Senior Send-off: Don't say goodbye, it hasn't sunk in yet

My freshman year I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my time here at Hofstra. I wandered over to the club fair the first week of school and was immediately surrounded by what seemed like thousands of different clubs all trying to get me to join. Then, out of the blue, Felipe Fontes just appeared in front of me and said, “You want to write for sports!” Without even taking the time to consider if he meant that as a question or statement, I found myself following him to The Hofstra Chronicle’s table and signing up to join. From that moment on, I guess the rest is history.

I remember sitting in this office four years ago and listening to the seniors say their goodbyes and thank yous and I remember thinking that I was far away from having to worry about that. Yet, here we are. What seemed like just yesterday when I was in this office for the first time as a freshman has quickly blurred into me sitting here now for what could be the last time.

First, I have to say thank you to Felipe, Alex Licata and Chris Detwiler for giving the opportunity to join in the sports section and eventually join the editorial board. I didn’t think I was going to be hired as a freshman, let alone my first semester at Hofstra, with such a large candidate pool, but you all took a chance on me and I hope I made you all proud. I truly appreciate everything you all have taught me and hope that you all continue to do amazing work in your careers.

I also want to thank David Lazar who served on the sports staff with Felipe and I. Our trip to Washington D.C. for the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) championship will forever be a memory I cherish. It is crazy to think how in a flash we went from being in D.C. to being isolated in quarantine. You both mean a lot to me and I’m glad that I got to spend that time with you here at the Chronicle. Also, you both are doing incredible work right now and I’m excited to see what else in store for you two.

Mike Senatore and Will Wiegelman, you two have been tremendous friends to me and I am truly honored to have shared the sports section with you two. You both also did an incredible job with the section after I left to become EIC. I can’t wait to see where the future takes you and know that wherever your careers take you, you both will do great things.

Also, to the new members of sports: Andrew Fantucchio, Max Edelman, Michelle Rabinovich and Frankie DiCalogero, you all will do great things in the sports section (and possibly for the entire paper in the future) and I am excited to see where you take the sports section.

I also want to thank everyone over at the athletic communications office; Stephen Gorchov, Rachel Vogel, Len Skoros and Nick Kapatos. You all have been a tremendous help to me during my time with the Chronicle. Also, thank you for dealing with what must have seemed like an endless stream of emails from me over my three years in the sports section. Although this is the end of my time here with Hofstra, I look forward to hopefully crossing paths in the future.

To the previous Editor-in-Chiefs and Managing Editors, and even the section editors, thank you all for everything. I can’t possibly list everyone without the fear of forgetting someone but thank you for all the incredible things you’ve done here at the Chronicle.

I’ve also encountered some incredible people at the Chronicle over my four years that have had such an impact on my life. First, I think of the many late nights shared with Gab Varano. Gab, you are an incredible person and an even better friend. I love watching all of the projects you have been working on with your job and you are going to continue to do incredible things.

To Taylor Rose Clarke, our sweet guardian angel of the Chronicle, I know that you’ve been by my side this entire semester. You inspired me to be the leader that I am today and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t miss you. You were an inspiration to so many people and the best journalist I have ever met. I miss all of the long talks, random texts about award show snubs, the constant cranking of the dial when Taylor Swift or the Jonas Brothers came on, but most of all, I miss seeing you here in the Chronicle office. Taylor lived for the Chronicle and made it her life and I hope that I was able to show that same dedication to this paper.

I’ll always remember those memories shared between Taylor, Gab, Felipe and I. From many late drives around Long Island, to Monday night dinner before layout and even watching the CMA Awards right here in this office. But I never knew how much I cared about you three until you weren’t here. Going into COVID-19 I wasn’t really sure what was going to happen or even expect when arriving back at Hofstra. For some reason though it never really set in that you three weren’t going to be here until I actually got back to campus.

I never thought that I would become Editor-in-Chief of the Chronicle, but I knew I wanted to show that dedication to the paper just like Taylor. I loved working with all the editors across each section and truly thank each of you for your endless commitment to the paper.

I also can’t go without thanking our advisor, Brian McFadden. First, Happy Birthday! Second, thank you for dealing with the constant flood of emails from me this semester and responding almost immediately whenever the time might be. You have been a tremendous help to Tyler and I and I thank you for all that you do for us. Also, I wish I would have taken a class with you way sooner than my final semester!

Also, to Karla, thank you for your endless support of the Chronicle. I looked forward to our Monday meetings and will miss our rant sessions each week.

There are also several professors at Hofstra that I have to give a special thanks to. First Professor Fletcher, thank you for all you have done for me over my Hofstra career. You truly inspired me to become a better journalist and I am thankful to have been able to take two of your classes over the years. Also thank you for all of your help with my internship search and for being my advisor when I did find one.

Also, to Professor Fincham, you definitely had the most energetic and exciting zoom classes I have had. Although the switch to online was difficult for the most part, I was always excited for our Monday/Wednesday back-to-back classes on zoom. I wish I would have had the chance to take one of your classes in-person, but no worries, sooner or later I think we’ll be having a class reunion out in Ireland!

Now looking to the future, Alexis and Anna, I am incredibly proud of all the work you have put into the paper already in your time with the Chronicle. I know that you two are only going to take this paper to even greater heights. I cannot wait to see where you take the Chronicle next year.

To my trio this semester, Tyler and Julian, it has been an honor to work aside both of you throughout this semester. You both care so much about this paper and are both fantastic leaders. Tyler, I know you are going to do great things in your career, wherever the road takes you. Julian, you are only going to continue to flourish here at the Chronicle and I am excited to see what else you bring the paper.

It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t throw in a quick thank you to my family and friends back home. You all have been incredibly supportive of me over my time at Hofstra and I look forward to continuing my journey wherever that may be.

When I got to Hofstra I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my career. My time with The Hofstra Chronicle did confirm two things: I knew I wanted to stay in journalism and in sports. I still cannot fathom how I went from just a special to the Chronicle and staff writer in my first semester to Editor-in-Chief in my final. I don’t know when it is supposed to finally sink in that you are finally leaving, but I do know that this is just one place I just can’t imagine not being part of my daily life. This place has meant the world to me and I hope that I can look back and continue to see how this lone office in the corner of the Student Center continues to change lives of those in the Hofstra community. 

I guess this is the part where I say my goodbye. I know that the word has the best intentions most of the time, but I can’t really see where there the good in this bye is. Looking back on all of the memories and friendships I have with the Chronicle, the only thing I feel is sadness when saying goodbye. But now I just look up from my desk to the newly installed plaque for Taylor along the wall and know that it was all worth it. Every memory, every late night, every headache, every tear and every laugh were all worth it. If I could go back in time to the last time I was in this office before COVID-19 hit I would. I would trade anything to be able to come back here and see Taylor and tell her how much I miss her and how much I love her. I know you were watching over me this entire semester, and I hope I made you proud.

Thank you for everything, Hofstra.

-Anthony

Photo Courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle