When I walked into 744 Ostrom Avenue for the first time, I transcended into a different universe. The walls were decked out in relics of the past. The rooms smelled a little moldy. The people were hyper-focused, yet, a bit silly. I wasn’t sure what I had gotten myself into. Compared to the university campus, it was worlds apart. It was different.

But different isn’t bad. I’m thankful for sticking around… The Daily Orange has truly shaped me into the person I am today.

To all those who I crossed paths with at 744, thank you.

Talia: You’re drive to learn and do more is one of the many reasons I think you’re an incredible designer. Print… digital… you do it all! I’m really going to miss our walks from design class to the D.O. Thanks for answering all of my gluten-related questions, there’s so much to know! Talia, I am so thankful to have you in my life and cannot wait to see where the design world takes you.

Maeve: My first D.O. iSchool buddy turned out to be one of the greatest friends I could ever ask for. The times you’d text me and ask “Hey are you okay, do you need anything?” seemed so well-timed. I don’t know how you do it alongside the thousand other roles you hold. Keep on being a rockstar.

Ghael: For the number of feuds we’ve had this semester, thank you. I like to think we added a bit of drama to the house. Perhaps we’d make great reality television. Just kidding. But for real, thanks for stepping up to the plate and putting your heart and soul into The D.O. Podcast. It made Monday’s fun.

Eva: Where do I begin? Thank you for being one of the two digital design stars in the room. When Amy and I hired you we were so impressed with the level of work you were producing. Thanks for giving me some lessons on Long Island. I would like to visit someday. It seems like a cool place.

Karleigh: One of the things I most admired about you was your willingness to speak up. It’s something I lacked a lot of the time when I was a digital design editor. Thank you for giving me dentist recommendations. It was a big help. Hah!

Emma C: Receiving a phone call from you freshman year was honestly one of the happiest memories I have had at Syracuse. Your design-eye and ability to critique taught me so much. In addition to your sparkling personality, you deliver on your promises. You’re the person I will always and forever look up to. Thank you for hiring me.

Lucy: I am so happy to see where you ended up. All your hard work and determination paid off. Thank you for sharing my love and admiration for Paddington bear. Have you watched Paddington 2 yet?

Andy: I’m sorry for quitting on you. In retrospect, I’m not sure why I did. Nonetheless, I’m glad you showed me the ropes and led us as the promenade and Snapchat king.

Casey D: When we have sat down and discussed everything going on at The D.O. we’ve had the best times. Let’s do that again next semester when you’re digital editor. It’ll be fun.

Nat: You killed it. You absolutely killed it. Innovative ideas and a timeliness factor that made me question, do they sleep? I am so incredibly proud of the work you’ve produced this semester and am glad we were able to share our last day on assignment.

Emma F: Staring at the blank page before you, open up the dirty window…

Lydia: Thanks for being such a great role model. Two years ago, we were walking on the quad together talking about who knows what. It was fun. 

Haley: Watching Beauty and The Beast with you and Emma Folts opened up a whole part of your personality I have never seen. Sometimes The D.O. does that. It blinds you from the personalities behind the title. I’m glad to know my editor-in-chief has a hidden talent: Broadway star.

Leffert: Thank you for putting up with my ways.

Mike Escalante: You are someone I look up to. The things we were able to create this semester wouldn’t be possible without you. As I was cleaning up the IT closet for the last time, I found many Escalante relics of the past. It’s insane how much of an impact you’ve made on our publication. It is much appreciated.

Diana: Every time I hear Calabria 2008, I will think of you. How did this become a thing again? No lo puedo creer. ¿Pero sabes que? Me encanta la pulpa.

Allison: You give me the confidence to be myself. Every time I acted a bit unorthodox you remind me to own it. I appreciate that. The food.com dance will live on somehow. 10 years down the line, it will be the next big thing at 230 Euclid.

Sarah S: Your drive to get the Walt the Crane story was an epic sight. I was so happy once it was published as I learned so much and could feel the work you put into it.

Corey: When I walk into the visuals room not only do you have the best music playing in the house, but you pair it with your amazing personality. Seriously, if I ever need a kick in my step I’ll head over to visuals. Keep on being an incredible photographer and person to be around.

Elizabeth: You and Corey make an amazing duo. Keep on doing what you’re doing, you never fail to wow me. I hope to see you as photo editor someday.

KJ: You are the hype-man I will always ask for. Thank you for working with digital to create two epic splash pages. Your drive and willingness to go above and beyond is inspirational. I know you’re going places.

Aro: You pitched some pretty interesting things this semester during digital meetings. Some made me do a double-take, others made me howl in excitement. The fact that you take risks is an incredible skill. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Sessa: Your vocabulary is a breath of fresh air. I can’t tell you how many times I stayed up just to see how edit board turned out.

Brittany: I loved the time we Facetimed when you were at Whole Foods. That’s on-brand for you. Thank you for always giving fun gossip.

Gabe: Can’t believe we covered election night together. It was my first on-site assignment for the D.O. and having you there as a guiding light was awesome. Have a great time abroad!

Gillian: Your ability to do so much is incredible. Glad we met in NEW205.

Ryley: Learning about your hobbies and secret talent was insane. I’m glad we got you a better chair in digital. Having you there made the team even better.

Mohammed: You’re so calm and collected. I hope to see you create your own IT team and bring the D.O. to the forefront of tech.

Sarah A: Working on Football Guide with you was insane. Those illustrations were spicy.

Mike Dooling: Over the past semester I was able to interact with you a lot more. You care for our organization and it shows. Thank you, Mike.

Katie G: When I heard that you were joining us, I was ecstatic. So glad we were able to bond over tacos at Reneé’s house.

Emily: Thank you for always being a ray of sunshine. I seriously feel like I’ve never seen you down.

Nabeeha: I’m going to miss screaming your name with KJ. It was always so much fun.

Katie M: The iSchool needs more people like you.

Mackenzie: We joined the D.O. as in-house staffers at about the same time. I remember walking home with you and talking about how unsure we were about the people we work with. It turns out we were just fine.

Anna G: You need more than just pepperoncini for a meal, Anna. That moment was hilarious. I’m so glad we got to share it. Rock it in LA.

Anna H: My original partner in crime. Even though we worked separate days, just knowing that you were around was awesome. Getting a call from you this semester was such a highlight. I can’t wait to see you again next semester.

Rori: You are one of my biggest supporters. Every time you remind me of #Where’sFlorida I cry of laughter. Thank you for being there.

Amy: I didn’t know how this semester would go. My biggest fear was us not working out as we jumped into seeing each other every single day. Little did I know how great we’d work as a team. I really do feel like we brought out the best in each other. From a trip to Rochester and getting lost at the Waterloo outlets, to making dances together and saying each other’s names in weird ways… I don’t know how I could’ve done it alone. I’m so glad we became a dynamic duo and cannot wait to see you shine, wherever you go. Although we might not share another 4:00 a.m. trying to finish an online guide or publish a podcast, the memories will always be there. Amy Nakamura, thank you.

A huge thank you to my family for supporting me every single day.

Goodbye 744.

Published on December 5, 2019 at 2:08 am

Contact Kevin: [email protected]