Every time I tell people I major in Applied Data Science, I quickly follow with: “but I do photography for a living.” At least now it is…

I’ll be honest I had no clue what The Daily Orange was coming to Syracuse, I didn’t even know colleges had student newspapers. It’s funny, I packed my camera bag for fun coming to Syracuse last year. I planned to just shoot outings with my friends, random runs at the courts and whatever else I could find. I had no real intention to keep this high school photography phase going. Until one day, I got DM from:

Lars: To think had it not been for that Instagram DM, I never would have ended up at the DO.You have no idea how grateful I am that you took that shot with me. From every lesson to every late night text asking for advice, thank you for always being in my corner and showing me support.

Ave: To my in-house partner in crime… I know you’ll do great as Photo Editor. I would’ve never made it through this semester without you. You came up clutch so many times from assignments to covering in-house and I was so lucky to get to work with you. This job is never easy, but I’ll be here if you ever need to talk, rant or just hear a friendly voice. While the weeks feel long and draining, just know the outcome and the experiences from your time at the desk will be life changing, cause once you know it, it’s over. You’ll be fine… trust me. Have Fun!

Solange: Thank you for taking me in under your wing in the Spring during my limited time in-house as Assistant Video Editor. From being in-house like 2 hours a week to where I am now, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your guidance and kindness teaching me how to thrive in this new position. You are so incredibly friendly and nice you showed me that while this job may test you, you could still always be a good person at heart. Hope your time abroad has been a treat, and I can’t wait to see you when you’re back!

JOEEE: You are the literal backbone of the paper! You found yourself thriving in everything single thing you did for the DO and seeing you absolutely kill whatever you were asked to do was treat to see. Joe, you are so incredibly talented and I know you have such a bright future in whatever path you go down!

Cassie: Whenever you randomly redownloaded Slack to check it out, you clutched up! Thank you for helping me this semester whether it was picking up two assignments or just listening to me rant in class after a print night. It was blast getting to know you and excited to finally be on the other side with you!

Cooper: It was one of my first nights in-house as an Assistant Video Editor and you just walked up to me with your loud energy and said “Leo. You are coming to Duke with me. You in?” Yah, I won’t lie… I had no idea who you were at that time. Fast forward to now, we’ve covered over 1 thousand miles together. We’ve visited some pretty awesome places, hopefully we have a good amount left during basketball season. In all seriousness, thank you for always believing in me. To know that an incredibly skilled writer like yourself admired my photos made little freshman me all happy. You made me believe “this photo thing could work out.” Unlike your Bears, you are going places. Whatever outlet, team or paper you end up at will be extremely lucky to have you on their beat. Excited for one last ride.

Justin: I sometimes wonder what if Leonardo never texted you to shoot the Holiday Bowl almost a year ago. Honestly a piece of me thought you would say no to this random freshman, but you gave me a shot. It was you that snowballed my chances to work in-house and the opportunity to travel shooting. Your standards when you were Sport Editor were nothing short of exceptional and whenever I shot a story for you, I always aimed to meet those standards. Your skills and leadership are unmatched and I’m excited for the season to come. You have bright things ahead of you!

Zak: I think it’s funny how we never worked in-house together yet I’ve traveled nearly the most with you. Every trip with you has been an absolute blast and I’m excited for some fun ones in the Spring.

Aiden: You helped me find my way in-house, helped me feel like I belonged. I remember my first late night working in-house. I swung by to edit at the house after the Duke MBB game, little did I know it was a print night. Despite your workload, you sat with me in the vis room. I don’t know if it was to speed me up or was to actually talk, but for some reason you sat there talking and hanging out with me, I’m grateful for it. Keep killing it one story and pitch at a time. Big opportunities are coming to you!

Noah: My boy! I’m pretty sure every late night this semester we swapped rooms and always have some random fun conversations to end our stress-filled prodos. It was a blast being the sports x photo editor duo this semester and I’d like to say we did a solid job. That’s because of you making my life easy and always working with me. You led the section well and did some pretty cool stories while in the chair! Enjoy your time aways, you have a bright future when you come back!

Mia: Your dedication to the craft and writing skills are insane. Your creativity and efforts to go the extra mile in every story you do is what makes you such a great leader and writer. It was a blast to talk almost everyday about stories and coverages. Congrats on ending your time here on such a high note! I’ll be rooting for you!

Delia: YOU did it! I know it was a stressful jam write up packed semester but you did it, not only that but did it extremely well. Your skills as a writer, a leader, and as a friend are absolutely extraordinary and those traits are why you will go so far in this world. I’ll always miss News’ late laughs and watch parties. For one last time to you and your staff… Good Night News!

Savannah: You killed it this semester and pushed out some amazing pieces like the IU Edit Board. WOW! Your editorial skills are unmatched,watching you transform and elevate your section stories to new heights was something special. It was a fun semester, congrats on being free!

