Throughout the past few years, the Dispatch has been more than a program to me, it’s been a home. I have met so many uniquely amazing people during my time on staff that have truly changed my life for the better. This program gave me a place to explore a subject that I love, improving my writing skills and letting me play around with photography, while also allowing me to grow into a leader. I will always appreciate the opportunities the Dispatch gave me, and the trust that others put in me to allow me to lead. It’s definitely going to be weird not being a part of the Dispatch team anymore after this program has played such an integral role in my life. Sometimes it is disorienting to me how something can stop for me but keep moving forward for everyone else, but I really look forward to reading the papers when they come out next year, and seeing how the program continues to progress. I will definitely miss the Dispatch as I move into the next chapter of my life, but I know we are leaving it in good hands. I can’t wait to see where the program goes in the future.
To My Parents:
Thank you for always pushing me to give my all to everything I do. You both made me the person I am today, and I’m pretty awesome. Thanks for always driving me to newspaper work days and competitions when I put off getting my drivers license, and for making sure I was always able to pursue things I was passionate about. Please don’t be offended if your letter is not as long as everyone else’s, but I’m not saying goodbye to y’all, I’m just going to college 20 minutes away.
To Katie:
You are one of the most amazing people I have ever met. You are so uniquely funny in a way I don’t believe any other person will ever be able to match. You have been one of my greatest allies on this staff, and have always shown a willingness to help. Without you I would have faced countless crash outs alone. You keep me sane even when things in the program get crazy. I know we have had a bumpy road through the chaos of this year, but I will always appreciate everything you have done for me and this program. You are perfect in every single way, and I hope nothing ever takes away your special spark. Wherever you go, the people there will be lucky to be graced with your presence. Keep doing great things.
To Marissa, Charlotte, and Sam:
You have all greatly contributed to making sure the paper gets published, and that the Dispatch remains a high quality production. Without y’all so many important things would fall through the cracks, y’all have truly been the glue holding the program together this year. Charlotte, your writing is so amazing, and I hope you never let anyone make you feel bad for knowing every single word in the human language. I know sometimes decision making can be hard for you, but just know that whatever you choose to do with your life, is the right decision. You are going to do amazing in whatever you choose to do. Marissa, never lose your spark. You have an infectious energy that makes everyone around you smile, and I believe that is one of your best qualities. You are also super dedicated and resilient in any challenge you choose to take on. You are a great journalist, and I know you are going to keep moving up in the journalism world. Sam, don’t forget to breathe. You are such a beautiful, wonderful person. I know at times it can feel like the world is caving in, but you are strong enough to get through anything that is thrown at you. I hope you look back at your time in the Dispatch and can see how you have persevered through even the most stressful situations. There is nothing in this world that you can’t handle.
To Ryan and Gabby:
You have been a great addition to the Dispatch. I see how hard you both work to keep the online site running, and keep people on task. You both took on work and got things done to get us those badges this year, and I know you both have put a great deal of effort into bettering the online program as a whole. Ryan, thank you for never calling me weird or obsessive when I text at 10p.m. to ask if you can fix something on the instagram page. I know I bug you a lot, but you have always been so receptive and helpful. I am glad I got the chance to spend more time with you this year, you are a truly interesting person. I hope whatever you do in life lets you show off your brilliant personality to the world. Gabby, you and me might just be lifers. We always seem to keep making our way back into each other’s lives. You were a great friend when we were in girl scouts together, a great online EIC for the Dispatch, and I am sure you are going to do great things while we are at UT together.
To all my fellow senior staff members:
I wish I had time to write full letters to all of y’all, you have truly each made an impact on my life. Thank you so much for the dedication you have put in this year to make this paper possible. I know the senioritis was real, but each and every one of you showed a willingness at some point to do what you had to do to make sure the paper came together. I am so grateful that this program brought us all together and that I have gotten to know each of you over the past 4 years. You are all such brilliant amazing people and I very strongly believe you will all do extraordinary things. Peyton, never change who you are. You are helpful, kindhearted, and dedicated. I am so glad I got the chance to be your friend. Eleanor, I hope you keep writing, you are truly great at it. Ava, I hope you always keep your stellar fashion sense and outgoing personality. Savannah, I hope you always keep your positive can-do attitude, it always made my day brighter. Will, I hope you never stop taking photos, you are genuinely amazing at it. I wish you all the best in college or whatever else you decide to do as your next step in the world.
To all the future Dispatch leaders:
You’ve made it. You have survived your time on staff, met some amazing people, and made some epic content. Now it’s time to teach others all you have learned. It’s your turn to pass on your favorite parts of the Dispatch to the next group of incoming sophomores. You have all shown that you are genuinely interested in the future of the program. I know you will give the program your all, and do amazing things. Don’t forget to have fun. You likely joined the newspaper because there was something about the intro class that you enjoyed. Don’t be afraid to take on assignments or try new things just because you think they would be fun. The paper is almost always better when people are truly interested and have fun while creating. Y’all are the future of this program, and it’s looking pretty bright.
Arlo, while you were probably not who we originally expected to lead, you have really stepped up this year. You have not only proven your skill as a journalist, but shown your commitment to the program. Don’t doubt yourself. Also, you and Sawyer are now officially in charge of staff hype. You may not be able to have people hacky sack every class, but I trust that you two will bring joy to the Dispatch staff. Sydney, Eve, and Olivia, I hope y’all remain close friends throughout next year. Sometimes stress can drive people apart, but I have seen how you help eachother, and lift eachother up. You have all shown a passion for journalism, and great skill in writing. I have no doubt that you will inspire people to do great things. Be nice to people, but don’t be afraid to tell people what to do. Sometimes when you are in charge, that is something you have to do. Isadora, don’t be afraid to speak up. You are one of the best writers we have on staff, and an amazing photographer as well. Try not to feel stuck in one thing, if you want to take more photos you can make that happen for yourself. If you want to write reviews just for fun, you can do that too. Make sure that even while you are caught up in all the chaos of the program, you still let yourself have fun doing something you enjoy, because that is what the newspaper program is really supposed to be. Morgan, you’ve got this. I know taking on an In-Depth page can be intimidating, but you are going to do great. It can be easy to get in your head about making everything perfect, but as long as you are creating content you are doing great work. Make sure that some of the topics you choose to write about are truly interesting to you. It is ok to choose something to write about every once in a while just because it is something you want to write about. Never doubt your skills, you are a great journalist. Ashley, don’t be afraid to try new things. You have some great ideas that can benefit the program if you share them. I hope you always keep your passion for photography, and branch out to take pictures of more than just sports. You are going to do great things. Skylar, I wish I had the chance to get to know you better. I have seen you step up this year and make a big impact on the online side of the program. I might not know you well, but I know you will be an amazing leader.
To Mr. Reeves:
What’s there to say? I see you literally every school day. Thank you for believing in me, and trusting me to lead the program. Leadership wasn’t something I saw for myself when I initially joined the program, but I am truly glad that I got the chance to be EIC. You have always been there when the staff needed support, and have always found a way to make things work even when it seemed like we were doomed. Thank you for not acting like I’m crazy when I ask the same question 8 times just to make sure, or when I come in 8th period to look over the paper for the 20th time. You have always made the most chaotic of situations feel like they will work out, and there was a lot of chaos this year. You have been a truly amazing advisor. The Dispatch really wouldn’t be the same under the leadership of someone else. The past 4 years in J1 and then on staff have made me the person I am today, and I owe a big chunk of that to you. Thanks for everything.
