Walking into this house for the first time in 2022 for a weekly photo meeting as a contributing photographer, I had no idea how much this place would eventually shape me. As one of the few art photography majors but deeply involved in student journalism, I often felt out of place, while everyone else in my major was creating art, all I wanted was to cover sports games. At the time, I felt a little lost. But through covering everything from sports and concerts to breaking news, protests, and encampments, I gradually found the direction I wanted to pursue.

I joined the DO as an in-house staff very late, not until my senior year, but luckily, it wasn’t too late. I still had time to meet a group of people who would later become not just friends, but more like family. In this house, I learned a lot, met so many talented individuals, and created countless memories I’ll always cherish. Joining The Daily Orange was the best decision I made during my college years.

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Cole Ross: Yay Cole. Becoming a design editor was one of the best decisions I ever made. For some reason, I used to think you were a quiet and serious person, but you’re not. You’ve been the best VIS207 (DO version) mentor. I still can’t believe I didn’t even know how to use Adobe Illustrator at the beginning of the semester. Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to create so many good graphics. You brought so much good energy into this house, I’m gonna miss you so bad.

Lucía Santoro-Vélez: Lucia! Thank you for hiring me as a design editor. You’re one of the most talented people I’ve met at The DO. Whether it’s spreads or the sports guides, your designs are really incredible (and you definitely have the best music playlist in the house). Thank you for everything you did this year, the team wouldn’t have been nearly as tight-knit without you. Congratulations on becoming the new DEIA Manager, you’re gonna be amazing!

Sophia Burke: Sorry Sophia, when I told you there was a 20% chance I would duck and an 80% chance I would stay, at that moment, I really thought I would stay in this house until graduation. Our friendship probably began on that snowy night after the first DO party this semester, when you and I, when I was still on crutches, struggled to make our way home. You’re incredibly talented and so supportive, and you’re going to be an amazing DDD ( if you ever need any help, just text me!). I hope we’ll have the chance to meet in Shanghai one day.

Stephanie Wright: Chiefanie, we made it, we survived from the publication design class! You were one of the reasons I didn’t drop that class. Honestly, at the beginning of the semester, I really wanted to quit. Thank you for choosing me to be the video editor, and for always listening patiently whenever I walked into the management room with some silly ideas to pitch. The story we did on On the Fly Diner is one of my favorite memories from last semester, and we even made it into the finalists! Happy graduation, can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll accomplish in the future.

Rose Boehm: Miss you a lot, Rose. I’ll never forget the week Toaster’s story got 1.8k likes on Instagram, or the day we went to Wolff’s Biergarten to watch Arsenal vs. Man City, Trossard’s red card, and John Stones’ 97th-minute goal. Doing videos for the culture section was one of the things I was most passionate about last semester, and I’m really happy with how everything turned out. I do wish our last time seeing each other before you went abroad hadn’t been in the hospital, I must’ve looked so weak sitting in that wheelchair. Thank you for live-streaming the Secret Santa gift exchange to me, and for the newspaper full of handwritten messages, they made me rehab faster. Congrats on becoming the managing editor, the day you come back to the house, I’m giving you a big hug.

Aiden Stepansky: Yayy Aiden, you did such a great job as DME this semester! It was such a great experience working with you. I had so much fun during the dig meetings and icebreakers. Honestly, when I first saw the assignment with nine spinning football players to draw, I felt a little hopeless. I really thought I had been added to the wrong channel. Next time we meet, I’ll draw a spinning Aiden.

Justin Girshon: I still remember when I first checked captions for the BWP video, the first mistake you pointed out was that I had spelled “Girshon” wrong. You’re such a fun person who brings so much joy. I can’t really put it into words, but you know how much I love working with you. I just wish I had visited the sports room to say hi more often this semester.

Cooper Andrews: Your “phones off Wi-Fi” audio is going to stay in my Slack favorites until the day my phone breaks. Covering the melo story with you was one of the most fun assignments I got to be part of this semester. I’m still sad I didn’t get a photo of you interviewing him, that would’ve been so lit. I promise I’ll cover more sports games next semester, so we can still run into each other at the Dome.

Zak Wolf: B.W.P. It means everything.

Aiden, Justin, Cooper, and Zak: Yayyy Sports! Thank you all for always being my biggest sports photo fan, it really means a lot to me.

Hannah Mesa: Every Monday and Wednesday, we meet at the house and start sketching all kinds of sports illustrations and graphics. I’ve lost count of how many footballs, lacrosse sticks, and basketball courts we’ve drawn. Your illustration work is incredible, and I’m so happy to hear you’ve recruited so many new illustrators! Congratulations on becoming the new Illustration Editor, you’re going to do an amazing job!

