Fate is a funny thing because you never know when fate actually happens. 

There are certain moments in your life that, as you look back on, you realize were clearly meant to be. These are parts of your life that shaped who you were, that you can’t see yourself without. 

However, attending Texas A&M was never on my “fate radar.” I came here because some of my high school friends were attending, so I thought it seemed right. I’m the first ever Aggie in my family, and I didn’t think about it much when I decided to come here. 

I also never thought I would be part of a newspaper. I came into college determined to be a doctor, a dream of mine since I was a child. Writing never seemed to fit that narrative, but walking past news stands every day between classes, it felt like a magnet was pulling me in, a calling I kept resisting. 

Upon reading some movie reviews I thought I could write better, and after meeting someone who encouraged me to apply, I landed on the opinion desk with no writing experience. I started writing and fell in love with it. I found a part of myself that was locked in a faraway chamber, just waiting to be discovered.

Because fate has a way of calling for you, and you can’t escape what life has planned for you. 

I’ve written about goth people, LeBron James being a feminist and my pookie-bear Marcel Reed. I got an award, then another one and then I think another — I stopped keeping track. I also might’ve been responsible for shutting down ticket pull, and I do apologize to the student body for that.

Then I became an opinion editor, something I never thought I’d be able to do. I helped others find what I found within myself, a wildfire that couldn’t be contained. I also worked alongside some amazing people who helped me become not only a great writer and editor, but also a better person. 

So, as I look back at my experience at The Battalion, it may not have seemed like it in the moment, but this was my fate. On a campus as vast as A&M, I found my place within the confines of a room in the basement of the MSC, and I found myself in it. 

Fate also led me to these incredible people:

Charis and Maddie, you were my inspirations as I came into the desk, and I’m grateful I could follow in your footsteps to become the writer I am today.

Isa, I literally wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. Thank you for shaping the person I am today, both in my writing and as a human. I share all my awards and accomplishments with you, and I’m thankful that you were not only the best editor one could ask for but also have become one of my best friends. 

Maeva, thank you for being the greatest co-editor to help me lead, my partner in crime. Thanks for putting up with my insanity this semester, because there’s no one else I wanted to run the opinion desk with other than you. I’m so happy with what we’ve accomplished together, and there’s nobody I’d trust more to run this desk in the future. Merci d’être dans ma vie.

To the opinion desk, Sidney, Wyatt, Aidan, Thea, Bethany, Abby, Marie and Prachi, I’m so excited to see what y’all do with your lives, and I’m thankful that I could’ve been a small part of it. Go and be great.

Kynlee and Mathias, thanks for being the best bosses and letting me run with the crazy ideas in my head. I’m forever grateful to both of you for taking a chance on me. To the rest of the editorial team, it has been a pleasure working with each of you. From random chats, crashing out over soccer teams and Nettspend reviews, y’all were the best part of my days. 

To my friends who have put up with me over the years: Kash, Madhav, Jacob, Shane, Christian, Sarina, Ana and Emily, I’m so glad to have y’all in my life.

Finally, to Mom, Dad, Sarah, Jayden and Fisher, thank you for being my greatest supporters and critics; I would not be here today without your love and support. 

As my time here concludes, I thank fate for bringing me here. I thank it for showing me this newsroom and everyone who impacted my life. Because other than fate not telling you when it comes around, it also doesn’t tell you to accept it into your life. That’s for you to decide, for you to choose.

And I choose The Battalion in every lifetime, just like it chose me.