Dear Ticker,

It feels surreal to be writing a farewell letter. I walked in a year ago not knowing that I would be graduating so soon.

On a random Wednesday afternoon, I walked into the room because my friend, Mary (who, of course, is always in the know about everything on everyone), rated the leftovers from editorial meetings very highly. 

Needless to say, I came for the mango lassi and stayed for the community, stories and friends. 

It was on that same day that Laura, my predecessor, happened to be visiting campus during her time away in Albany. She was on the hunt for a new web assistant, and I enthusiastically volunteered. I hope this thread of spontaneous yeses continues to run through the next generation of web editors.

Any web experience I had in the past, which included some website-building using HTML and CSS, did not carry over to the kind of work Laura introduced me to: uploading articles and managing the website’s design. 

Uploading articles weekly, updating profile photos and bios and posting and taking down advertisements, all while curiously following the website view count and attending editorial meetings in between, allowed me to contribute to the newspaper behind the scenes. 

In my role, I danced around political and grammar issues alike, occasionally having to extend even stronger communication between our readers, writers and editors while maintaining a limited presence. This role challenged me to be intellectually courageous, choosing how and when to make editorial decisions as a web editor. I’m forever grateful to The Ticker for the endless laughter, encouragement and grace that it has offered.

I’ll always remember our shared playlist (and skipped songs) as well as the occasional website glitches.

To my successor, Ethel Garcia, I wish you luck on this new adventure and I know that you will run The Ticker’s website in the best way possible. 

To everyone who reads The Ticker, I hope you continue to support its strong legacy and the importance of student-run newspapers across college campuses, especially at CUNY and particularly at Baruch. 

I challenge you, too, to be intellectually courageous. To step outside your comfort zone.

I challenge you to not only speak your mind but also listen to and read your peers’ stories. 

With love and gratitude,

Stephanie