Ce n'est pas un adieu, C'est juste un au revoir

I’ve been sitting in my office here contemplating what to write for a while. I’ve listened to my feel-good music -- both Bob Dylan and Kings of Leon -- and even some extreme-feel-good music -- Spice Girls. But, alas, it’s still the end. This is still the last night I’ll sit in this big office and watch the staff run around between homework, emotions and getting a paper out on time.
I’ve worked here at The Daily Gamecock for two years now, but this has been a long time coming. When I was three I used to dance around for my mother’s camera with a newspaper, singing and “reading.” At 7, I made my own newspapers about animal rights, complete with jumps (“see page A13”), advertisements I drew for princesses and comics of my big brothers getting in trouble. My pen name was “Ashley Olsen.” By middle school I was making newsletters for all my friends with gossip columns, movie reviews and other silly girl things. By seventh grade I was working tirelessly on the yearbook. This continued in eighth grade.
Freshman year of high school I couldn’t wait to work for the newspaper. By senior year I was the editor, and it was one of the best experiences of my life -- until now.
The Daily Gamecock has been one of the most rewarding, entertaining and educational experiences in my life. I don’t think anything else could be like this. It’s not just for my resume. I’ve learned twice as much, if not more, by working up here for two years than I could have in my classes down at the J-school for four.
Leaving this place isn’t easy. It tears me apart every night when I leave here. I go home and stare out my ceiling reliving headlines. I beat myself up over mistakes, I get upset when staffers are upset and now I have to say goodbye.
It was unexpected, heart breaking and an emotional roller coaster, but two weeks later I’m slowly getting there.
These people are my second family, and I love them all. We’ve had our disagreements, low points and fights, but we still come back Sunday through Thursday to make this newspaper. I wish there was some way to actually say what I feel, but Willy Wonka said it right: “For some moments in life there are no words.”
For a writer and a destined journalist, that’s a hard pill to swallow.

So to the spring staff of 2007: Thank you all for letting me be your editor. Thank you for all the support, fun and love. Good luck to you all in whatever you choose to do in the upcoming years. You have all made an indelible mark on my life, and I owe you all so much for that.

To past staffs: I don’t know how you all did this.

To Alexis Arnone: you’re my sister, my best friend and the best roommate. You helped me through so much. Good luck in Charleston and in all you do, even though you don’t need it.

-- Liz White
Editor in chief