Each year, graduating editors are given 30 final column inches — “30” was historically used to signify the end of a story — to reflect on their time at The Hatchet, published in the final issues of the year.
Thinking about all the late-night editing, Adobe Premiere Pro errors and computer shutdowns and crashes, writing this may be the hardest thing I have done in my years on The Hatchet.
This is not just because I have spent all my time here on a multimedia team and have never taken a written piece before but because it is hard to summarize these past four years in about 2,000 words. But the only thing I can do is try.
[gwh_image id=”1189035″ credit=”Auden Yurman | Senior Photo Editor” align=”right” size=”embedded-img”][/gwh_image]
I joined The Hatchet my freshman year as many SMPA students do, and as an eager new college student, I sent my application to just about every section. Video was the first to get back to me, so it was the one I decided to stick with. Within only a few months, I was promoted to video editor, where I have been this entire time. Other editors have come and gone, videographers have left the section and new ones have joined, but through all these years I have been the one constant for the video team. The little table in the back corner of the townhouse with the broken chair and computer that never seems to be able to stay on while editing a video has been my spot for all these years, and in a weird way, I am going to miss it. I will no longer be physically present there, but I hope to have brought some light to that back section that will be remembered long after I graduate.
I admit, my time on The Hatchet has in fact felt like it lasted forever. I have concluded that the newspaper is in its own universe, and for every year in the real world you spend on staff, about 20 years pass in the townhouse. By these time standards, I would be about 101 years old, which is fitting for someone who is the self-proclaimed Hatchet grandma. As the longest running current staff member, I have seen this paper shift and grow and change throughout the years. