During my senior year of high school, I didn’t really know what my next step would be, but I ended up touring Syracuse University. On that tour, we passed through Newhouse, where our tour guide mentioned that its students ran one of the most esteemed student newspapers in the country. Naturally, I grabbed a copy and asked, “How soon can someone get involved in The Daily Orange?”

Let’s just say — I got involved. I started at The D.O. as a Student Government Association beat writer in October after panic-replying to Kyle Chouinard’s listserv email within three minutes (yes, three minutes). My freshman year was filled with late nights, Shaw Dining Hall runs and floor naps, but I learned lessons I never could’ve learned in a classroom. (A funny side note: one of my SGA stories was critiqued in a JNL 211 class before I was even enrolled in it.)

My sophomore spring as news editor didn’t end the way I expected. I spent hours on the steps of Hendricks Chapel, feeling more burnt out and defeated than I ever had before. When I left campus, I told myself that sophomore year would be the end of my time at The D.O., until Anish Vasudevan hinted that I was “next up.” That’s when I realized I might have unfinished business.

Now, after my time as editor-in-chief, I understand just how many incredibly talented people it takes to produce a single print edition like the one I picked up that day in April 2022. I fell in love with the Wednesdays that brought those editions to life — no matter how late I walked home or how many classes I missed for a last-minute interview. I’ve found a deep passion for this community and for telling the stories that matter to it.

But I wouldn’t have kept coming back if it weren’t for the people. My brilliant best friends, who inspire how I think about journalism and the world. The ones who challenge me and push me to see things differently. And the staff who supported and trusted me, even when I inevitably made mistakes.

Be kind to one another. Trust your gut. Say yes to everything, but don’t be afraid to say no, too. Remember to reframe and refocus on what matters. And stay. Even when it feels impossible.

Leading this paper was an honor and one I’ll carry with me forever. The D.O. defined my college experience, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

—

Rose Boehm: We did it. I can’t thank you enough for being my ME, my partner, my favorite editor and one of my best friends. I truly could not have survived this year without you. When Stephanie and I were talking about my potential EIC application, I was feeling really hesitant. But then your name came up, and suddenly I could actually picture what this role might look like with you by my side. I genuinely can’t put into words how much you inspire me. The culture section flourished under your leadership, and it’s been such a joy to watch you continue to shape it. I treasure every story you write and every idea you bring. Your creativity is boundless, and I love the way you see the world. It’s been a joy watching you fully embrace your mission of “doing weird shit.” Going into this year, we talked a lot about mindful management and leading as a unit. You’ve been a constant example of how to do that with intention and integrity. Thank you for never shying away from tough conversations to make sure we landed on the right decisions. It’s been a crazy year, one filled with a lot of anxiety and closed-door conversations, but I couldn’t be prouder of how we handled it together. It’s also been so special to watch you grow closer with this incredible staff and to see the impact you’ve had on so many stories. You should be so f*cking proud. Thank you for keeping me sane, from every Recess order to our shared flip FOMO. We did everything we set out to do, and this paper is stronger because of it.

James Hoagland: Coming back to The D.O. can be incredibly intimidating, but thank god I had James Hoagland by my side. Thank you for being a kind, friendly face at 230 Euclid from the moment I stepped into my role. You’ve always been someone I could talk about anything and confide in on the rough days, no matter what. The way you transformed our digital presence as DME and ensured the opinion section felt supported and advocated for speaks to exactly the kind of leader you are. You have so much to be proud of. We navigated a lot together, and through all of it, even the frustrating moments, you handled everything with compassion and care. I can’t wait to see everything you accomplish next. Wishing you a summer packed with flag football games and Diet Cokes. Jimmy, you’re the boss.

Griffin Uribe Brown: In my duck from 2024, I wrote that “The D.O. will be excited to welcome you back.” And, boy, were we. Coming back after a year abroad to take on a brand-new position is no small feat. But the numbers, templates, and even the list of “no-no words” show just how good a job you’ve done. Your work as SME and DME has not only helped us better connect with our audience and community, but also ensured that the hard work our staffers put in every day gets the visibility it deserves. It’s also been a joy to watch you continue the work you started sophomore spring, from reporting on USen to shared governance. I genuinely don’t know how you fit it all into a day. But, most of all, I couldn’t be more grateful for your presence in management this semester, and becoming closer friends was a highlight of my senior year. From our final read-aloud edits to panic phone calls, thank you for sticking with Rose and me through countless late nights, last-minute Sunday planning sessions and challenging conversations. There’s no one we’d rather have by our side.

