CT seniors say farewell

Dylan Hostetter, Executive Editor

As a transfer student, I have only spent two years of my life at VCU. While looking back on that time in anticipation to graduate, the past two years feel less like 16 classes taken and instead more like 16 months at The Commonwealth Times. 

I can say with the utmost certainty that my time working at this paper has been some of the most fruitful of my entire life. I have met people that not only supported my work and gave me the platform to write silly stories and draw sillier comics, but have become sincere friends.

Long after the paper we printed on has eroded to dust, long after the nails holding our awards firm to the wall rust, I hope that some part of my consciousness remains to remember the times we had.

Or maybe it’s not that serious. To be honest, it probably isn’t. This was fun, though. Good stuff.

Nevaeh Bouie, Managing Editor

This is my first time writing for The CT. This is also my last time writing for The CT. Isn’t that crazy?

I started out here as a simple Copy Editor — it was me and the AP Stylebook against the world — and now I’m a whole Managing Editor.

Though I’ll miss my time at The CT, I am looking forward to my future with the skills that I have acquired and built on in my year-and-a-half here.

I appreciate, admire and am so inspired by all of the people I have worked with. You all are so talented and driven, and I’m excited to see what the future brings for you.

Thank you so much for having me as an editor! I’m going to have a baby now.

Thailon Wilson, Sports Editor 

This week marks the last week that I’ll be the Sports Editor at The Commonwealth Times. This moment is something I have been looking forward to but also scared of at the same time because I truly love what I do here. 

I have been at The CT since I was a freshman and I became the Sports Editor my junior year. I’ve been able to travel the country to cover sports and have gained friends that I’ll know for the rest of my life. So I will always be grateful for my time here. 

Thaiology out! 

Natalie McEwan, Opinions and Humor Editor

Joining The CT editorial staff during my final semester was a big leap. All I can say is I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner. This experience has been life changing. My writing has improved immensely, I’ve become friends with wonderful people and I’ve gained the confidence to express my opinions boldly. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed. The Opinions section wouldn’t exist without your voices. Speak up. Get loud. Get involved! And thank you to all the amazing editors I worked with. You are all so wonderful. I’m so excited to see where we all end up.

Bye everyone!

Arrick Wilson, Photo Editor 

These past four years have been amazing. From being a freshman Sports Editor to becoming the Photography Editor, things have been fun. Huge shoutout to Mark Jeffries and Jessica Clary for being great people who advise us. Thanks to everyone who has read, looked or shared my work with The CT.

I cannot wait to see what everyone does; I believe in everyone working for this paper. Advice to anyone thinking about joining the Student Media Center: Come here and do amazing work with amazing people. 

I’m grateful for everything. Watch when I win this Oscar in a few years. Trust me.

Peace. 

Killian Goodale-Porter, Illustrations Editor

It feels insane to say I’ve been Illustrations Editor at The CT for three years and that I am graduating in a bit more than a week. I’m sad — a lot of my time in school has revolved around Tuesday paper production, eating bagels with everyone at the Student Media Center and laughing with all the friends I’ve made along the way. This chapter of my life ending is scary.

But, like I said, I’ve been here for three years, and if the SMC has taught me anything, it’s that the students who get involved here are passionate people! We are all creative, fun and maybe a little bit eccentric, but I know because of this that student media is in good hands.

Big thank you to The CT staff, The CT artists and everyone who has helped me along the way. This paper doesn’t exist without everyone on our team. Keep illustrating and creating — get your voice out there!

Victor Romanko, Art Director 

The SMC has opened so many doors for me, and I’m so grateful for everyone I’ve met here. Thank you to Mark and Jessica, your guidance and constant support has given me the confidence to lead and serve others better than I ever could have imagined.

Thank you so much to the rest of the CT staff, and especially to my wonderful design team. Carter, Mimi, Zach, I can’t imagine a better group to work with. I’m still amazed I got paid to jam out and yap with you guys twice a week. To those staying behind, I’m so excited to see where you take the paper next. You really can make it whatever you want, and I know you have the knowhow and the passion to make what comes next nothing short of extraordinary. The CT is in good hands.

You got this!

Carter Lydon, Designer 

My time working at The CT has allowed me to really get involved in the production of a cooperative piece of work, experimenting and bouncing ideas off of fellow designers and editors. Staying late on Tuesday nights with friends to get a paper done by the morning has certainly been an experience that we have bonded over, and hopefully one I don’t have to do again.

It has led me to appreciate working and designing for print media, and expanded my love of design to a whole new field that I hadn’t even considered before. I would like to thank Victor, Zach and Mimi for making the Design Den the weird, amazing place it was.

So long, farewell and thanks for all the fish.