I’ve been struggling to start writing this. It could be because I’m not quite ready to say goodbye, it could be because I’m at a loss for words to describe how deeply working at this paper has impacted my life.

I got a bit of a late start — I didn’t join the house until the spring semester of my junior year. A shy, little underclassman who dreamed of being a journalist but didn’t know how, I needed to be pushed out of my comfort zone. I transferred into Newhouse to begin studying journalism the spring semester of my sophomore year with dreams of working at The New York Times. After being rejected from a NYT mentorship program that summer, I set up a career advice call with The Times’s deputy director of early career programs. Her words were the push I needed: “You need to write for The Daily Orange.”

Here we are today. I leave The D.O. a better reporter, writer, editor and person with 37 bylines, a new staff position created, invaluable memories and lifelong friendships. Not to mention, I quite literally owe my future career in journalism to this paper — my dream of working (well, interning) for The Times has come true.

Everyone at The D.O. has played a role in shaping the journalist I am today, and words can’t encapsulate the gratitude I feel for the people that have made this place. Though I wasn’t working in-house this year and didn’t get to know everyone as well as I did during the spring 2024 semester, I am so proud of the work you all have done and will continue to do.

Kendall Luther: I had never written anything for The D.O. when you took a chance on me and hired me as your assistant. So really, I owe this all to you. Working with you on our AAS story (in our giggle chairs) might be my favorite thing I’ve done so far in this life. You are a natural leader, and one who is caring, considerate and compassionate — something the world is sorely lacking. I have no doubt you’ll do legendary work leading this paper as editor-in-chief. I’m so proud to call you my dear friend and I can’t wait for the next time we cross paths. You are a beacon of light!

Sammy Olander: Oh Sammy, how you inspire me! You’re a fantastic reporter and I know I’ve said this a lot, but you can’t give up on the journalism industry, because it needs you. We share so many amazing memories — from happy dancing after interviewing the Central Park Five together to um… that bar in Scranton… — that I will cherish forever. I can’t wait to make more. We’re going to have the best time in the city this summer. You are a shining star and I can’t wait to see all of the truths you dig up as enterprise editor.

Kyle Chouinard: I’ve said this probably too many times, but I truly look up to you. You’re a legendary journalist and I would be nowhere near as good of a reporter if I didn’t work under you as an editor. Thank you for making my time at The D.O. one of a kind, for teaching me invaluable lessons and techniques, and for being a trustworthy friend and colleague. I know we’ll work together again one day soon.

Stefanie Mitchell and Anish Vasudevan: You both always made me feel welcome at The D.O. even though I started with basically a blank slate. Stef, your maturity and wisdom made it so I had no idea you were a year below me. Anish, I couldn’t have asked for a better editor-in-chief to learn the ins and outs of student journalism under. Both of your leadership defined the high standards I hold my work to and I’m endlessly impressed by each of your accomplishments!

Bridget Overby: Bridget, you are a ray of sunshine! Or more like a firecracker. Or somewhere in between — in the best way. I am so grateful to have met you in spring ‘24. That one short semester gave me you, one of the most genuine friends I’ve met at Syracuse. I’m so in awe of your creativity and am always proud of you!

Griffin Uribe Brown: I’m sad that I won’t see you in person for who knows how long, but it’s super cool that the last time I saw you was when we reported together in Chicago. Thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone and for being the only boy in news spring ‘24. You’re an incredible journalist and I can’t wait to see where life takes you. Honored to be DJNF buddies. Always here for you to bounce ideas off of!

Claire Samstag: I miss you! I couldn’t have done asst. news without you by my side. Thank you for the countless laughs, honest talks, and trips to get lavender matcha and coffee. I hope you bring at least a little bit of your light back to The D.O.! Can’t wait to hang in the city this summer.

Stephanie Wright: I can’t thank you enough for being so receptive to my super random Slack message sharing my idea to create the DEIA manager position. You dove right in with me and I’m so grateful to have worked with you on this — it would not have been possible without your continued support. Though we never got to fully work in-house together, it’s been a joy to see you lead the paper to new heights. So excited to see what you accomplish next!

Lucía Santoro-Velez: You have such a bright future ahead of you! Your sense for design is so intuitive, you are so caring, and your creativity shines through all your work. I’m so grateful that you and I shared similar visions for The D.O. and that you were equally eager to dive into making change. I’m delighted to be passing down the DEIA manager position to you.

Olivia Fried: Your smile lights up every room you enter and you have such a powerful voice. I can’t wait to see you continue to use it — and to continue uplifting the voices of the voiceless — to drive change. Your pure heart and genuine care for others is so needed in this world. So excited to see what you do next!

Cooper Andrews: You’re so cool. It’s truly admirable how dedicated you are to The D.O., and I’m proud to have witnessed your growth into managing editor. Your humor is infectious and your presence is commanding. The depth of your reporting impresses me and I know you’ll do big things in sports journalism. I hope you stick with it.

Julia Boehning: Your work ethic is unmatched! I’m so grateful to have worked with you as fellow asst. news editors and so proud of your growth into news editor. You have killer journalistic instincts and I couldn’t be prouder that you’re serving as enterprise editor next year.

James Hoagland: I wish I had started to get to know you better earlier this year! You’re so talented. It was a joy to see you rise so quickly and you are so deserving of all the opportunities coming your way! I’m so excited to see the incredible things you’ll do for The D.O. and Central Current.

Cassie Roshu and Rose Boehm: You are both so talented! I also wish I had gotten to know you both better, but am so proud of the amazing work you have done and will do in management. Thanks so much for your continued support. So excited for you both as you enter your senior year!

2024-25 staff: You have so much to be proud of this year! Thank you all so much for your openness, curiosity and feedback when it came to my DEIA work. I appreciated you all attending the Sunday talks with our guest speakers with professionalism and good questions. Cheers!

2025-26 staff: You’ve really got a legendary lineup of editors coming in. I’m confident you’ll make waves and garner attention with your work. Don’t be afraid to ruffle feathers.

Published on May 6, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Contact Ahna: arflemin@syr.edu