“I have the D.O. at five” is the phrase I got used to saying, and my friends got used to hearing as I turned down dinner invites, movie nights, and basically any social activity this past year. Now that it’s come to an end, I find myself wondering what I could possibly do to occupy my time that will be as fulfilling and exciting as working in the vis room 4 nights a week.

I started my D.O. journey at the end of my freshman year. I had been in the photo slack all year and, like many people, I ignored it. In early April, I was walking to photograph Holi for the South Asian Student Association and got a slack notification that a photographer was needed for that same event for the D.O. I figured “i’m going anyway, i’ll just do it” and so I did. Afterwards, while editing, my computer crashed and I frantically texted Meghan Hendricks, who told me to come to the house and I could use the computers there. I was both in awe of and intimidated by the community that was present in the house; people laughing with and yelling at each other, all while putting a paper out. In the next year, I only took three more assignments until the end of March, when Lars Jendruschewitz dm-ed me telling me I should apply to be an Assistant Photo Editor. I replied, saying I would think about it, knowing in my head there was no way in hell I was applying for that.

One year later and I am leaving my position as Photo Editor of The Daily Orange with so much sadness, knowing this has by far been my favorite year of college.

Lars: I owe almost all of what I’ve learned at the D.O. to you. Thank you for spending countless hours training me to be the Photo Editor last semester and for all the Monday nights you came in this semester to tell me what I was doing wrong. Thank you for letting me rant to you about anything and everything. Thank you for reassuring me whenever I thought I wasn’t good enough. And of course, thank you for dm-ing me that fateful day last year and telling me to apply as an assistant photo editor. I hope you know that its because of you that I ended up having one of the best and most important experiences of my life. I’m eternally grateful for your mentorship and your friendship.

Leo: I am so proud of you! From photographer to Assistant Video Editor and now to Photo Editor, you have excelled in every role you’ve had. I am amazed at how quickly you were able to pick up the responsibilities of Photo Editor after having never been an assistant and having not gotten to work in-house very much previously. I feel confident leaving the D.O., knowing that you’ll be running the photo section and no doubt doing an even better job than those before you.

Ave: You make every day at the D.O. more fun! I love that we got to be confused newbs (your words) together this semester and I felt us both grow together over the course of the semester. From the very beginning, you were a dedicated assistant and I felt liek we got along so well. I loved getting to spend TWO nights a week with you this semester, and when I get back from Italy let’s please spend more time together!

Ella: ELLAAA!!! You are such a talented photographer and storyteller. From the day we met I felt like we got along so well and I am so happy to say that we are leaving this paper as great friends! You always made me feel so supported and loved. I am so excited for what you do next and can not wait to see you grow and flourish!

Brycen: Thank you for sticking with me this semester! I loved every time you would come back from an assignment and tell me how much you enjoyed it. Keep photographing stuff you love and exploring the world through your camera!

Joe: Oh my gosh, Joe. I don’t even know what to say to fully encompass how much I love and appreciate you. You have been one of my greatest friends at the D.O. and at Syracuse. You inspire me so much, and I keep learning from you every day. I’ll always view you as an inspiration, and not just because you’re the only person I know who would ask me to back up their hard drive while in a neck brace (iykyk). I’m so grateful for our friendship and I’m so excited we get to graduate together next May!

Lucía: You are literally the backbone of the paper, not only because you do the hardest job of us all, but because of your generosity and openness to everyone who comes into the house. You are one of the sweetest people i’ve ever met and the D.O. is truly losing one of its best with you. Never change(your personality or your music taste haha)!

Cole: COLE!! I’m going to miss you and your incredible over-heards. You never fail to make me laugh and you bring so much joy to the vis room. You are such an incredible designer and I can’t wait to see what incredible things you do in the future!

Flynn: The paper wouldn’t be half of what it is without you. You are so good at what you do and you handle your job with so much positive energy. I’m gonna miss my floor buddy! Enjoy your freedom! You deserve it!

Hannah: You are going to be such a good illustration editor! You’ve been such a dedicated and enthusiastic designer this year and I know you’re going to run an amazing illustration section. You have so much talent and I can’t wait to see it grow!

Stephanie: You really are our fearless leader! You’ve done such an amazing job this year and you should be extremely proud of yourself!! I loved having COM 505 with you this semester and getting to go through it all together. You are an extremely talented writer and a wonderful person who handled the stress and devotion this job requires with such grace. Congratulations on graduating! I know you’re going to do amazing things, and I can’t wait to cheer you on!

Cooper: You’ve done such an amazing job as ME this semester! You came in every day with a great attitude and friendliness to everyone in the house. Thank you for being such a supportive person to everyone in-house. You are such a kind and genuine person who I know will achieve great things!

Aiden: I know DME is a hard job, but you went above and beyond! I can’t tell you how many people this semester told me how much they loved the new Instagram graphics. I enjoyed sharing the vis room with you during dig meetings and will miss icebreakers!

Davis: It’s time for people to ask you what YOU need now! You have supported the whole house during wifi crises, website crashes, and even just being someone to talk to. I don’t know how the D.O. will run without you!

Duncan: There’s no one I would have rather shared a wall with this semester! You ran an amazing news section, and I was always so impressed with the stories you were putting out and the fun and supportive environment you created for your staff! I already miss hearing News watch the bachelor and read tarot cards. I know you’ll be loved wherever you go next!

Delia: I can see you running the NYT one day. You are such a dedicated writer and a sweet person! I remember our first coverage together at that micron town hall meeting in the middle of nowhere, where we basically were told not to mention any specifics about the meeting or the people running it (weird…) but I remember laughing about it with you, which made it such a fun coverage! Congratulations Delia! You’re going to do great!

Ben: I can’t tell you how much i’ve always loved working with the culture section! You guys produce the most fun stories to photograph! Your dedication to delivering interesting and relevant stories to the paper was so inspiring and I strive to have your passion!

Mia: Mia!! You have literally written some of my favorite stories from the D.O. Jabberwoky was AMAZING and I loved doing the food truck story with you last semester! I know you’ll do amazing as culture editor!

Justin: I know you have one of the hardest jobs doing sports journalism at a school like Syracuse. Know that I am so inspired by the way you ran your section, always making sure the stories you put out were second to none. Congrats on being done!

Noah: Noah, I’m sorry our first real interaction was me giving you the classic paper-in-a-box gift that says your secret santa gift hasn’t arrived yet. I’m glad to have learned though that you’re a fellow Yankee and jigsaw puzzle fan! You’re gonna do a great job with sports this semester, congrats!

James: James you are one of the sweetest people at the Daily Orange! I remember coming down for budget the first week and you immediately asking how I was and how transition was going for me, which I thought was so kind and considerate of you. You are absolutely a team player and someone who cares deeply for others which is why you’re going to kill it as DME! I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to see you thrive!

Savannah: I’m so happy that you’re going to be the next opinion editor! I could tell even from the start of your transitioning that you were dedicated to the role and that you’re going to have an amazing semester!

Illana & Sophia: Omg I can’t believe you guys are the next dynamic duo of vis!! You guys are both going to do amazing work, I already know it! Illana, you’re going to kill it with the paper and the music, and Sophia I know you’re gonna have the best designs at the paper and cultivate the best group! Congratulations to you both! Have so much fun!

Lily: LILY!! You are such a sweet, fun and overall wonderful person to be around! You bring so much light and energy to a group and I couldn’t have had more fun working with you this semester! You are such an incredible designer so I shouldn’t have been surprised to learn you were such an amazing writer too! The first story I read of yours blew me away! I’m so excited to read more from you!

Published on May 6, 2025 at 12:35 pm