And so it has come to this. My duck. I guess it’s time to come clean to my mom: I knew my grades would drop even though I said they’d be fine, I didn’t work from 5 to 11 p.m., I DID work from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. more often than not, and yeah, I was in over my head. That being said, it was totally worth it. The Daily Orange has given more to me and taken more away than any entity I know. So yeah, I did sacrifice having the same social life as other kids on my floor freshman year. . . and sophomore year. . . and still am, but that’s who I am, and as sappy as it sounds I wouldn’t trade any memories I made in the last three years.

I’ve slept in my office for days at a time instead of going home in order to get work done. I’ve run out at 2 a.m. on a night the paper was supposed to be put to bed at midnight to photograph bar raids or breaking news. My freshman year I forced my self to stay awake at work when I was way too sick to be walking because I couldn’t leave the job undone. But I’ve also pushed myself harder than most of my peers, found out that yeah, some professors will give you a break because you work at The D.O. (and that some will make life harder), made connections, made jokes, made inappropriate gestures and most importantly, made friends. (chronologically. . .kinda)

Bradford: You were the first person I met at The D.O. You accepted my crazy ideas and came back with even crazier ones. You pushed me as a young photographer and made me think differently about the way I edit. You also gave me a place to live at the end of last summer. For all that and much more, thank you. Tear it up in France and keep sending photos my way.

Jackie: You are ridic. Your perspective as an art photographer made me look at the way I shot journalism differently. Having you to work (and argue) with is something I will never forget. Have an awesome time in NYC with the MILFs

Steve: This is too easy. I could make fun of your Star Wars tattoo, your tempurpedic mattress or just about anything else about you, but instead I’ll let you know what an awesome friend you are. It was always nice to have someone around who understood what I was talking about when the conversation turned to computers or videogames or something equally dorky. I predict Wii, AD and LOST in the future.

LarLar: Tehehehehehehehehe!! Laura, you’re a great friend, and according to you, my sister. My first contact in the news office and a friend ever since. Making you laugh is one of favorite pastimes, and I look forward to doing it more now that I have time to write better jokes.

Kathy Walsh: Katie, Kate, Kathy, K-Dubs, Catherine. . . a rose by any other name would still be as drunk. Kidding, of course, but you do love the wine. I’ve been missing you ever since you went to Ohio and ‘grew up.’ With my parting advice, I’d like to remind you that drugs are no laughing matter (since telling a KD joke wouldn’t be PC [she’s so tiny!]). Give ’em one for me!

Meredith: Wow. So much to say! Always there for advice, help and a good laugh. I’ve secretly always wished I could design like you. . . but I think that ship has sailed. I don’t want to make this a tearful goodbye because we’ll be working/living together in D.C. this summer!

Dana: We’ve had our mind-blowing fantastically awesome times together, and we’ve shared some pretty terrible ones too. I feel confident in saying that no matter what we’ll be friends. I miss you too, and Indiana is far, but it wouldn’t be too bad if you would consistently put your designs up on NPD! If you must ascend into adulthood don’t go quietly.

Seamus: In your duck you told me you were leaving me in charge of the only college institution you cared about. You also told me to clean out my desk. I can only hope you didn’t give Kirsten the same mixed messages, otherwise you’d be lucky to be together. Keep D.C. ready for me- I’ll be there in a couple months.

Jared/Mike: One memory that always stuck with me from you guys was my first-ever interview, when one of you turned to the other and said: ‘Queso?’ and whoever responded said ‘Do we really still say that when we’re hiring someone?’ Unfortunately I came to The D.O. at the end of your era, but both of your work in Web design and interactivity makes me wish I had been around earlier.

Ben Peskin: Whatever happened to your cooking blog? I need more recipes now that I have time to cook!

Jon Moses: I think I only understood about 45 percent of your artwork, but I loved it either way. I miss Macedonio!

Tim Gorman: I know that behind your mild-mannered facade is a wrestling hero ready to break out. A little secret: when I first became EIC I tried to think like you. . . I hope some of it wore off on me!

Susie: Tsk tsk tsk McElligott, we never get to see each other, and it’s a damn shame, of course you’re in London right now so I don’t know if you’ll see this, but if you do, never change.

Kevin Casey Bellew: You never cease to make me laugh Casey. It doesn’t matter the situation, you always have the best, under-the-collar, off-the-cuff snarky comments. I wish you could have stayed at the D.O. for this semester, but I can’t say I loved being in the office every night either.

Rob Howard: An inspiration to us all. . . I agree, college is a sham, but I think I’m gonna finish it out before I mooch off of your future millions (seriously, you will make millions, and I will mooch). On that note, is DivPub hiring?

Melissa (Valliant): You always make me think you’re from the West Coast, because you’re the chillest person I know. How about this semester you stop texting me that we should hang out more and we actually hang out more?

Sahar: I know we started out rocky as freshmen, but I really hope you know that I appreciated working with you every step of the way. Your style is unmatched, from the sports front to your awesome outfits.

Lesley: This is a tough one. I know you got the brunt of it, but I like to think the times we would stay late to send the paper. . .only to come back at 5 a.m., are memories we will both cherish-in a way. I would say we should hang out more this semester, but you’ll probably be using your free time to do the ‘Tashmo Shuffle’ in inappropriate places. Say hi to Matt Gorman for me!

Kelsey: You were a fantastic assistant and just as good a friend. I wish I had the cajones to take a semester off and work at Disney. It was nice to share an office with a fellow PA resident; we’ll need to hang out more this semester.

