Stepping into The D.O. for the first time, you can’t help but feel the institutional weight of the place. As someone fresh to campus, I felt like stepping into a movie set. There are so many stories in that house, not just hung up on the walls, but in the people who work so relentlessly to maintain it.

Working at The D.O. has been the greatest privilege and joy of my time at SU. I’ve never been part of a place as rewarding, both because of the work I’ve done and the relationships I’ve been lucky enough to make. You guys are some of my favorite people, and despite the unrelenting late nights, I was happy to spend every moment at 230 Euclid.

__________________

Stephanie
I think you’re the coolest person I know. I remember finding out you were going to be EIC last year and being excited but nervous, because I hadn’t developed a relationship with you in-house. How could I know that you would become one of my best friends? Working at The D.O. is so hard, but to do it with someone that I love and respect so much has made it possible. I’ve never met someone as capable as you. To balance leading with such grace, while ensuring the quality of our work is so impressive, and I don’t think people tell you enough. You also have so much fun, and you let me be silly. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so in synch with someone so quickly- you always make me laugh, and you never cease to brighten my day. I can’t stress enough how essential you were to keeping me able to do my job. I hope I helped you with yours. I’ll always look back with such fondness for the innumerable hours we spent on long print nights. Laughing with you has been an absolute pleasure. I’ll see you around.

Cooper
My first memories of you in-house were designing sports under your reign as SE. You made that section fun and comfortable (shoutout playing Led Zeppelin), and I count you as one of the first real friends I made in-house. I was so excited when I found out you were going to be ME this year. I knew how dedicated you were to the paper, and your respect for the work that we did in vis promised a rewarding year. I still can’t believe we walked home in the daylight after duck night last spring, but I was glad to do it with you. I love the energy you bring into the house, and I’ve had so much fun working with you this past year. Thanks for standing up for the vis section for me (I still remember that Lax spread me and Zak argued about). I’m excited to see all of the new adventures Mucus Man will get to go on now that you’re free.

Aiden
You and Cole are the dream team. I love/hated the amount of energy you put into revamping DME. But I’m happy with all the work we did. You work with a lot of grace, and seeing you handle such a difficult job with seeming ease is so impressive. I loved seeing you break out of your shell this year. It was a treat to hear your SpongeBob impression, you really are an onion. To never looking at another scorecard again!

Bridget
Fuck you! I love you! You took me under your wing last year, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to thank you enough. You’re literally who I want to be, and the level of coolness you have managed to gather is insane (stop! share some with the rest of us!). I felt so lucky to have someone to look up to last year, and someone whom I had so much fun working with. You scared me, and still do, but I also felt so comfortable with you immediately. I can’t lie, the moment I realized what you did as PD, I couldn’t help but want the position for myself. The late nights, the hectic scramble, it’s intoxicating, but you made it fun. There are two things you said that have stuck with me the most. One, that I should always protect my peace, and two, that I need to take what you did and keep going. I hope I made you proud. It all started with you.

Cole
Oh Cole. I think the biggest surprise from working here was you. Who knew I needed another brother? You make me laugh and roll my eyes more than anyone else. You hacked my Spotify and only wanted to listen to 3 artists (ruining my Spotify Wrapped…). But I couldn’t have done this without you. You work so hard, with so much diligence, and people don’t give you enough credit for that. Yes, you bring an unparalleled energy into the house, but you also bring a grit and work ethic to rival anyone’s. I trust your sense of design fully, and I’m grateful to be able to lean on you. Thank you for keeping the vibes high. I still can’t believe you didn’t know you were a headed. I guess I’ll see you around or something… Room 303…?

Ilana
I won’t lie. I knew you would be PD just weeks into working with you. You were just so eager! I love people who remind me to be excited about design, and you always did. The print paper is my baby, and I wouldn’t entrust it to just anyone (trust- I would have come back if I had to). But I trust you. I really do. You have a vision and a passion that will make me excited to open up the print paper next year. You also such have a wonderful energy and joy that you bring in house, and it helps everyone around you. All I ask is that you (1) keep the vibes high in vis (2) take what I taught you, and make stuff that’s way cooler (3) protect your peace. Please know I’m always in your corner, and if you ever need me to yell at a headed to fill out display copy, you know where to find me.