Ilana Zahavy: My sweet Ilana. The world is a brighter place because you are in it. Your eye for detail and your talent are stunning, and I still can’t fathom how you made our wildest visions come to life the way you did. Your commitment to this paper inspired me every single day, and I always knew if I needed a laugh or a smile, you were my person. Together we’ve seen sunrises … and sunsets (haha). Sometimes I just sit and stare at our Issuu page in awe. I hope you take some time to do the same, and can take time to sit with everything you’ve created and feel proud. As Rose has said, you are wise beyond your years, and there is a special Ilana touch to everything you make that is entirely and unmistakably yours. I can’t wait to see your bylines and everything you create next year.

Delia Rangel: From the second you walked in with Lars after your Kitchen Literacy Project story, I knew you were meant to be in that newsroom. And even more special was getting to watch you lead it. News editor is already one of the hardest jobs at the paper, and last semester the section was thrown curveball after curveball. It would have been easy to shy away from the harder stories, but you never did. And you’d never know any of it from your demeanor. No one would guess that you were simultaneously managing breaking news, chaotic USen meetings and serving as a managing editor for another publication. You handled all of it with grace. The D.O. could not be luckier to have you carrying all of that into the editor-in-chief role. You were meant to be at that desk — and it genuinely pains me that I won’t get to see you in it in person. Earlier this semester, I dreaded what this moment would feel like. I expected nerves and a hard time letting go. But now that the day is actually here, I feel none of that, and that’s because of you. I have complete trust in you and your amazing team. There’s no question that this role will bring challenges, but I’ve watched you face hard things with grace, kindness and real intention to getting it right. You take the time to think things through. You make decisions you believe in. Everything you’ve done here has prepared you for this, and even on the days it doesn’t feel that way, I’m just a phone call away to remind you.

Noah Nussbaum: Oh, Noah. I remember talking with Cooper in the spring about how I was nervous about our lack of sports representation in management. He told me not to worry, because we had Nuss. And boy, did Nuss have our back. I loved working with you in the fall, and I could not be more excited for you to step into the managing editor role. You and Delia are going to do incredible things together. Trust that innate talent of yours — for writing, for editing, for all of it. It’ll take you far. And please, eat a Shaw Dining Hall brownie for me.

Stephanie Wright: Thank you for trusting me with this beautiful paper we get to call ours. Following in your footsteps, Chiefanie, was no small thing — I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t intimidating — but I couldn’t have done it without your guidance and belief in me. You and Cooper left this place on such a strong foundation, and none of what we accomplished this year would have been possible without the work you put in first. Thank you for making The D.O. into what it is today. This year wasn’t the same without you around, though. I longed for our NVRC dates and walks to class. But I can’t wait for those coffee dates to move to our big girl cities, and for the most unhinged debrief session of all time. You are the reason I’m the journalist I am today. From editing my SGA stories freshman year, to floor naps, to being my very first friend at The D.O., I cannot thank you enough.

Kyle Chouinard: To this day, you remain the most talented journalist I know. Whenever I was struggling with a decision, I’d find myself thinking, “What would Kyle do?” — and then immediately spam your texts, as you are very well aware. Sometimes when I’m bored I scroll back through our messages just for a good giggle. Thank you for always replying, and for hopping on calls to unpack more Syracuse lore. Your love for the craft and for The D.O. inspire me beyond words. I learned so much under your leadership and from your editing sophomore year, and I can only hope I carried some of those values forward into our staff. Thank you for being a mentor, and more importantly, a close friend.

Cooper Andrews: There is no doubt you have written some of the strongest stories I’ve seen in my time at The D.O. Every piece you turn in blows me out of the water. Thank you for trusting me to edit them. I loved watching you pursue the stories you felt called to this year, especially after such an incredible tenure as ME. Stepping back from leadership couldn’t have been easy, but I can’t express how much your support and presence meant to me. As I said above to Stephanie, you both left this place on such a strong foundation, and none of what we accomplished this year would have been possible without the work you put in. Thank you for your patience as I found my footing in this role, and for always having a piece of advice ready when I needed it. Even though you occasionally gave me a heart attack, and I mean that in the best possible way, I have endless respect for your dedication to the stories that matter and the care you pour into every word. I have no doubt that staff will look to your reporting as a standard for years to come.

Anish Vasudevan: To be honest, I wouldn’t have taken this role if it wasn’t for you. That call last spring brought me comfort and made me believe that I could actually do this job. I owe so much of that to you. Thank you for your trust in me and for your words of wisdom. Your time as EIC inspired my leadership in so many ways, and I hope I lived up to the standard you set.

Ahna Fleming: It’s hard to believe we only technically worked together for a semester. When I look back on my time at The D.O., and at SU, you are always there. Working on the AAS story with you was one of the most meaningful experiences of my college career. To know you is to love you, and you are so loved here. You never fail to amaze me with everything you accomplish, and how you do it, with talent, kindness and grace, makes it all the more remarkable. I missed our Recess and Phoebe’s trips dearly this year. But I cannot wait for dinner debriefs and giggles in NYC.

Sammy Olander: Though I was tempted to finally fulfill my promise and write a 1,500 duck purely about you, I realized that even with that many words, I’d still fall short of expressing how much I love you. We’ve been through so much together, from the Hendricks Chapel steps to editing stories until 8 a.m., and every single time, without fail, you made me smile, made me laugh and gave me a space to say exactly what was on my mind. I’ve been saying this since sophomore year, and I’ll say it again: You are one of the strongest reporters to ever come out of The D.O. When someone compliments our reporting, nine times out of 10 it’s a story with your byline. That’s no small thing. But more than any of that, our friendship is one of the greatest gifts this paper has given me. I wish you endless Harvey’s Garden extravaganzas, BeReals and everything the world has to offer. You’re going to change it, Sammy Olander.

Charlotte Price: My first impression of you was your wienermobile story, and my first thought was: damn, this girl can write. I even highlighted it in the culture section of my EIC packet. When I heard you were coming back as an assistant, I couldn’t wait to see what you would cook up for us. Your creativity and care are inspiring, whether you’re writing about lumberjacks or putting together a beautiful Instagram carousel for an obituary. You bring something special to everything you touch, and what you’ve done as social media editor speaks for itself. You’ve transformed what that position means, and you deserve so much credit for the growth we’ve seen. Three semesters, countless contributions and paper is better for every single one of them.

Brenne Sheehan: You’re a rockstar. I love the way your brain works and the way you think about journalism. You are a fierce reporter and The D.O. was so lucky to have you these past few years. I will miss your Brenne-isms and Kathy Hochul impressions more than I can say. But I have to say, I’m quite excited to see “odd jobs editor” looks like in practice. Taco Bell coordination better be involved somehow. Please, please get some sleep.

Arabella Klonowski: The news section is so lucky to have you as their fearless leader next semester. I’m so glad you came back after your semester abroad. The newsroom needed you, even if it didn’t know it yet. Thank you for being such a grounding presence this semester. You have everything you need to succeed. Go get ’em!

Julia Boehning: You have given so much to this paper over the years, and watching you dig deeper in your role as enterprise editor was beyond exciting. I absolutely loved getting to work with you again. Thanks for always being someone we could count on, whether it was a quick turnaround on a reacts story or a last-minute coverage. Your work ethic will take you so far.

News staff F’25 & S’26: A mayoral election, chancellor transition and a portfolio review? What a year. I’ve never been prouder of our news coverage and that’s all thanks to you guys. As we know, the news section is near and dear to my heart, and it was just so special seeing it flourish thanks to your hard work and dedication. You all have such bright futures ahead of you. And I know you guys have some great content for your next cover letter.

Nicholas Alumkal: Nicholas!! You are such a joy to be around. It’s a shame that we didn’t cross paths sooner, but getting to know you this semester has been so special. I always looked forward to whatever clever, quippy response you’d have ready or whatever fun fact I was about to learn about you. You bring a kindness that the world could use a whole lot more of. Stay true to that, and, please, watch out for chocolate milk jugs.

Jordan Kimball: You are a natural leader, and I really mean that. Time and time again this year, your maturity and intelligence have blown me away. You’ve grown into such a strong writer and editor, and I can’t wait to see what you do with the sports section.

Aiden Stepansky, Justin Girshon, Zak Wolf: The trio. It has been such a blast growing with you guys over the past four years. The sheer volume and quality of stories you produced this year was insane — ludicrous, even. I loved editing every single one. But I must say, I’m thrilled to never edit another oppo or bwp again. I hope you can look back on everything you accomplished this year and feel genuinely proud.

Mia Jones: I adore you! You brought such a wonderful energy and touch to the culture section. It really is the heart of this paper, and you brought out the best in it. It hurts my heart that we only met at the end of last year, but your friendship means so much to me. I can’t wait to cheer you on in all of your future endeavors.

