I came into Elizabethtown College as an undecided student and a commuter. I had no clue what my future would hold, and I really did not expect to write for “The Etownian.” I had been a busy student in high school, doing every musical extracurricular activity I could, so I figured I’d take a break. I wanted to focus on myself, go to class, get good grades and go home. I had no desire to be a part of anything bigger than myself, the introverted side of me won over. 

That didn’t stop me from trying, I spent a semester in orchestra and dropped it. I tried auditioning for Sock and Buskin, and didn’t get a part. I tried auditioning for Melica, and to no avail. I gave up on trying to do extracurriculars, I didn’t really have time anyway, I had a life at home and a job. 

It wasn’t until my junior year, when I was living on campus for the first time with the Editor of the Campus Life section Natalie Meyer, that I decided to join “The Etownian” staff. I did biweekly articles, with my first being a media review on my favorite game series, Ace Attorney. The photo I took was horrendous, and the writing was definitely corny at the end, but I still look at it fondly. 

Things rocketed off from there, with my involvement in the Campus Life section growing. I liked writing about things I appreciated, and I felt like getting my thoughts out there made some kind of impact, whether it’s meaningful or not is debatable. I had enough interest in Campus Life to accept Meyer’s offer for me to ascend to the assistant Campus Life editor position for my senior year.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that Meyer and the former Campus Life editor Charlie Carberry labored over the newspaper layout once a week. Why I still took the position after that is unknown to me, maybe a call to action, maybe I just thought it would take up time in my schedule. Either way, I felt intimidated by my new responsibility. 

Regardless, I took my position well. I assisted Meyer when I was able by doing three layouts a semester, took up extra articles if writers were busy, and completed my share of the work. 

My favorite article to write is the weekly horoscopes, which I usurped from the former Editor-in-Chief Chandler McGuire when she graduated. As a Pagan witch, with an interest in astrology, I felt I could do the horoscopes justice. Whether I’ve done a good job is subjective, but I believe I have. 

Now that I’m at the end of my time here at “The Etownian,” I feel content with the work I have done. I know I did the best I could and gave the Campus Life section some more vibrancy with my presence. I will miss writing articles about my silly and nerdy interests, but nothing is stopping me from doing that in my free time. 

I look forward to my future, hopefully acquiring a Master’s degree, then a doctorate after that. I want to become a Pagan priestess as well, stepping up to form a community in a group who’s been marginalized for far too long. 

If I can leave one piece of advice, never stop learning, and use that education to make the world a better place. 

So, with that said, farewell! May Campus Life prosper, and may Rory live on.