It was a few weeks after my first year when a few girls in my class J 304 went on stage to the auditorium to announce them and some others were about to publish their first daily Texane stories.
Everyone has applauded and applauded – teachers, students, heaps. It was an incredible moment for them.
But back in my seat, I felt embarrassed. Two weeks earlier, I received my rejection email.
“Why not me? I said to myself.
The following semester, I was faced with two choices: to live in defeat or try again, and I decided on the latter. I finally entered, but my moment of pride did not last long. Shortly after, in another class, we read a Texan story written by another of my classmates, also a first -year student. Under their signature, he read “senior reporter”.
Embarrassment again. Why were they building their careers faster than me? What did I hurt?
Six semesters after my initial rejection, I write this piece as head of department.
Throughout the last three years, writing for daily Texan, I stopped comparing myself. I did not leave the tears that have flowed on my face while I read the “We cannot offer you a place in the staff” in the Castillian study room stops continuing to try. I did not let obtain a no of P-Staff prevent me from having the semester of my life and making my name known on the scale of the editorial room. I did not let it be demoted to the senior journalist after spending a summer while the editor -in -chief of office prevents me from returning my way.
At the end of the day, I cannot control how the others move, but I can control myself. I write this piece with a heart full of gratitude for all the opportunities I had, all the people who believed in me, and for the insecurity which would be so proud of the place where it is now.
I need to start my long list of thanks by thanking the one who rejected me first, seriously. Jordan Mitchell was the deputy editor at the time and covered the football beat. However, she took the time to meet me and help me improve before reappearing in the spring.
Thank you, Christina Huang, for welcoming me in the department and being the biggest leader. I used to send a message to Christina all the time to ask the most stupid questions about Texan, until I started to disturb her with publishing and questions. Now, I always send him a text to enter the professional world. And she answers! If I can be 1% of the leader she was for me to the new writers, I will know that I have succeeded.
Thank you, Evan Vieth, for giving me a place in P-Staff and for preparing myself to assume the role of sports editor after you. Large shoes to fill, for sure!
I must also thank Manny Ramirez, my beating partner for an entire year in the rhythm of women’s basketball. What a trip we made from Austin to Portland. I am so proud of the work we have done and everything you have done since you left Texan.
To my basement team – Zach, Anna, Meaghan, Alistair, Nick, Sophia, Charlie, Alyssa, Matthew – Thank you a million times for having excited to go to work. We have transformed the sports department of the quietest and the least social in the basement at the height. I love each of you as much as Anna loves beers at Dollar and Matthew likes to “save democracy”. I am so excited to see everything you do then!
Although she is part of this same group, I must write a separate paragraph for the greatest partner I could have asked for. Lauren Hightower is like Superwoman in my eyes. She is a neuroscience, pre-medical student who makes journalism and nautical trucks during her free time. This is the person who brings his genetics homework to the male basketball press box and writes a killer story before the deadline. We went from the coverage of off-season football together during our first semester with the beating of male basketball and at the head of this department. I’m so proud of us. I know that sport is between you, I can’t wait to see you prosper!
Thank you to our advisor, Peter Chen, for all criticism, good and bad, and to support our staff every day. Thank you for your dedication to help us grow as writers and leaders. I wouldn’t be the same thing without you!
My biggest thanks must go to my biggest fans, my family. Thousands and thousands of kilometers, they have read all my work. They do not only read them, but also ask all the possible questions of the universe. They want to know how I addressed my subject, how my writing process works, how I proceed from the heights and how the edition takes place. Thank you, really, for taking so much care, for taking the time to support everything I do. I learned a lot from them – resilience, leadership, determination. I would not be there if my family was not willing to sacrifice as much to send me to another country at 16 to follow my dreams. Obrigada, Obrigada, Obrigada!
Thank you, Daily Texan, for the best years of my life. I am eternally grateful.