My start in student print media is more unconventional than most students. I started writing for the Advance-Titan as a freshman, but only wrote two stories because Cory Sparks recommended me to write. I then focused my time on Titan TV and working a lot in the Radio TV Film program.
Sparks got me started and he never got to see me become assistant sports editor or co-sports editor, but here I am writing this saying I have held both titles.
The editor in chief Jacob Link got me back into the print media my senior year. He has become one of my closest friends and has seen me grow as a writer. I have grown as a writer because of him. From traveling to San Francisco via flight to an unforgettable road trip to Virginia all in the same month. I have made so many memories with you and I can’t wait to make many more.
The current news editor Zach Bellin was the co-sports editor when I returned to the paper. He allowed me to get my footing back in print media and write for the sports section. I can’t wait to see you continue to write in the fall. Without the opportunities he gave me I wouldn’t be writing this sendoff.
Josh Lehner, Link, Bellin and I were known as the “Fantastic Four” by the other editors. Link being Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Lehner being Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Bellin being Ben Grimm (The Thing) and I as Johnny Storm (The Human Torch).
Yes we asked Bellin what time it is where he would reply, “It’s Clobbering Time!”
The times that we have shared together, I will never forget. The memories that we have made because of the A-T will be carried with me well past graduation. I am beyond blessed and grateful to have you guys as some of my best friends, that I will have post graduation.
To my co-sports editor Nolan “Big Bear” Andler, thank you for allowing me to work with you. I can’t wait to see you continue your college career with the A-T.
To Vladyslav Plyaka, good luck next year as editor-in-chief. I know you will do great things and I can’t wait to see how you continue to produce the A-T.
To Lela Meinke I can’t wait to see the stories you pursue during your A-T career.
Anyone who isn’t graduating that I haven’t mentioned, I want to leave you with some words of encouragement. Continue the great work I know that you are all capable of. I’m so proud that I have met you all and got the chance to work with everyone. I know you will all do a fantastic job on the paper.
It’s time for me to take my first steps into the future and “Flame On” to the world of graduation, but I’m so grateful to have been a part of such a family, the first family at UW-Oshkosh.
