Photo courtesy of Kristen Elizabeth Photography

I remember my first day of classes at Oakland University as if it were yesterday. I had just received my associate’s degree in general studies at Macomb Community College and was ready to hit the ground running in pursuit of my bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Except, I wasn’t. Instead, I was terrified. I was worried I wouldn’t find my classes and was unprepared to navigate a campus far bigger than Macomb Community College’s South Campus. I was nervous I wouldn’t have what it took to obtain my degree, and graduation felt a world away.

The future was unknown and that thought was scary. However, standing here today with graduation just a few days away and knowing what my experience at OU had in store, I now welcome the unknown because it means something good is waiting just around the corner.

I didn’t know my first semester at OU would go off without a hitch, and I certainly didn’t know I would one day be the editor-in-chief of The Oakland Post. It’s an experience that has been incredibly rewarding and one I will never forget. It’s also an experience that would not have been possible without a few people.

My parents: Thank you for being my biggest supporters. You’ve always motivated me to leave my comfort zone for bigger and better things and you’ve always encouraged me to do whatever I set my mind to. I hope I make you proud in my next venture.

Mrs. Labelle and Mrs. Curcio: Thank you for being wonderful teachers. I met both of you at very different points in my life — one in second grade and the other in high school, but you both helped set me on the path I’m on today. You inspired me to become a writer, and I’m forever grateful.

Arianna Heyman: Thank you for being my mentor. Being the features reporter to your features editor and the content editor to your editor-in-chief was an invaluable experience. I learned so much from you then and only continued to learn from you as even though you graduated last semester, you continued to guide me in my time as editor-in-chief. I cannot wait to see what great things you’ll do in the future.

The Oakland Post staff: Thank you for helping keep independent student journalism alive. Every single staff member, whether a reporter or graphic designer, has had a hand in sharing important news with the people of OU. It has been an absolute pleasure working alongside like-minded individuals who share a passion for journalism and I admire all the hard work you’ve done creating Vol. 49 of The Oakland Post.

The OU community: Thank you for welcoming me with open arms. I have learned something from every professor and student I have met, and sharing your stories from my beginnings as a features reporter to now has been an honor. While my time at The Oakland Post is complete, I hope you’ll continue to read this publication as it enters its historic Vol. 50.

I will miss being the editor-in-chief of The Oakland Post. OU is extremely fortunate to have access to a newspaper such as this one, and it was amazing to be at the forefront of its creation, even if only for a fleeting moment. I cannot wait to take what I’ve learned and implement it into my career as a journalist elsewhere.

I leave Oakland University and The Oakland Post the same way I entered: staring face to face with the unknown.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.