Senior Send-off: Telling stories with a purpose

Struggling to find a sense of place at my new school, I desperately craved a home.

Enter The Hofstra Chronicle.

I felt magic in the air the first time I walked into the office. It was littered with newspapers and full of smiling faces. I immediately knew The Chronicle was for me.

Four years later, I can confidently say that seeing my name in so many editions of this one-of-a-kind newspaper has been one of my life’s greatest honors so far.

There is nothing better than having a crisp paper in your hand and feeling the unabridged pages covered in fresh ink, devoid of blue light.

The internet becomes more powerful every day, but there is something equally as powerful about print journalism, too. Endless time, effort, hard work, integrity and passion goes into creating those pages.

Those pages. Let’s talk about them.

First, information is collected. Students research facts, attend live events and speak to sources, using that information to write stories. Those stories are edited – by both section editors and copy editors – before being formatted in a layout. Once the layout is completed, the finished paper is printed and distributed around campus.

It would be a lot easier to simply post articles online, but The Chronicle recognizes the importance of having school paper. It represents equality, accountability and community.

The Chronicle’s staff sacrifices so much to make it happen. From the writers and editors that came before me to those that will come after, every single person has impacted me personally in some way. This newspaper has given me some of my greatest friends, some of whom I want to personally thank.

First, I have to recognize Anthony Roberts. We served as sports editors together, where he taught me many formative lessons. Watching such a deserving leader rise all the way to editor-in-chief has been a true pleasure.

Mike Senatore and Will Wiegelman are both wonderful journalists who facilitated a crucial transition. A few months ago, I was concerned about the future of the sports section – with a group of seniors leading the way, we needed a youth movement to keep us going.

The new group of sports editors – Andrew Fantucchio, Max Edelman, Frank DiCalogero and Michelle Rabinovich – is perfect, and any doubts I had have gone away.

And finally, I must mention my mentor and friend Taylor Clarke. She is The Hofstra Chronicle – when I think of this newspaper, she immediately comes to mind.

No words can begin to describe just how extraordinary a person Taylor was. She taught me so many things, but one thing stands out: kindness has a place in journalism. Through all the intensity, deadlines and competition, she showed me that I should always be grateful to tell stories, because each day is a gift.

The many people I have worked with helped make the last four years so special.

I wrote 33 articles, including my first game-recap, feature story and column, covered my first live sporting event, grew my graphic design skills, learned InDesign, won a Press Club of Long Island Media Award, led the sports section, mentored younger writers and made countless Monday and Tuesday night memories.

The Chronicle led me to The New York Post. The Chronicle led me to Spectrum News NY1. The Chronicle led me to where I am today.

To anyone considering becoming a staff writer, do it. This newspaper will teach you more about writing than anything else at Hofstra and could even change your life.

It certainly changed mine.

Photo Courtesy of Jacob Lewis/The Hofstra Chronicle