Eliana Rosen: Your compassion and care for others will take you so far. Being a head-ed is no small thing, but you made it seem effortless. You make every single person you interact with feel included and supported, and it shows in every story the culture section published. You are going to make such an incredible impact as development editor next year. There is no better person to help shape the next generation.

Lily Zuckerman: I’m obsessed with you. (I tried to write that with my best Lily impression.) You are exactly what this paper needs — someone eager, committed and passionate about the work. I love every idea you pitch and the way you think about sharing stories in our community. You live and breathe the culture section. Thank you for always putting a smile on my face and treating every story you write with diligence and care. Best of luck with your new role! We’re cheering you on.

Savannah Grunmeier: I can’t thank you enough for everything you gave to the opinion section this year. I loved getting to dive in deep with you and learn the ins and outs of how to best uplift important voices. Thanks for having patience with me, a tried and true news reporter, and for always having the paper’s best interest at heart.

Grace Johnson: There’s no doubt that the opinion section is one of the hardest to lead. You should be so proud of everything you and your section accomplished. From relaunching Absence of Light to producing stories that have brought about change in the community, the impact speaks for itself. Thank you for never giving up on a difficult column, and for never shying away from a tough convo with management. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.

Will Chadwick: You rock, Will. I’ve loved hearing bits and pieces into how you approach opinion pieces, and I really admire your editorial instincts. Thank you for carrying us in Media Cup. Keep up the good work.

Leonardo Eriman: You are seriously so talented. It was always a comfort knowing you had us covered with phenomenal sports photos in addition to all your hard work cultivating and managing the photo section. That No Kings protest gallery lives in my head rent-free. I hope you’re enjoying the Cali sunshine.

Ave Magee: It’s hard to put into words how much you amaze me, Ave. Your dedication to the section has never gone unnoticed. Your attention to detail is unmatched, and this paper is more beautiful because of it. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to ensuring we always had stunning photos and visuals to work with. You also brought such a fun energy to vis — whether it was a selects Partiful or an Over The Cuse order, you made it feel like a community. That matters more than you know. You are going to do such great things as development editor. Working with you has been so special and you should be incredibly proud of all you accomplished.

Tara Deluca: I could not be more excited to see what a Tara Deluca photo section looks like. This paper is so lucky to have you. And thank you for always sparing a nacho fry.

Cassie Roshu: Wow, how I wish we could go back and tell our freshman year selves eating in Ernie Davis Dining Hall during the first week of class what was in store for them. I’m so happy we found each other that day and never stopped being friends. We’ve been through so much together, from being head-eds to covering protests, and through all of it you brought sunshine and support. It’s been an honor to work alongside you.

Sophia Burke: I genuinely don’t know how you do it. Three majors, The D.O. and UU? Insane. I’ve loved getting to know you this year, and thank you for making our dig dreams come true. You’ve grown into such a strong leader here, and the legacy you’re leaving behind is nothing short of incredible. I’m so grateful you chose to share your talent with us. I’ll miss you so much.

Katie Crews: I’ll never forget sitting in the car with Devin at Chick-fil-A in August when she mentioned that you were interested in working as a designer. I remember almost leaping out of my seat, but then taking a moment to clarify — she knows what working at The D.O. is like, right? Now, two semesters later, I’m sure you have a pretty good idea of what it means to work here. Having you in the house this year has been such a pleasure, and it’s been amazing to see what you’ve taken on as co-DDD. Working here and being an architecture major has to be a new record of commitment, but you’re probably one of the most chill people at this paper. I’m so happy we met, and I wish you the best time in Japan.

Quinn Postman and Claire Zhang: I can’t wait to see our digital presence flourish even further under your leadership. Make sure people post their Insta stories, and never hesitate to mention the news editor in news headlines lol. I see 25K in your future.

Cindy Zhang: My wife! I am so grateful The D.O. brought us together. I cannot thank you enough for your constant support and friendship this year. Every time you popped in the house to say hello, I felt like I could breathe again. You mean so much to me. I’ll look back fondly on our chats about Carolyn Bissett, NYC and Jelly Cats, as well as our shared fried rice and Firudo ventures.

Cole Ross: People like you make The D.O. great. You are insanely talented (shout-out to the award-winning soup spread), but beyond that, you make the house everyone wants to be. From jokes that leave the whole room cackling to pulling off events like Margaritaville, you deserve so much credit for the culture that has been built here. Thank you for always having my back and showing up when I needed it most. So many of our adventures — Whitman, Firudo, everywhere in between — are ones I’ll carry with me for a long time. This semester wasn’t the same without you around, but I’ve cherished seeing every abroad Instagram story.

