
Kynlee, I have truly never met someone as hardworking and caring as you; you are so capable, and I can’t wait to see what you do in the future. I love you.
Mathias (Twin), you are so hilarious, smart and weird, but I love that about you. I have full faith that you are going to do great things and be surrounded by people who love you no matter where you go. I love you, and I’ll see you at Thanksgiving!
To Avery: I love you so much. Thank you for always supporting me and being there for me. Thank you for listening to me cry, rant and be over dramatic and for helping me lead our amazing desk last semester. You are truly one of a kind, and I am so proud of everything you have accomplished post-graduation.
To Sophia: Thank you so much for being someone I can always count on. Your sense of determination inspires me, and, from the bottom of my heart, I am so proud of you and all of the ways you have grown this semester. I am absolutely certain that you are going to lead the desk well next semester. Thank you for a great semester together!
And lastly, thank you to A&M for giving me The Battalion and providing me with so many opportunities to meet incredible people and do incredible things. This has definitely been the best, and most interesting, three years of my life. This is your Spring 2026 life & arts editor, signing off.
