I hope to be the first Daily Orange staffer to write in their “duck” that my first word was, in fact, also “duck.”

For a while, I’m told, it was my only word — even inspiring a duck-themed bathroom at my old house. Apparently, I thought I could get away with never learning another one, though journalism, it turns out, requires a slightly broader vocabulary. As I grew up, I stopped thinking about that first word at all.

But then I started working at a paper where a “duck” is what you write when you are saying goodbye.

I wrote my first “duck” two years ago, sitting on the steps of Hendricks Chapel. I wrote about fear — about how the stories I was most scared to write turned out to be the most important ones to tell. It was also about courage, and how I owed mine to this paper and its staff. I still do. It felt, then, like a goodbye I wasn’t ready to make. I am so grateful it turned out not to be.

The Daily Orange is the reason I am the reporter and person I am today. I learned almost everything I know about journalism from working here — how to report, how to write, how to ask the questions that need to be asked and how to listen. But that is not why I came back.

A friend asked me recently why I’ve dedicated so much of my college experience to this paper. I had never really thought about it before, though it didn’t take me long to articulate an answer. It is simple: I have never felt more like the best version of myself than when I am in this house, surrounded by the most driven, passionate, kind and thought-provoking people I have ever had the chance to call my colleagues, and more importantly, my friends.

I have so much to say about what The D.O. has meant to me, but sitting here writing my second duck, it is hard to find the right words. Ironic, for someone who has built her entire life around them. Though that is the thing I have realized about spending your life writing other people’s stories. Sometimes you run out of words for your own.

But, since I procrastinated this and it’s due soon, I’ll give it a try below.

The D.O.: If you know me, you know I have always been obsessed with how one word can encapsulate so much — a feeling, a memory, a whole chapter of life. I just never thought that word, for me, would be “duck.” While right now that might mean goodbye, it feels wildly full-circle that the first word I ever said is now the same one that holds the impact this house and everyone in it has had on me.

More so than anywhere else in my life, you all have shown me what it looks like to care about something so much that it changes you. Thank you for it all, 230 Euclid.

—

Kendall Luther: Kendall, I have never met someone as equally strong and kind as you. Over the three years we’ve known each other, I have watched the world throw everything under the sun your way, and you have never once let it dim your light. I have never seen anyone, without even trying, put a whole house of people at ease just by their presence. You have that impact everywhere you go. The culture of this paper has transformed because of your leadership. As everyone says, you are sunshine. I’m better because I know you! I cannot wait to frolic through the city with you this summer and for the rest of time. So happy the D.O. gave me a forever friend. Soft-serve margs soon.

Rosina Boehm: Rose, it is a tragedy we did not become friends earlier in our D.O. tenures, or during our Sadler days. You are an incredible and creative reporter, and on top of that, a natural leader. Independent, passionate and one of my favorite people to laugh with. You have helped lead this paper to succeed in nearly every measure that matters, but more importantly, you have shaped the culture of it. So much of why The D.O. has become a home for so many people this year is because of you. I cannot wait to see what you accomplish and hopefully I can see you before the 2028 reunion.

Griffin Uribe Brown: Two years ago I wrote “You are just better than the rest of us.” It slightly pains me to say I still believe that. Nobody I have met puts as much of themselves into everything they care about the way you do, and I have watched it make everyone around you better, myself included. You are an incredible leader, reporter and friend, and thanks to our Friday class, a critical third of the D.O. trifecta. I will miss our USen beat and even, on occasion, sled hockey and making eggs. I hope we get to work together again one day — but if not, at least you will forever be my former “professional work colleague.” To put it succinctly, and because this word means a lot to you: Griffin Uribe Brown, you are a star!

Katie Crews: I’m glad I helped coerce you into joining this cult of a newspaper so I can, in writing, tell you how amazing you are. Apparently, you are a great graphic designer, so congrats. But my experiences with you extend far beyond your ability to make an Instagram carousel. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was living with you junior year. You are one of the kindest, most dedicated and caring people I have ever known and I’m so grateful to call you a best friend. From Barcelona, to Cinque Terre, to Syracuse and BOSTON, you have filled a hole in my life I didn’t even know was there. It is inspiring how much you care about the people around you and I cannot wait to see all the amazing things you accomplish in this life. Can’t wait to live it alongside you, with my trusty Katie Crews coozie.

Kate Jackson: The final third of The D.O. trifecta! It is safe to say the only thing I loved more this semester than our shared governance story getting published is that I got to become close friends with you. Not many people in my life would talk about the inner workings of university governance at Crate or Faegan’s as passionately as we do — which is exactly how I know you are going to be amazing at whatever you decide to do next. You are hilarious, hardworking, caring and one of the best reporters I know. In other words, you are electric. Whether you go to law school, stick with journalism or we pivot and become the D.O.’s full-time alumni event planners, I know you are going to change the world for the better. One Peel quiz at a time.