Abby Aggarwala: I’ll never forget the cheer that left my body when you said you’d be interested in taking on DDD. It’s been so much fun getting to know you this semester, and I cannot wait to see what you cook up with those Instagram carousels.

Lucía Santoro-Vélez: Thank you for everything you’ve given to this paper. Your impact on the design section is nothing short of incredible, and your creativity shines through everything you touch. You have such a bright future ahead of you. And like I said to Cole, so much of what makes The D.O. culture special traces back to you. You made 230 Euclid a warmer, better place, and the people in it felt that every single day.

Addie Guan: The D.O. is so lucky to have you, Addie. Your energy is infectious, no matter how late those print nights got. The highlight of my week was our drives to Sadler Hall, and I loved hearing every story you shared along the way, whether it was about your high school paper or your calculus class. You bring so many brilliant ideas, and I can’t wait to stalk the Issuu page. But please, keep the Roblox man out of the paper, no matter how tempting.

Hannah Mesa: I never once had to worry about illos this year, and that is entirely thanks to you. The fact that you consistently delivered such beautiful illustrations, even on such last-minute requests with everything else on your plate, is nothing short of remarkable. Thank you for showing up every single time.

Savannah Stewart: I am so overjoyed you came back this semester. Your role is so important, and the support you brought to the fellowship process meant more than I can say. You are such a light. I can’t wait to see what you do with a full year.

Kevin Ross: You do so much to keep this paper running day in and day out. I loved learning so much about the business side of journalism this year. Thank you for always finding a way to send a reporter to March Madness and away games, and for keeping the house stocked with Peppino’s garlic knots.

Chris Ern and Stephen Santilli: Thank you for making sure the paper hit print every single week without fail. The work you do behind the scenes may not always be visible to the editorial staff, but it’s the reason we can continue to fulfill our mission. We appreciate it more than you know.

Mark Nash: There is no D.O. without Mark Nash! Even post-grad, you have shown up for us in ways that meant more than you know. The range of what you’ve given to this paper — print, IT, business, sports — is staggering, and every new piece of lore you share is one I treasure. Your contributions will be felt here for years to come.

Davis Hood: So much of what this makes paper run, and what lets our staffers do the work they do, is because of you. I could not be more grateful for the beautiful new website. It’s truly a legacy worth celebrating. Thank you, endlessly, for all of it.

Sam Benoit and Eliza Raphael: You two are amazing! Thank you for everything you poured into this semester. Having you around made such a difference. You fielded every random ask from Griffin and me with such patience. You guys keep the D.O. running. Don’t let anyone forget it!

2025-2026 staff: Rose, Griffin and I talked all the time about how lucky we were to have such a rockstar staff, and we meant it every single time. It was a joy working with each and every one of you. You made The D.O. a better place and ensured the work that we do uplifts and serves this community. I always felt supported by you, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything we accomplished together. Thank you for trusting me to lead.

Incoming and future staff: The work you do here matters more than you know. As everyone always says, you’ll learn more within the walls of 230 Euclid than you ever could in a Newhouse classroom. Take full advantage of it! Don’t be afraid to branch out and try something new. Ruffle feathers. Cherish the late print nights and food orders and the chaos in between. There is no other time where you’ll get to do this work with your best friends by your side. And above all else, trust each other and be kind to one another.

D.O. alums: To everyone who took the time to write a noon note, speak with our staff, respond to an email or simply read our work this year, thank you. The support of our alumni community has blown me away, and Rose and I could not have done this without you. I hope we made you proud this year.

Nick: You have always known me with The D.O., and I know it hasn’t always been easy. Thank you for your patience through every Slack message I had to answer and every visit I had to cut short to make it back in time for Sunday meeting. From every care package to every story you read, I couldn’t have done this job without knowing you were in my corner.

Dad & my friends: Nothing this year would have been possible without your endless support. This job was hard. I have never felt more tired or burnt out, but I have also never felt more invigorated or impassioned. Thank you for always listening, even when I was beating the same dead horse, and for never once making me feel guilty about the texts I missed or the plans I had to cancel. Through all of it, I cherished your kindness, I appreciated your patience and I truly felt your support.

—

All from me! It was an honor to be your Kenditor-in-Chief.

Goodnight, Daily Orange.

Published on May 1, 2026 at 10:46 pm
Contact Kendall: kaluther@syr.edu