Flynn
I’m truly amazed by you. I can’t lie, sometimes I would look at illustration pitches and would just be so thankful I didn’t have your job. How you turn those pitches into works of art is incredible. Thank you for not only listening to my visions for print but also bringing them to life. I was never worried about the work you created. It was so nice to have someone I could trust. Also- shoutout to your messages in social the next day when you wished everyone was doing well. Let’s make coffee actually happen.

Sophia, Hannah and Lily
I’m so excited that you guys are staying in-house!! I’m glad we could brainwash you into staying. You guys put out such amazing work, and are such dependable people in-house.

Sophia
You are so cool! I love working with people that I want to be friends with. I know you’ll be so busy next sem, but I promise to make the next movie night when it happens. Cole and I can host this time.

Hannah
I’ll never been happier to have an illustrator in the room before making the basketball guide spread graphic. You saved me! And made that spread what it is. I’m incredibly excited to see what you do this next semester. And please, take some time for yourself! You’re maybe the busiest person in-house.

Lily
I love seeing your enthusiasm. It really is infectious. Thank you for sharing all of your stories with us, and yelling about a pull-out quote. I love people who bring a big personality into the house, and you certainly did. I’ll miss you and your energy.

Dakota
Crazy that the person I lived on the same floor with, I probably saw the least. You are such a hard worker, and I was grateful to have your presence in the house. Thank you for everything, Dagoata! I’m so glad to have met you. Also- I’m going to come to one of your dance performances next semester like I always said I would.

Joe
Wow! Truly a historic run. I’m so glad you decided to stay on one more semester. You are so dedicated The D.O. and it was a pleasure to work with you more closely. Thanks for making one of the cutest scribs of the year, who knew you could draw too??

Fall ‘24 headeds

Rose
Rosina! What a treat to get to know you this year. I almost forget you’re abroad sometimes, because your presence is still felt. Thank you for being a friend my first semester as PD. I had so much fun going to the farmers market with you. I always looked forward to distracting you from your work. Don’t worry, Cole and I will still come to bother you. You’re going to do amazing things as ME, and I’m so excited to watch you do it.

Zak
Making guides was a pain. Thank you for caring about the print part of it all. You never made me feel rushed or unimportant, and I really appreciated that. I had no idea what I was doing, but your diligence made it worlds easier. Not only did you care about your section, but you cared about all of the people in house. Thank you for making fall a breeze.

Julia
I don’t know how you got so much work done with your feet on the table. I loved seeing you blossom as NE, and I was glad to work with you.

Kaia
Even though we didn’t get to work too much together, I loved your energy in the house. And I loved getting fit inspo from you. I hope we can actually hang out now.

Lars
THANK YOU! Nothing in print would be cool to look at without all of the hard work on your end. You make me want to work harder. Seeing all of your success with your business is endlessly impressive but never a surprise. I respect you so much. Thanks for letting me annoy you all fall. I’m so happy to have met you, and especially to call you a friend.

Spring ‘25 headeds

Ben
I know this job made you want to crash out all the time. But I hope you know, you did such a great job. Thank you for giving me stories that I could have fun designing (shoutout David Lynch, shoutout Jabberwocky). I hope the (honestly outrageous) amount of speads we collabed on made you happy. I was so glad to meet someone that liked the same music I did, and was willing to listen to Elliott Smith at 2 in the morning. I’ll miss coming downstairs to make tea—though really, it was just to bother you.

Justin
I can’t lie, I was a little scared of you at first. I think the whole frat thing threw me off. But now that I’ve gotten to know you a little better, I know to not be. You’re a great leader, and always put out amazing work. But you’re also so kind and patient. You always take the time to ask how everyone in vis is doing, and I really appreciate that. I wish you all the best!

