I literally have no clue how to begin this letter. I don’t even know what I want to write. I have created so many memories from my time on Dispatch staff; I have written so many stories, learned so many lessons, met so many incredible people, and gotten the chance to do so many crazy things for this publication. I have found some of my closest friendships in this classroom, and it’s honestly embarrassing how much I’ve grown to love some of these freaks… 

It’s kind of embarrassing to admit how big of a role this program has played in my identity. I started high school with no clue about what I wanted to do with myself. The COVID-19 pandemic wiped away all of the friendships, passions, and ambitions I had been building throughout my childhood and early life. I was essentially a blank slate; I came into my sophomore year closer to a feral cat than a real, conscious human being. That was the year I joined the Dispatch, and I honestly think that this program rebuilt my identity. With the repeated process of interviewing, researching, editing, and storytelling, every story I wrote taught me a little bit more about the world and my place in it; I formed my own opinions, gained my own perspective, and found a group of people to identify with. There are no words to describe how much I owe the Dispatch for this gift.

It is so surreal to know that I will be leaving the publication and moving forward in my life and in my career as a journalist; I know this change is inevitable, and I know that I DON’T want to be at Bowie any longer than I have to, but I can’t help but feel dread creep up whenever I think about moving on. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the program in my time here. This group of future leaders is so strong, smart, and beautiful, and I can’t wait to see where our returning staff chooses to take the program. I’m already so proud of yall, and I know you will do great!

To Reeves, thank you so much for putting up with us. You have confided so much (undeserved) trust in our leadership team, and we are so grateful for the freedom and respect that granted us. You truly make this a student-run publication, and I can confidently say that my experiences in the newsroom have prepared and encouraged me to pursue a career in journalism. We have all had our rough days in this program, but you have always trusted that we would be able to work through it and create strong content for the paper. I am so grateful for the confidence you put in Kate and I, and I’m glad that we were all able to work together to make this year wonderful. Thank you for the chances to fill up our quotebooks, to take out-of-pocket photos, and create so many memories in our time here. Thank you for allowing me to grow into the position I’m in, and know that I will never forget the time that I have spent in this program.

Thank you to the wonderful leadership team, this program would be nowhere near as successful as it is, without all that yall have done for us. Charlotte, if I had to choose someone as our third EIC, it would be you. You don’t even know how much joy you bring to class on B-Days, we really do feel your absence when you’re gone; I’m always so excited to see you walk in (ten to fifteen minutes late) every B-Day. You have poured so much time, dedication, and effort into creating your stories and pages, and it has been incredible watching you grow. You always approached your pages with wonderfully refreshing creativity, and I’m so so proud of you and the work you have created. You are such a kind, beautiful individual and I’m so excited to see what you do with your future; you’re on such an interesting, unique career path (perfect for such an interesting unique girl) and I know you will continue to do amazing things in your future. 

Sophia, you are literally such a comforting person to be around, I always feel safe talking to you and I’m so glad we got to spend so much time together this year. I have literally never been mad at you, and that’s high praise, because I get mad about everything… I have loved our little chit-chats, figuring out what type of dog, sandwich, color, etc. we all are. I love spending time with you, and I can’t wait to watch you continue to grow into the wonderful, beautiful person you’re becoming.

To Asher, thank you for all that you have done for this program… You’re probably behind half of the awards this paper has earned, and you have come in clutch an average of 20 times each issue. You’re always so willing to help us and deal with our nit-picky requests, and I’m so glad we got to work together this year. You’re doing such exciting things right now, I can’t wait to google your name in ten years and learn that you’re a famous artist! Remember me!

Emme, your dedication to growth is literally so inspiring. You have changed so much since the beginning of the year, and it’s been wonderful to watch you find yourself throughout these crazy six issues. You are so beautiful, smart, and talented, and you always have the craziest stories to tell… literally everyday, you have some WILD tale that is so much fun to listen to. I’m so proud of you for getting into your dream school, and I can’t wait to see you thrive there. Love you!

And finally, to Kate, thank you for being the best co-Idiot-in-Chief I could ever ask for. We have shared so much excitement, joy, sadness, and (especially) fear during our time together. Even though we were originally conditioned to hate each other, we have talked so much and grown so close this year. We are such an odd pair, but even though we’re so different, we have grown super close and now we’re basically the same person (we tell the same jokes, we copy each other’s speaking habits, and sometimes we literally share the same thoughts… freaky!). Without you, I would probably be dead, and I am NOT exaggerating. I’m so glad you were there to hold me back every deadline, when I was seriously considering walking out to Wolftrap and jumping into oncoming traffic. You literally CARRIED me, and this program, on your back (not really though, since I’m so much taller than you are).

I don’t know how to organize everything that I’m grateful to you for, so don’t be surprised if this letter sounds bad… But I want to make sure you know that I’m so glad you were here to support me, I don’t know what I would do without you. I feel like I have made so many empty promises in my time here, but every time, you were there to cover for me and do all of the work I said I would do but never really got around to doing. You always covered for my dumb, silly self when I was too busy at Schlotzsky’s to work on newspaper responsibilities; editing stories, fixing pages, planning contest entries, and literally EVERYTHING else. I feel like I never carried my own weight, and even though I tried to support you when you were busy with cheer, I don’t think I ever truly made up for everything you have done for me.

We have looked death (Mr. Reeves) in the face, pop-its in hand, and lived to tell the tale. Seriously, every time we got yelled at, I was thinking, “At least Kate is getting yelled at with me…” It was always so comforting to walk away from a hard conversation and debrief with you. From our serious newspaper talks, to our gossip sessions, to our unfunny jokes, I have loved every conversation we have shared together. I feel so safe around you, like I can say anything and you won’t judge me for it (part of that is definitely a result of our trauma bonding).

Seriously though, I aspire to be more like you some day. You are so dedicated and hard working, like how you consistently stay up until 3 am to get all your work done… I could never. I’m going to miss seeing you every day, you are literally my other half; I’ll sleep on the chairs, and you can take the floor beside me. I feel like we’re two halves of one EIC, and we transform power-ranger style into one super powerful Dispatch Editor. I will say, you did flop every workday when you decided to be busy and miss every single saturday… not impressed, that’s minus five EIC points.

I’m going to miss seeing you every day, I literally don’t know what I’m going to do in college when I have to study journalism all by myself. You are my other half, these six issues wouldn’t have been possible without you. You’re going to do incredible things at SFA. I’m disappointed you decided to keep doing cheer, but at least you’ll study journalism on the side… Please stay safe, keep your vertebrae in line, and protect your chest wall, for me. Seriously, I love you Kate Davis, and I will never forget you.

Thank you to the Dispatch staff and those who read it. We do this for you, and I’m glad that this newspaper has become a place for growth, friendship, and storytelling. Keep learning, growing, and loving! Bye-bye Bowie!