My whole life, I always said I would be a journalist if money didn’t matter.
Controversial, I know. You shouldn’t choose a career just because of the money, I know. I think it’s very important to choose a career you are passionate about regardless, I do.
But I was passionate about a lot of things. Particularly, things that make a little more money. It worked out for me — I never really thought about journalism, and I barely had time to write anyway; I was pursuing a double degree with a B.S. in Business Administration and a B.A. in Law.
Spring semester 2024 I took COM 101 for elective credit. It bumped me to 21 credits for the semester, but I was told it was an “easy A,” and I needed a lot more credits to have an on-time graduation.
Towards the end of the semester, Matt Parino came and spoke to the class. He spoke about his career working with the Buffalo Bills, his time in college, and the fact that he taught a class, ENG 394, on Thursday nights. Though I knew I wanted to go to law school, I was undecided on what career I was looking for. Sports had always interested me, and my friend in the class knew that. She suggested I take the class and see what it had to offer.
That class introduced me to The Spectrum. I started on the sports desk, covering essentially only women’s basketball games. A free pass to the games, chance to write about something I was really interested in? Worked for me.
After the semester ended, I applied to be an Assistant Sports Editor. I loved covering the games, I loved having the opportunity to write again, and I knew I would love editing.
At the end of my first semester as an editor, there were elections for Editor in Chief. The thought had not even crossed my mind. Former EIC, Ricardo Castillo suggested I run, but I didn’t take it seriously — after all, I only had two semesters of experience. Later, professor and faculty advisor Matt Parino — the same man who got me into The Spectrum in the first place — pulled me aside and told me I would make a great candidate. Who am I to not take an opportunity a professor is presenting me?
So, I ran. And I won.
I was thrilled at the opportunity to lead. I spent the summer before my term cleaning out the office and doing virtually anything I could to prepare myself for the role. When the time came, I stepped into it, and I think I did a pretty good job. There are things I would love to go back to, mistakes to learn from, but the paper did not fall apart, so I consider that a win.
I could’ve never done so on my own. Like I try to tell my editors and staff writers as much as possible, this paper is not possible without the help of everyone who writes, edits, uploads, makes social media posts, files our taxes, — everything.
Ciah and Drew, you guys really held the fort down on the sports desk. I was never nervous, but you two did better than I could’ve expected. Drew, I am going to miss the way I never knew what was going to come out of your mouth and our little chats after the editor’s meetings. Ciah, you stepped up so many times, writing last minute articles to try and make sure every sport had coverage, while also covering things of your own interest. I am so grateful to have met you at our very first Phi Alpha Delta event and to have dragged you into this (willingly!) with me.
Jacob and Saqib, you two make an amazing features duo, and I wish we could’ve seen it for longer. Saqib, like I said when I read your very first article, I think I would read a story about watching paint dry if you wrote it. Not only are your ideas out of the box, but you are such a talented writer that you truly can make a great story about anything. I am very grateful you took an opportunity to showcase that to the world. Jacob, you have covered so many things I would’ve never even thought to cover, and it has made for great, unique stories. You have such a knack for features writing and the desk would not have been the same without you in any way. Though sometimes we do have to cut your 1800 word articles down — by quite a bit — I know that you are just using your talent to tell a full story, which you do so well.
Alyssa and Olivia, we could not have done it without you. Though we struggled sometimes wrangling up the staff photographers, you both were always ready to jump in and save the day. Olivia, your sports photos are great, and I can’t thank you enough for having so many readily available every week. Alyssa, what can I even say? You locked in from the beginning, from keeping staff writers in check, working with me to create a new Drive for pictures, answering my last minute texts to find a photo, the list never ends. Not only have you been so helpful, but you never fail to provide the perfect comedic relief everyone needs. I feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to work with you.
Mylien and Nadia, a newspaper is nothing if it doesn’t have news. News was the desk I dreaded coming into EIC — I didn’t know how to write like you guys, how to keep things concise, or how to contact and interview all the people you do for stories. Thankfully, I barely needed to because you two had it so under control. Nadia, Mylien needed help, whether she wants to admit it or not, it is hard to try to do everything on your own in such a time-sensitive desk (though she did a fantastic job). I am grateful you came onto the team and could be that support. Mylien, you are amazing. You are so talented and you never give yourself enough credit. You have been so helpful to me this year, and you have done an amazing job the past years building a very reliable, strong, and efficient reputation. I am glad you ran for EIC, you will do a great job filling that role, and I look forward to seeing that unfold.
Sabrina, Emma, and Wasif: social media, newsletter design, and business management are all things that take place behind the scenes. Without that, we would never be able to succeed. Sabrina, you have done a great job balancing having a full-time job and making sure posts are scheduled, everything is edited, and responding to DM’s. Wasif, we shared the struggles of getting everything in order in the beginning, but once we figured it out you were on a roll — and you’re the one who makes sure we get paid, so I have to thank you. Emma, I am so happy you are showcasing your creative abilities with the newsletter every week. Your themes are always so well thought out, cohesive, and make the newsletter much more interesting! I also always look forward to seeing you on production days, and seeing your new designs every week.
Belle, I have no idea where we’d be without you. I felt like finding a copy editor was going to be the hardest role to fill, and then you showed up and it was like pieces in a puzzle. You fit in so perfectly with our dynamic, and you have been more helpful than I could’ve ever imagined. From editing grammar, fact-checking and linking sources, to giving us a break from focusing with something to laugh about, you have made every Tuesday something I look forward to. I hope that you do choose to stay with The Spectrum next year, but I know regardless, you will do a great job in your Master’s Program.
Amy, where do I even begin? You have been my rock this year. From listening to me b***h about… well, everything, to problem solving anything that comes up. You always catch the niddy-griddy details I miss during editing, know how to find a good photo — and how to upload it into CEO (or Google Keep) — and everything in between. If I keep writing everything I want to say to you, I would have to write a whole separate article. So, for my last thank you, I want to say thank you for always buying me dinner on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. Your meal swipes are irreplaceable.
I don’t know what I would’ve done without The Spectrum. My hope when I joined was if anything, it could scratch my journalism itch. That it did, and even more, it gave me an opportunity that I was searching for for a long time, before I even knew it.
And for my closing, I add exclamation points. Because no one will take them away from me! Professional or not.
Thank you for everything!!!!!
Izabella Ducato was the Editor in Chief and can be reached at izabella.ducato@ubspectrum.com
