I’ve seen columnists come and go during my tenure at Dixie Sun News; I’ve been a part of the integration of programs at this publication; I’ve been a writer, photographer, videographer, cartoonist, editor and editor-in-chief; and now, I’m on my way out.
I’ve never been a fan of the “goodbye” column. But now I can’t help but write one considering this will be my last Skewed Review written under the Opinion banner of this paper.
I want to give a special review to the people who work almost around the clock to bring you the news each week. DSN is not a class. It’s a job. And while many of you may think writing an article or two every week is easy, the fact is it’s a lot of work and a lot of stress.
These students and advisers deserve your praise. They work hard not just for grades, but also for your approval, which, I might add, they rarely get. Considering the amount of disdain that comes their way, they should each receive a medal for their hard work in spite of it all.
I know; I’ve written about that before. But I just want to remind you all of that fact as I move on.
I want to thank all the readers who have shown me support over the past four years. Even though the words of kindness were few and far between, they never fell on deaf ears. I also want to thank those of you who took issue with my words or who thought I was somehow attacking you. You have reminded me that, despite those days where I think the world is a good place, there are still people who will disagree with each other — often in the most hateful way they can.
In other words, you keep me grounded. So thank you.
Finally, I want to thank Rhiannon Bent, Dixie State University assistant professor of communication. If you’re a part of the communication department, or if you have taken a few communication classes, then you probably know who I’m talking about. If you’re not, then you’re missing out on knowing a very driven and determined human being.
Bent is the adviser for Dixie Sun News, and I’ve seen her teach great things to a lot of us and also scare a few of us away.
But those of us who faced our fear of her saw what was truly scaring us in the first place: not a person, but the idea of a person who won’t take failure for an answer.
In spite of my shenanigans, she’s still managed to find the patience to not only put up with me, but also teach me. I’m the first to admit I can be scatter-brained and distracted, and it takes a strong person to continue putting up with a person like me.
So although there have been times when I’ve let her down, she has given me the strength to continue on as a journalist. It was because of her that I landed my next gig as a copy editor at The Spectrum, St. George’s most established news source.
So while there have been many things I learned and forgotten at DSU, and many more things I’ve simply chosen not to learn in the first place, I can thank the communication department, DSN and especially Bent for helping me become someone worth hiring.
I will continue writing Skewed Reviews, which you will find at www.TheSkewedReview.com. But this one will be the last appearing in this newspaper.
Again, thanks.
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