Flynn Ledoux: GOAT. DO’s illo couldn’t live without you, you’re truly the backbone of the paper. Every week, one of the most fun things was watching you update different illustrations across all the section visual channels, it felt like watching a new cartoon series with surprise drops every week. Also, we’re so good at beer pong, I hope we’ll get the chance to be teammates again.

Ilana Zahavy: You always walked into the visual room on production nights with a big smile, full of energy, and sat down on the floor, even when there were plenty of chairs around. Congratulations on becoming the Presentation Director!

Dakota Dorsey: Dakota! I still remember realizing you were in-house staff last semester while I was taking attendance as the TA for VIS301. Somehow, it feels like we’ve seen each other more often on the stage at Schine Student Center than at the DO house. You always shine so brightly on stage, I hope I’ll get the chance to design lighting for your showcase next semester!

Lily Zuckerman: You always brought so much energy into the room! The restaurants you recommended were amazing. Congratulations on joining the Culture section next semester, you’re gonna be great!

Bridget Overby: Bridget, I’m so happy we got the chance to meet and work together. You’re the person who would give me a huge hug whenever we ran into each other, and you were one of the first people who made me feel the place like home when everything still felt so unfamiliar at the beginning.

Spencer Howard: I’m so glad to have you as the assistant video editor. The video section won’t be so good without you. You wouldn’t know how excited I was when I heard from Stephanie and Rose saying that there’s someone who really fits the position. Thank you for being in front of the camera every single time, you are really talented, glad you had a great time with the culture section this semester.

Davis Hood: You finally don’t have to worry about the house’s Wi-Fi problems anymore. I’ve lost count of how many times Apple’s autocorrect changed “Davis” to “David” when I tried to type your name. Thank you for fixing so many of our video embed issues, and, most importantly, the bike. I’m really glad that the battery is good, and I hope it helps whoever’s work. Congrats on finally having some time to rest, go get some sleep!

Ben Butler: The first time I met you was last semester while covering Juice Jam, the music at the Dome absolutely destroyed our hearing. It was so much fun covering the 24 hour deli story with you and Mia, I still can’t believe we stayed there for almost 12 hours. Comparing the photos of you from that day to the ones from Water Street Bagel, I honestly can’t believe what this position has done to you. I hope you’ll get all your energy back after ducking.

Mia Jones: I’m still a little sad that I didn’t finish editing the food truck video, it could have been such great content. You’re such a wonderful person, friend, and writer, and you’re going to be an amazing culture editor. I can’t wait to see all the success the culture section will have under your leadership next semester! (And feel free to text me if you ever want to make a video for any story!)

James Hoagland: Jimmy!! You’re such a great person, I’m really, really glad I got the chance to meet and work with you this semester. Congratulations on becoming DME next semester, you’re going to do an amazing job!!!

Cassie Roshu: Cassie, seeing your instagram stories update every day — from playing chess to watching sunsets to traveling — has become one of the small joys in my life lately. Miss you a lot, and I can’t wait to see you this fall.

Solange Jain: I know this semester hasn’t been easy for you, being photo editor is such a high-pressure role, but you did an amazing job. It’s been great to watch you grow and step out of your comfort zone. Enjoy your study abroad in Florence next semester and see you at commencement next year!

Leonardo Eriman: I’m so happy to see you take over as assistant video editor this semester. It’s a little bit evil, but it was so much fun watching you work on those BWP videos. You’re such a talented photographer, especially when it comes to sports. Congratulations on becoming a photo editor next semester! From video to photo — maybe design editor one day?

Brycen Pace: It’s been so great to meet and work with you. Brycen, you’re the best basketball player among all the photographers — and the best photographer among all the basketball players. You literally carried us at the Media Cup this year.

Avery Magee: Ave! During the recruitment, when Solange mentioned that there was someone named Avery and has a really good vibe, I didn’t have a clear idea of what to expect. But after getting to know you, you’ve brought so much good energy and joy to the photo section. Suggesting doing a Syracuse city and campus general photo coverage as the new semester’s photo meeting’s topic was truly a genius idea.

Lars Jendruschewitz: Lars, I know you hate me saying that, but I really love the energy you have, can’t believe you’re gonna be a junior soon. I really miss the day we worked together. I was a little bit surprised when you told us you won’t pursue photojournalism as your career, but still, all the best wishes on your own photography business. Everyone go follow @photosbylars_ on instagram.

Elvis, Daniel, and Manta: Over the past two years, you’ve listened to me say “I’m retiring from The Daily Orange after this semester” more times than I can count. From high school to college, I wouldn’t be who I am without you all. Even though we’re not always in the same city — or even the same country — you’ve always been my biggest supporters. I’m so excited that we’ll finally get to see each other this summer!

Everyone else at The DO: Thank you all for making these years unforgettable. It’s been such a joy to meet and work with all of you.

It’s always hard for me to say goodbye, but it’s time to wrap up.

于道各努力，千里自同风。

Published on May 5, 2025 at 3:59 pm