Duck: Sydney Brockington
Asst. Culture Digital Editor, Spring '24 | Asst. Copy Editor, Spring '25 Jalyn Cronkrite | Contributing Illustrator
When I started off at the Daily Orange as a freshman, I didn’t know what to expect. When I was first approached to do a story for the Culture section, I never knew how long my tenure with Culture would be. Moving from a Contributing Writer to Assistant Digital Editor to Staff Writer to Assistant Copy Editor has been amazing. I thank culture for all it has taught me and I look forward to continuing writing for the section as a Senior Staff Writer.
As a freshman who didn’t really know what Syracuse would bring them, I am eternally happy that the D.O. came into my life and gave me a new hobby and home at SU. There are a number of things I have learned throughout this role I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else. Working in house for two semesters has truly been formative and will always stand out when looking back on my undergraduate career.
There have been so many amazing people I have crossed paths with both in and out of house and through the many interviews I’ve done. Learning about different communities and people through the D.O. has been such an amazing experience that is truly one of a kind to the D.O. I have gained immense knowledge on the communities around me and I thank the D.O. for giving me that opportunity.
As I reflect on my time at the D.O., there are a number of people I want to thank for all that I’ve learned and the experiences I’ve had over these past few semesters.
Kelly Matlock: Working with you my first semester in house was amazing. I learned so much from you. Thank you for guiding me through my dig experience and being a helping hand whenever I needed it. You’re an incredibly talented writer and can’t wait to see you around campus next semester!
Ben Butler: It was so great working with you this semester. Your easygoing personality and funny remarks made culture a fun and happy place to be. Thank you for always giving me the coolest stories and helping me with copy. Thanks for everything!!
Rose Boehm: It was so great working with you in culture last Spring. I loved bonding over being UCAs for PST 101 and talking all things Newhouse x Maxwell. Journalism and Policy Studies forever!
Olivia Boyer: Liv!! I miss seeing you around campus and can’t wait to see you around again. I loved working dig side by side with you. The graphics you pitched would always give me inspiration. You have this crazy ability to always make people laugh and smile. Can’t wait to see you soon.
Spring ‘24 Culture Staff: I learned so much from each and every one of you during my first semester in house. You all were so supportive and absolutely killed it last year.
Spring ‘25 Culture Staff: I’ll miss seeing you guys in house all the time. You all produced such great work and can’t wait to see what you all do next.
Friends and Family: Thank you for always supporting me in everything I do and guiding me throughout the way. Sorry about talking about the D.O. so much!
Thank you for everything D.O.! I can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings.