Ahna Fleming: I tried to convey throughout this duck what The D.O. has given me, but the truest proof of it is the friendship I got with you. It is still crazy to me that one of the people I most look up to in life is the same person I text every day. Thank you for editing every single thing I write (including this duck), for being my “parent” for all of my life decisions and for understanding me, avoidance and all. From Scranton, PA (TW) to the DNC, you truly inspire me like no other. The compassion you have for everyone in your life and every story you touch is why I know you are going to change the world. NYU is so unbelievably lucky to have you. I cannot wait to spend another NYC summer together and live on your Brooklyn couch forever.

Julia Boehning: Julia, I am so grateful I got to work with you these past three years. Watching you grow from our SGA beat writer sophomore year into one of the most dedicated and impressive reporters I know has been one of the best parts of my time here. Traveling to NYC with you, having class with you in Barcelona and getting to call you a friend along the way has made all of it better. Your selflessness is evident in everything you do, and I know you are going to kill it post-grad. My fellow Jersey girl — I cannot wait to see what you do next.

Brenne Sheehan: My first thought writing this was just how impressed I am by you. Under your leadership, the news section has been some of the strongest work the paper has put out in my time here. You have a natural talent for capturing the emotion of every story you cover, and the articles I wrote for news this semester were better because you touched them. Running news and Jerk at once makes me worried about your sleep schedule, but somehow you have balanced both with such grace. I am jealous of your data reporting instincts, and I know whatever comes next for you is going to be incredible.

Charlotte Price: CHARLOTTE! I am so happy that we are tied by both DG and The D.O. Getting to become friends with you through both has been such a highlight of my year. I cannot believe you are only a sophomore — your storytelling instincts and passion set you apart from people twice your age. Chatting with you about the trials and tribulations of being a sophomore DG at SU, a tale I know well, has been one of the most consistent joys of coming in-house. Your dedication is going to take you so far, and I cannot wait to see all you do.

Ilana Zahavy: I am utterly in awe of you. I have not known you for the entirety of my D.O. tenure, but watching you run our print design this year has been one of the most impressive things I have gotten to see in this house. You care so much about this paper and the people in it, and it shows in every single thing you do. I am so glad we got to work together, and I cannot wait to see everything you accomplish! See you in Copenhagen?

Lily Zuckerman: I can say confidently that I have never met anyone quite like you. Though we only met this year, I am grateful that through all of our shared friends I feel like I’ve known you for ages. Your laugh is genuinely contagious, and beyond that, you are one of the most thoughtful and creative reporters I know. Culture is so lucky to have you as an editor, and I cannot wait to watch the section flourish under your leadership. So grateful to forever be tied by Verne and Annie Huckabone.

Claire Samstag: I needed to give a shoutout to my hilarious, talented first D.O. friend, Claire Samstag. I miss working with you, though now that you work in press offices, I love emailing politicians for comment and subsequently getting a photo from you of my email in your inbox. I am so glad you are killing it out there, and I will forever be your biggest fan.

News staff 2023-24: I just have the most gratitude in the world for every person I worked with during my first year at this paper. My sophomore year here is what convinced me I was meant to be a journalist — and I do not think I would have known that if I had not been surrounded by such talented, hardworking and endlessly kind people. You showed me, before I knew it for myself, what this work could look like and what I could be capable of in it. I would not be the journalist I am today without all of your support and guidance.

Kyle Chouinard: As the person at The D.O. who has probably had the biggest impact on me as a reporter, I had to include Kyle in yet another duck. Through every step, you not only taught me what being a thoughtful, rigorous journalist actually means, but reassured me in my skills in a way that still shapes how I report today. You are such an intelligent and meticulous reporter — and you are the one who showed me what it really looks like to investigate something with your whole self. Las Vegas has the best of us. Syracuse misses you.

Delia Rangel, Quinn Postman, Noah Nussbaum: While I think I have only gotten to work with Delia directly over my time here, I am so proud of all three of you. I am beyond impressed with your work and potential — from Delia’s sharp news reporting, to Noah’s sports instincts, to Quinn’s ability to push this paper’s digital work forward. This year’s leadership has left you with big shoes to fill, and I know, full-heartedly, that you will fill them fearlessly.

Management and staff for 2026-27: Next year might include some of the hardest months you have had as journalists. But they will also, as I’ve now written in two ducks, be the most rewarding. The stories that scare you will be the ones you are proudest of. And the people sitting next to you in this house will be why any of this is worth it. Be kind to yourselves. Lean on each other. Let this paper bring you courage. If you ever need anything, please give me a call. Twice. (I’m probably on DND.)

Published on May 1, 2026 at 10:37 pm
Contact Samantha: saolande@syr.edu