Duncan
I remember when you told me you didn’t want to be NE. That was the minute I knew it was definitely going to happen. You bring such a charm into the house, and also so much talent. I’m glad you get to take a break for the semester, you certainly deserve it.

James
Jimmy! I know everyone says this, but your presence in house is awesome. You so sincerely care about the work you do, and I love to see it. I can’t wait to see what you do as DME. It’s such an overwhelming job, but I know you’re going to do great.

Solange
Thank you for always being in my corner in the vis room. Especially when Stephanie wasn’t there, it was so nice to have another female presence. I’m so glad you took on the role of PE, you did a great job.

Davis
I vividly remember you walking around the house last year offering everyone bananas and asking if we needed anything. You are one of the most hard working people I know. But you are also one of the most caring. I always knew that if I ever needed anything, I could ask you. I honestly don’t know how the house will run without you. Thanks for being the DO mom. Please get some sleep.

Kendall
I’m so excited for you Kendall. Seriously, you are perfect. You balance such hard work with the ability to let loose and have fun. I’m excited to get to know you better this coming year, and even if we have to go to another silly Newhouse meeting, I’ll be glad to do it by your side.

Stephen/Chris/Kevin
You guys are the real backbone of this paper. Thank you for working so hard to make our jobs possible. And special shoutout to Kevin for defending print! I’m so grateful to you all.

Ahna
I’m so glad that I got to know you this year! You’ve done such wonderful reporting, and starting the DEIA position is no small feat. I hope to make you proud with the work that we do! I’m so excited for you!! Watch out NYT! And let me know if you have any availability on Sundays around 3 pm…

Mia
You are such a delight Mia! I love gabbing with you, and I was always happy to come downstairs and say hi. You’re going to do such an amazing job as CE, and I’m excited to see it. I’m glad to call you my friend, and I hope you won’t be too busy to hang out next sem.

Delia
My friend crush! You are so cool Delia! The fits, the vibe, c’mon. I’m so excited that you’re going to be NE, I just know SA/USEN/SGA (and all the other acronyms) will hate to see you coming. If you ever have free time let me know.

Henry
Thank god for your basketball (though I wish I made more of the shots I took). You are such a great addition into the house, and I’m so glad we bonded this year. Thank you for staying up for page checks and not making it look too painful. Though I remember you falling asleep on the vis couch… don’t worry, I still have that picture. I’m so happy to see you continue your journey in house!

Paulina
I can’t believe I didn’t know you before this semester. You have been such a delight to get to know more this year. You are truly such a lovely person, and have such a nice energy to be around. Going to the 9:30 was painful, but you made it bearable. I’m excited to be friends with you now that we’re free.

Fall 23’ Spring 24’ headeds & mgmt
You all made The D.O. a place I wanted to come back to. Every one of you made the work I did as a Design Editor feel important. It was such a pleasure to meet and get to know you all.

Mami, Papi and Diego
Thank you for caring every time I sent and Issuu link into our groupchat. Thank you for saving all the print issues I work so hard on. From Silver Chips to The Daily Orange, you have supported me every step of the way. I love you all so much. I hope I made you proud.

Sarina, MK, Sonali and Chloe
I’m sorry to have been such a distant friend this past year. But you guys are seriously my rock. I could not have done any of this if I didn’t have such a loving support system to come back to. You guys make me laugh the hardest, and make me feel the most loved. Thank you for supporting me. And especially to Sarina, thank you for keeping the light on for when I came home early Thursday mornings. I always knew I could vent to you about something stupid, and it would stay between us. I love you all so much! I promise to hang out with you all so much you’re gonna get sick of me.

__________________

I feel so fortunate to have found The Daily Orange as early into college as I did. It transformed my experience at SU and has defined it thus far. I’ve never been more proud of the work I’ve done, and of the people I’ve done it with. To everyone who’s worked with me, I wish you only the best! I can’t wait to see what you all do next.

Published on May 5, 2025 at 11:53 pm