Sophia: You are one of the kindest and sweetest people in the house, yes I mean it. I remember our first week transition last semester and despite me barely working in house before that, you always made the effort to ask me how I was. I just thought that was the nicest thing. It was such a fun semester to be able to work with you, and I’m excited to see what you do next. Go kill it!

Ilana: I don’t think there was a better person I could’ve shared a room with. Working with you this semester has been a privilege. Seeing your creativity and talents bring new light to the paper was amazing. I don’t know how you do it, but you got this and you will always have the DO family supporting you those late nights!

Ike: You are so talented man! Your eye and dedication to the visual world is insane (like you) and I know you will go far in whatever route you take. Thanks for sticking with me this semester, you are good friend! Good luck and enjoy another one in the house!

Chris: Watching your skills grow over the course of the semester has been a treat, you’ve killed it in-house and on every assignment this semester. Your theater photography is BEAUTIFUL. Enjoy your time aboard, you’ve earned it!

Addie, Caroline, Lily: The Print Designers! Y’all are all so incredibly talented and your vibes keep the Viz room going every Wednesday night! Addie: the energy, joy, talents and laughs you bring to the room and the paper is unmatched. I can’t wait to see what you do in the future (ps: I’m here if you need an iSchool friend.) Caroline: my philosophy partner and the person who saved my halloweekend. Your design skills are absolutely insane and it’s been a blast getting to know you this semester. Enjoy your time abroad! Lily: bet you can’t guess where I wrote this… it’s blast getting to know you this fall. Your attention to detail and creativity in your pages are amazing and I’m excited to see you kill it next one. To all of y’all, keep killing it one page at a time. All from me!

Mauricio, Harris, Jordan: Y’all’s killed it in-house this semester and have such bright futures here at the DO. From the nights in Sports to the jokes in Viz, it was always fun chatting it up with y’all. Mo: between Haven and the basketball classic we’ve shared a lot of fun moments. What I’ve learned from it all is that you are funny, skilled and you will go far in this industry. Just remember you have to take it one step at a time, you’ll get there. I know it. Harris: going with you to Bishop Grimes helped me see that you’re chill, you have a devotion to this craft and want to go the extra mile in everything that you write. You’ve done some amazing profiles and it’s only up from here You got this. Jordan: my guy from the best coast. You’re humble, you put your head down and kill whatever you are assigned to write. You’ve skyrocketed this semester and I’m excited to read push out next.

Kendall: Thank you for taking a risk with me, you gave me a shot and hired me for a position that I didn’t even think about applying for last semester. Thanks for your constant support throughout the semester and always believing in me. Continue leading the paper to new heights and breaking news one day at a time.

Rose: Let me start by saying this… I’m sorry for ghosting you. This semester has been a blast and I’m grateful to have had you in my corner throughout it. I know you always had to calm down the Vis Room late nights but we always appreciated when you swung up and joined in on the laughs with us, it was a pleasure Ms. ME! And until next time 🫡

Jimmy: My west coast brother! We know what bonded us. Thanks for always being a chill guy to talk to in–house and hang with during those long nights. Enjoy your freedom and having a normal screen time! Catch you around soon!

Griffin: You got all around talent my guy from writing to photos to sky rocketing our socials you got a knack for this industry and I know you’ll go far in it. Good luck and have fun as DME, I know it won’t be easy but you got this. Just pray on it. See you Sunday?

Most of my Photogs: Thank you guys for such an amazing semester. I am beyond proud of what we were able to accomplish over the course of the semester and I was pleased to see each of you grow so much over each coverage. I couldn’t have done it without y’all!

Jacob Halsema: My guy! I am happy I got to know you over these past few months as a person and a photographer. You always kill it game in and game out and I’m excited to see what the future has in store for you. Thanks for picking me Jacob, it’s been a pleasure.

Ryan, Noah, Will, Justin: Gentlemen… I’m free! Y’all’s support, presence and community is what makes the CC our home every night. Leaving everyday after 5pm to be late for work and y’all would always be willing to wait heinously late hours to hang out at the CC after. Thank you guys, honestly, words can’t describe how happy I was to find a group and home here in Cuse where I’m truly happy to see everyday. Y’all the family for real.

Jack: My Brotha. It’s insane to think we didn’t even get a semester together but I would never wish it to be different. But thank you dude for always putting up with my shenanigans and being in my corner this semester, your support and just authentic happy energy was something I needed during this time in my life. Ima miss you dude, go kill it. Much love my guy.

Eriman Phamila: Thank you for every sacrifice you made for me to make it here. I wouldn’t be here without your guys’ support. And I promise I’ll never stop striving to make our last name proud. Mahal Kita.

230 Euclid. Salamat Po.

Published on December 11, 2025 at 1:37 am