Coming into The D.O. I had very little experience writing for publications. I am still convinced that the only reason I made it onto staff this fall was because I showed up in house every single time I had a story. Besides that, I am not sure what Rose saw in me but whatever it was I am glad she did. Being a part of this community has given me an opportunity to learn and grow in ways beyond what I imagined when I was a scared little freshman walking into the culture room.

Mia Jones:
I think your positivity is going to make you an amazing culture editor. Even when I am stressed and complaining, you are happy to be at the DO and ready to work. Whenever I am worried about my story not being good enough, you respond by telling me to not sell myself short. Working with you is partly what kept me sane this semester. I can’t wait to see what you do with the culture section and I am just glad I got to work at The D.O. at the same time as you. Enjoy New York this summer and if you’re ever in Brooklyn and want to grab coffee, shoot me a text.

Spencer Howard
Thank you for giving me a reason to come into work after a long day of classes and stressing about being behind on all my assignments. I think we are forever bonded as the only PR and Ad majors at the DO amongst all the MNDs. Can’t wait to be washed up and go to future DO events together and have new staffers have no idea who we are. Please keep making funny TikToks. I think you are the closest I’ll get to being friends with a celebrity.

Ben Butler
It was cool to see your excitement and passion for the DO, especially moving from copy to head ed, which I am sure was really overwhelming. I know you were getting tired of pitching toward the end, but I think culture had a really solid semester. Enjoy being abroad next year, I know you will get a lot out of it. Good luck with everything and thanks for helping me out with my COM 117 project, I hope you don’t get recruited for any more of those.

Eliana Rosen
From when I read your first story, I immediately knew you were going to be working in-house and on staff. You were made for journalism. Your writing is incredibly good and I think becoming assistant is just the next step for you at The D.O. I am excited for you to read and edit my future work when I write the occasional piece as a senior staffer.

Charlotte Price
I really enjoy our conversations in-house. You always have the best takes and something funny to say. I hope that your cough clears up eventually. (I know it’s not contagious!) I think you are going to be an amazing journalist one day and I hope you learn to believe in yourself as much as everyone else at The D.O. does. If you need any more upperclassmen advice, I am always here.

Rose Boehm
You were my introduction to the DO and I will always be grateful for that. I’ll always remember the nights where you would tell me to go home and I’d insist on waiting to post in house. I did miss hearing French films and the same Clairo album two million times while I edited stories this semester. I think you are going to be a great managing editor, and I am really thankful that you gave me the opportunity to learn and grow in my writing.

Stephanie Wright
It was great being on staff this year because of how understanding and approachable you and Cooper were. I knew if I needed anything I could head upstairs for a quick conversation. I appreciate your honesty and straightforwardness. I wish you the best with everything post grad and I am excited to see everything you accomplish.

Cooper Andrews
When you did the final read on one of my stories for the first time I remember thinking how nice and funny you were. It’s been great having you as a managing editor. I’ll never forget your weirdly accurate impressions; even if you weren’t doing them in the culture room, I could usually hear them from upstairs. On stressful nights, you definitely added a positive and funny energy that I think the house really needed.

Mom, Dad, and Anthony
Thank you for reading every single one of my stories that I sent in the group chat. Thank you for responding with your favorite quotes and telling me that you are proud of me. Thank you for listening to me rant and putting up with my inconsistent calls and texts. Though you may not realize it, your messages and phone calls are what kept me going when I felt like giving up. I feel eternally grateful for your support and I know that no matter what, the three of you are all I need in this life. I love you and I hope to keep making you proud.

Published on May 5, 2025 at 3:57 pm
Contact Irene: iclekaki@syr.edu