Whenever people ask me how long I have been working at the Lanthorn, I laugh, because the truth of the matter is, it’s hard for me to remember when I didn’t work for the paper. In fact, I wrote my first article before I had even started classes at Grand Valley State University. Four years and approximately 1,000 cups of coffee later, here I am, getting ready to say goodbye. 

From news writer to news editor to associate editor to editor-in-chief, I feel like I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen cars spontaneously burst into flames in the parking lot, I’ve seen lights go up on 48th Avenue and I’ve seen the Lanthorn staff grow and change throughout the years. Even though it’s always sad when a Lanthorn group leaves, it’s even cooler to get to see what we do and where we end up after graduation. 

People joke about having “work husbands” and “work wives,” but at the Lanthorn, we’re a “work family.” I know that sounds cheesy and groan-worthy but I think all families are a little cheesy and groan-worthy. 

We have the sports editor who is the little brother of the operation. Running on their own time and coming up with headlines that really push the limits, you can’t help but love their creativity. Then we have the arts and entertainment and laker life editors who are the older sisters of the show. Though they only publish once a week, they are really what keep us sane. There’s also the layout and photo team who are definitely the fun older cousins that we all strive to be like but aren’t nearly as talented as. Then the news editor. Stressed to the max and always in work mode, the news editor is the mom that makes sure everything happens when it’s supposed to happen. The associate editor is the cool aunt that helps you through the hard times, buys you a beer and helps you get back up and at it. Last but not least, we have the business and advertising departments who are the ambiguous dads in the background. You’re not completely sure what they do or how they do it, but it’s always done in the same way with minimal mistakes. And then there’s me. Who am I in this family mix? I guess it depends on who you’re asking.

Though most of the Lanthorn staff is graduating this semester, I hope you remember us fondly. Whether you’ve seen us eating our weight in tacos at Main Street’s 50 cent taco night or watched us struggle through trivia night at Peppinos, we sure did have a lot of fun. It was an honor to serve the GVSU community and we hope that you enjoyed this past semester of the Lanthorn. 

As I get ready to hand the operation over to Emily Doran, our next editor-in-chief, I can’t help but be excited. Sad that this amazing organization will no longer be a daily part of my life, but excited to see where things will go. I wish the next Lanthorn staff all the luck in the world and I know that they will do a great job.