Joey/Lindsay: Possibly the best two people to see share an office. Ever. Lindsay, I know you’ll be sexually harassing me (among others) in our classes this semester, so I’ll leave the shmultz for when you graduate and kick Howard Schatz/Annie Liebovitz off their pedestals. Joey, I know you’re gallivanting around Europe right now, and I hope you’re having an awesome time, I can only imagine you’re using your Boy Scout skills to the max.

Hannah: It makes me sad that I have to say ‘Bye Friend!’

Pledge (Eric): We may have had the weirdest roommate dynamic ever, I can think of only a couple conversations we ever had at the Butt House, and then the rest of the time at The D.O. You’re a great friend, and I’m already missing your great one-liners despite the fact it’s only two weeks into the semester.

Melanie: More than any other newsie I’ve known, I think you’ve got it the most. Spunk.

Moxie. Chutzpah. You need more confidence though! Quit worrying so much and enjoy your summer at the O.C. Register

Levin: We can’t print the words I’d use to describe, and I mean that in the best way possible. You should speak up more and learn to raise your voice, because you always have something good to say.

Heather Mayer: Too easy. I’ve seen you go out after one drink, so I have no idea how you lasted in Australia. Stay tough.

Evan: I’ve always wanted to be artistic, but I think you have a lockdown on most of the talent that’s out there. By the way :01101000 01101111 01110111 00100000 01100100 01101111 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00100000 01110011 01100001 01111001 00100000 01110010 01100101 01101001 01110011 01100101 01110010 00111111

Melissa (Daniels): It’d be easy to find something to rag on you with, but I do that enough already. Don’t lose sight of what’s right in front of you. You have a lot of talent and confidence that you keep balled up inside. Unleash that on news this semester, and you will own this campus.

Schonbrun: When I first met I never heard you say a damn word for a whole semester. When you finally came out of that shell you turned out to be a smart, funny, cool kid. Oh yeah, your writing is fantastic too. Take some time off to hang with Q.

Gelb: I could never have pictured you working at an office supply store until you looked at the print server and it started working again. You’re another editor whom I wished I could be like, and I know you’ll be fine upon entering the real world.

ZB: The voice of reason. I have never seen anyone use logic as sharp as the finely honed samurai sword that you wield, but it’s a sight to be seen.

Katie (Schuering): We will go ghost-hunting one day, I decree it. In the meantime, don’t let them crazy VPA profs drive you nuts.

Erinn: Another one who needs to speak up more. You need to be the glue that holds the tiny birdhouse of the feature office together. Also, keep Levin in line.

Adam: Your beard will never be able to compete with mine, but you did get to go to Florence, and I’m more than sure you have the better end of the deal. . . apparently this deal involved beard length and travel. At any rate, enjoy it while you can, Syracuse and Siracusa are two very different places.

Mela: Whenever I needed a shot of creativity I paid your office a visit. Your artistic talent and sheer wit boggle me. I wish we had done more releases of The Party Hat, and I also wish that you weren’t a clam. mmKay?

Andy: I’m glad we roped you into it; you’re a born leader-don’t let it get to your head. My only regret is that I wish I had a video camera that one night when you decided to ‘shake that laffy taffy.’ When you start to get stressed (and you will), remember that your job is to keep everyone happy, including yourself.

Ethan: I don’t even know what I can say. I feel you’re so far ahead of me any advice would be obvious. If I tell a joke you’ll either roll your eyes at me or break out into raucous, contagious and unexpected laughter, so I guess I’ll have to give the advice a shot: laugh more! I have no doubt you’ll be a great EIC and, in time, a revered alum.

To my professors: I’m sorry. I know I came to class looking like death, I know I took on more than I should have in your classes, and I know that it didn’t always work out for the best.

Doc: You gave me the first meaningful advice I got in college, imparted vast hoards of photo-wisdom and tolerated my bleary-eyed attentions and criticisms in your classes. If I ever need proof to show someone I spent the night at the paper, I’ll just ask you for my head shot from your 456 class!

McNaughton: You’ve done more for me as a professor than most people would do in a professional relationship. I can never thank you enough for your direction, advice and suggestions when I come to you with crazy ideas, but one by one, you’re helping me make them all real, even if you’re not in the same state.

Bruce: I’m not dropping this lightly when I say you are easily the best professor I’ve had. You didn’t change the way I looked at visual journalism, but I was thankful when I realized someone else was looking at it the same way I was. You’ve given me a confidence in my work I never thought I would have. . . the broadband Emmy may be out of reach right now, but you can bet I’ll give it a try.

To my family: I’m sorry that once I came to school and worked at the paper I never shut up again about journalism/technology/The D.O./multimedia/my hatred of broadcast news, but I think you all tolerated it pretty well. At least one of those is off the list for now.

Mom: So yeah. . . I know I lied to you, but I didn’t want you to worry about me working late nights! I was always perfectly safe going home, I PROMISE. . . I’m a big boy now. At any rate I don;t think you could argue that the hours paid off. I love you, and I know you’re always behind me, even if I don’t always show it.

Dad: I remember how worried you and mom were when I said I wanted to follow your footsteps and become a photojournalist, but even more so I remember how you came around first, and realized that there was no changing my mind. I know you tend to think I teach you things about photography, but believe me when I say I learn something more every time we talk shop.

Nana/Pap: You two have put so much stock in me over the years, I only hope that you’re happy with the way your investment turned out. I love you both and am so thankful that I have family that supports me the way you do.

Pop-Pop/Grammy: You have always been there to help me out, and whenever I felt a loss of confidence in my work, Grammy, you would always see the best in it. I know that both of you want the best for me, and I want to assure you that I’m happy, healthy and proud to be from such a strong family. I suppose this is how it ends, of course I rambled, I always do. If you’re reading this sentence it’s too late. I have left The D.O. Endgame. Done. Fin. Best. -AJ

Published on January 24, 2008 at 12:00 pm