From the Editor’s Desk: Live and Die by The Bird

At The Phoenix, we have a slogan we often joke about: “Live by The Bird, die by The Bird.” For many of us on staff, it’s not as much of a joke as it probably should be. 

One year ago almost to the day, I sat down at this same desk to write my first From the Editor’s Desk, frankly terrified for what the 57th volume of The Phoenix might bring. This issue, my final edition as editor-in-chief, marks my 205th college byline — 154 of which have been with The Phoenix — and my 81st edition of the paper. Since the first week of my freshman year, something has been published under my name in every issue.

This role is a strange one. Although I’m a Rambler, I’ve never truly played the part. I remain on the outside, observing students as they experience college, keeping up with the activities of administration and interacting with community members as much as possible, towing the line between being a reporter and a member of the Loyola community. There aren’t many students on campus who know as much about the university — good or bad — as I do. 

I often say the most important thing in the world to me is whatever I’m doing right now. And for the last four years, it’s been this job. 

I’ve slept with my ringer on every night, and I’ve had more Phoenix stress dreams than I’d like to admit. I’ve edited stories from my phone at restaurants and on the floor of grimy hostels in Europe. I’ve written articles from 30,000 feet in the air, made more mistakes than I can count and atoned for all of them, spent nearly every Tuesday in the windowless newsroom and passed Christmas mornings and birthdays writing breaking news articles. I’ve been doxxed, received hate mail and been sent death threats for the stories I’ve exposed. 

But I wouldn’t change a single second of it. For me, college doesn’t exist without The Bird. It’s defined my time at Loyola, and now, I’m not quite sure what to do without it. One thing I’m confident about, however, is that I’m leaving it in the very best of hands. I’m nothing without my incredible staff and support system, but this article can only be so long, so I’ll save some of the sappy stuff for my final farewell next week.

To the entire staff of The Phoenix — I’ve never met another group of journalists so talented and passionate about the work they’re doing. You all made me fall back in love with journalism this year in ways I didn’t know I needed, and you were truly the prime example of what a positive newsroom culture where journalists can lean on each other looks like. I am immeasurably proud of the work we’ve done together. 

In particular, I extend endless love and gratitude to Julia Pentasuglio, my current managing editor and the incoming editor-in-chief for next year. This year, she’s been my right-hand-woman. When I was unsure, she always seemed to know the answer. We saw the lowest lows and the highest highs together this year, and I cannot wait to see where she takes the paper next. There is nobody else I would trust more to handle this once-in-a-lifetime job with grace and dignity. 

I’m known for talking a lot. But for maybe the first time in my life, I’m confident I have nothing more to say other than cheers, and thank you for reading. It’s been the honor of my life to serve this campus and newsroom, and the only thing I can hope is that I’ve left the publication better than when I found it.