CT seniors say farewell

Peggy Stansbery, Executive Editor

I always knew I wanted to join my college’s newspaper. Growing up, I made newspapers in my free time, often answered “journalist” as what I wanted to be when I grew up and was obsessed with the American Girl Kit Kittredge, a young aspiring journalist; so, when I had the opportunity to join a newspaper, I did.

The Commonwealth Times has given me the experience I craved as a child and taught me more than I could have ever imagined. 

I remember my first time writing an article for The CT. I thought, “Wow, this is hard work. I don’t know if I can keep doing this.” However, I stuck with it, got the hang of it and fell in love with it. I quickly began writing every week and became a staff writer for the Spectrum section. 

The next year, I became the Spectrum editor, where I learned my love for editing and leadership and created meaningful bonds with others working at The CT. I loved it so much that I wanted to become more involved and aspired to become either The CT’s Executive or Managing Editor. 

I vividly remember the day the previous executive and managing editors, Gabi and Hollyann, called me to let me know I would be the next Executive Editor after they graduated. It felt like a dream come true, and I couldn’t wait to get to work. I can’t thank them enough for believing in me and giving me the opportunity, as it has been an honor and privilege to be The CT’s Executive Editor. 

Through being the Executive Editor, I have learned so much about myself, both professionally and personally, and created lifelong friendships with amazing and hardworking people. 

I want to thank everyone I have worked with at The CT, as it’s truly a team effort. I want to give a special thank you to Katie Farthing, the Managing Editor, who has been the best wingwoman ever. It has been such a pleasure to work alongside her. I’m so thankful for all the support she has given me, all I’ve learned from her and the friendship we have formed. 

The CT has been my most rewarding and transformative experience at VCU. I will forever be grateful for my time here. 

Katie Farthing, Managing Editor 

Sitting here, in my warm, food-filled living room the night before Thanksgiving, I watch my mother prepare for guests and my father dread the loud company. All I can think about is graduation in two weeks and my final week at The Commonwealth Times. 

It feels like just yesterday I was a naive second-year student — freshly transferred into the journalism program — nervously walking into the SMC for my first budget meeting with the news team. 

Now, two years later, I’m the Managing Editor. 

I’ve stared at my cursor for around 45 minutes now trying to think of something worthwhile to share — I can only say thank you. 

Thank you to our readers. The press is and always will be for the people. 

Thank you to my family. You blindly supported me through plenty of major changes and lots of confusing journalism lingo. 

Thank you to my friends. You listened to endless rants about AP Style’s shameless Oxford comma erasure and missing periods at the end of photo captions. I’ve been insufferable plenty of times, and you all stuck by my side. 

Thank you to my friends, coworkers and occasional frenemies — when my boss hat is on, sorry — at The CT. Thank you for making my days long and my nights even longer. Thank you for making my Tuesdays a night to dread, but also one to giggle about the rest of the week. Thank you for challenging me at every turn and allowing me to be a leader, alongside my fearless Executive Editor, Peggy — love you, girl. Thank you for the surprisingly strong tea, shady 7-Eleven pain medication, tears and plenty of laughs in between. 

While I could have done with a few more hours of sleep every week, I wouldn’t change a single second of it. We had fun! 

I came to college unsure, and certainly a little afraid. It took me a while to find my passions, but eventually, I landed among the weirdos and nerds who enjoy discussions of commas vs em dashes.  

I won’t tell you I’m not still unsure or scared — but I can tell you I’m also older, a little wiser, even more excited and officially SO. 

Emily McCauley, Spectrum Editor 

Almost two years ago I shared a journalism class with my Executive Editor and friend Peggy Stansbery, and by the end of the year, she had recruited me into the Spectrum section of The Commonwealth Times. I cannot thank her enough! The CT reconnected me with storytelling and I became passionate about arts-culture-music-feature coverage. 

I have always been a people person, and writing and editing for the Spectrum section has allowed me to work with and learn from incredible artists, performers, writers, historians, biographers, foodies, creators, non-profit organizations, peacebuilders, museum-goers and more. Seriously, I love talking and learning from all of these incredible and unique human beings. Every story is deeper than we think we know. 

I have had one year of editing and overseeing the Spectrum section while working with incredible writers and I will have a big hole in my heart without it. I am so incredibly grateful for all the hard work and for what the team at The CT has taught me. Lots of big adventures, laughs, late-nights, 8-day work weeks and bonds I will cherish. 

A special thank you to the whole team. Each team member brings a special element to our production and I am going to miss our dynamics. If I go into detail this will be too long, but thanks for putting up with my antics; I love you all. Cheers to reaching the end of an era.