Despite contrary belief I am not made of stone. I cry and laugh and feel, it’s just hard to notice I suppose. I am blunt and rough around the edges, and I have never been one for emotional ties.
But Texas A&M University-Kingsville and The South Texan changed that.
People used to tell me that high school would be referred to as the best years of my life. Those people are absolute liars. High school is actually something I’d rather purge from my memory, but college is a rather different story.
And I know I’m supposed to tell you about my magical journey through college, but everything that happened before December 2016 doesn’t really matter and I’d rather not bore you with the details so let’s fast-forward to when I joined The South Texan. I may have walked into the newsroom half-heartedly, but eventually I gave it everything.
It was here in the heart of Manning Hall, Room 165 where I met the most influential and significant people of my young adult life. I will remember and love them until I die, or until I forget, whichever comes first.
Iliana Flores, Aryssa Enriquez, C.R. Neal, Colby Sims, Plaserae Johnson, Dakota Roberts, America Quintero, Leti Torres, Kaitlin Ruiz, all the reporters and Crystal Zamarron gave life to this place. Some have already graduated and moved on while others are the future of the university’s media outlet, but each person was vital to me.
Iliana was the voice of reason inside my head, Aryssa was my pillar to lean on when things got tough, C.R. was logical in the midst of chaos, Colby was a savior in a time of need, Plas was the enforcer of justice, Dakota mellowed us out in times of high stress, America was our source of creative designs, Leti, Kaitlin and all the reporters kept us afloat and Crystal was our Red Ranger.
Family isn’t defined by blood, and I spent almost every day with these amazing people and watched as they became my family whether they knew it or not. As I’ve said I’m not a very open or emotionally tied person but family is very important to me. I love and truly appreciate my South Texan family, and I’m sorry if I didn’t say that enough. I would starve for y’all, and for me that’s saying A LOT.
During my life many women have been pivotal role models for me. My mom, Kelly, my aunt, Julie, my grandma, Alice, my sisters, Dollie and Kelci, my high school teacher, Mrs. Alice Berecka and my college professor, Dr. Pamela Wright.
I have always been one to see my mentors as heroines for the world to behold and Nicole Morris is a powerful heroine. Morris has been an essential part of my life for almost two years. She has helped shape me into who I am not only as a journalist, but as a person.
She is the mother of The South Texan, and I am eternally grateful to have been one of her cubs. I love her dearly. She is a heroine I aspire to be like. I know I’m better because of her, so thank you bunches. I won’t say more because I hate crying and I will look terrible. I hope you understand.
And while I’m at it I guess I should also thank Matthew Ward, the previous faculty adviser for The South Texan, who may have recruited me as a reporter for the newspaper and kick-started my exploration into journalism, but that’s not really why I’m thankful.
Matt Ward once introduced me to this dork sitting at one of the computers wearing square glasses, a black A&M baseball hat and an infectious smile.
That dork is actually the kindest, selfless and most caring person I have ever encountered.
So thank you Matt Ward for introducing me to Frankie J. Cardenas, the man I fell in love with. I am a ball of chaos, and he is my peace.
Thank you to the brilliant artist behind the camera. You are the Daniel Bryan to my Brie Bella, and the Jace Herondale to my Clary Fray. I love you, Dork. Thanks for keeping me sane as I sat on the Iron Throne of The South Texan.
I’m proud of my time here, and if one day I refer to college as the best years of my life I suppose I won’t be disappointed.
There are many people I want to thank, but in order to properly thank everyone I would need to write a book and frankly I don’t have the time with graduation around the corner.
So thank you Texas A&M University Kingsville and all the staff, faculty and students. I especially want to thank my parents for supporting me and loving me unconditionally despite being weird and extremely dorky.
David Bowie once said, “I don’t know where I’m going from here, but I promise it won’t be boring.” I agree with him, and on to the next adventure I go.