I’ve gotten to the point at the Vidette where I’m kind of like an elderly person who acts inappropriately and says really absurd things but you just ignore them because they’re old.

For example, it’s my last day working at the Vidette and I couldn’t possibly be any more obnoxious. But I’ve worked at the Vidette for eight semesters and throughout that time I have grown to learn that my Vidette family is like a real family in that their love is unconditional, no matter how obnoxious I may be.

I’ve learned a lot of things from the Vidette and have established a great base of knowledge when it comes to journalism. But what is just as important to me is the bonds that I’ve made.

First and foremost I must mention Ashley Schrader. We were hired at the same time and were the only freshmen and only girls on the sports staff. I feel like the chances that we would get along fabulously were slim, but we did and she is the greatest friend that I’ve made at ISU. In the past couple years we have had some differences, but I love that whenever we’re together it’s like nothing has changed.

When we were sophomores we both applied for the open sports editor position. Even though I knew she was going to get it, I was still devastated when I didn’t. But even so, I was the first to congratulate her and when I saw her later that day, it was her shoulder that I cried on and for that I’m thankful and I’m thankful for her amazing friendship.

Tony Andracki and Scott Gleeson (listed in alphabetical order and also in order of who has better hair and eye colors). These two guys decided to hire me because I gave a great example during my interview of how I was a cheerleader in high school. They taught me a lot about writing and sports, and Scott still harasses me about writing, but it’s with my best interests in mind.

Eventually during my time as a reporter we were able to break  the boss-employee barrier and become friends. This has led to good times such as Scott laughing and clapping his hands like a monkey with cymbals and me driving three and a half hours to get to Tony’s graduation party even though it was only 40 minutes away. If my life was like the movie “Maid of Honor,” one of these dudes would play Patrick Dempsey. I’m glad that I have gotten the opportunity to work with these two and that we no longer always have to be “professional” (motions hand over face).

What I love most about the Vidette is that it always brings together a group of people who are so different, but when we’re all in the Vidette building, we gel well. It’s kind of like “The Breakfast Club,” how we’re all capable of getting along even though we have different perspectives and backgrounds. Obviously not everyone gets along all the time, but when that happens I usually find myself texting someone who is sitting feet away from me so we can talk about how awkward it is, and I love that I can do that.

While I can’t mention everyone who I’ve ever worked with, I would like to acknowledge some of the friends I’ve made and this is going to be in the most random order ever — Tawni, Melanie, Erin, Logan, Megan, Alyssa, Katherine, Davis, Frank, Kevin, Michelle, Martha, Andy, Brandon, Amy S., Amy G., August, Caitlin, Fogel, KP, new Scott, new Kevin, Mason, Andrew S. Avitt, Grace, Rosie, Lindy, Kayla, Emma, Brian, Ariana, Adam, A.J., Todd and Andrew Rosten.

I know I’m forgetting a bunch of people, but that’s kind of the beauty of it — that I got to know this many people.

Overall at the Vidette, I’ve learned a lot and have made a lot of memories that I’ll never forget and I know that when I leave ISU, it’s going to be my Vidette family that I keep in touch with. Down the road when I reminisce and talk about my “college friends,” it’s going to be the people from the Vidette that I’m talking about.   

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