Jaimie DalessioCopy editor, spring 2007 and fall 2008

On a weekend afternoon in December 2006, I left Haven Dining Hall, where I had been eating brunch with my two roommates, to meet Seamus O’Connor at 744 Ostrom. I had already accepted the head copy position for the spring semester. Seamus took me upstairs and out onto the porch, to my desk. He showed me how to post stories online using the December ducks. Now I’m writing my own.

Ethan: I learned so much from you. Thank you for hiring me, for giving me checks and minuses on copy, and for our Start page fun, too. You made me love The D.O. and my work here.

Nick and Rick: Working on the porch this semester was less cool without you.

ZB: No one but you has ever stolen my cell phone, put the ringer on loud, hid it above the bathroom doorway, too high for me to reach, and called it multiple times. Thanks for driving me to buy pup food.

Zach: Pup food princess, chunky chocolate, chips, salsa and seltzer.

Jared: I’m glad you’re headed back for Round 2. You’ll do great.Hannah: I miss you, friend!

Evan: M-dash! Remember Florence?

Lesley: Can we go back to Niagara right now?

Andy: So we disagree on The Falling Man, but at least I think you’re a better writer than Tom Junod.

Melanie: Copy pals forever.

Stephen and Erinn: I’m glad I came back. Thanks for having me. Good luck next semester.

Matt and Meredith: I’ll miss our little copy family.

Mike: You totally should have sat next to me and John in Com Law. Enjoy next semester. You’ll appreciate the time so much more than everyone else.

Tyler: I’m sorry I never bought you anything meal-ish for pup food.

Gelb: Larry Bird ain’t walking through that door.

Mom and Dad: Thank you for understanding my commitment to this paper and letting me work here, even if you wanted me to sleep more.

Isa and Mary: I’m sorry I missed all those dinners sophomore year. Thank you for tolerating my lack of a social life spring semester, and for always making me laugh.

728: I wish I could have hung out on the couch more. I’ll make up for lost time next semester.

John: I saw you for the first time from my desk on the porch. You walked up the stairs and into Sports wearing that plaid Guinness cap you never wear anymore and a navy blue sweatshirt. So here we are. I guess it’s fitting we leave The D.O. together. You work harder and care more than anyone I know, and I can’t wait for what comes after this. I love you.