May 4, 2016

Being a journalist is the most important thing I will ever do, and I am so grateful that every week for the past four years I have been able to learn and grow alongside so many talented, passionate people at the Royal Purple.

It’s not easy to do your job well. It’s late nights and long days, sacrifices and constant emails. But looking back on my career at the RP, I couldn’t be happier with the countless article clips I’ve produced, the life-long skills I’ve gained and the deeply-rooted passion I’ve developed.

Being a news writer taught me to find the story. Being lifestyle editor taught me to get to know the people within those stories. Being managing editor taught me how to solve problems, and being editor in chief taught me to make the tough decisions that will always come up.

There is nothing more rewarding to me than sharing the truths and the stories of the people in my community, and without the Royal Purple I wouldn’t be able to fulfill my dreams of doing that for the rest of my life.

After graduation I will leave my post as editor in chief and begin my first “big girl” job as assistant editor at AviationPros.com based in Fort Atkinson. You can also keep up with my writing in Milwaukee County as I continue to freelance for the Community NOW and Lake Country publications.

To my first RP bosses, Michael Riley and Alex Zamecnik: Thank you for giving me people to look up to ever since the beginning of my RP career. No other people I know are more natural journalists than you two are in your own right. Thank you for everything each of you did for the RP, and then for turning into my friends.

To Dr. Carol Terracina-Hartman: Thank you for always being the RP’s biggest cheerleader, mentor and stand-in nagging mother to all of us. You do so much more for student journalists than I think most people realize. Thank you for believing in me, allowing me to realize my own potential and teaching me what it means to be a journalist down to the absolute core.

To the current RP staff: For a bunch of students in a field of study that is supposed be “competitive” you’re the most supportive and encouraging work family out there. Aim for the stars, make your dreams come true, don’t be afraid to do what you know you can, never listen to the people who say you shouldn’t and don’t forget to meet your deadlines.

To my soccer family: I will never have better friends than you. Thank you for always being proud of me and encouraging me to continue with the Royal Purple even if it meant missing practice, and for never making me feel like I had to choose between the two.

To our readers: Thank you for your letters, your shares/comments/likes, your phone calls and your compliments in passing.

Goodbye, Warhawks. Who would have thought a piece of my heart would forever be stuck in Whitewater, Wisconsin.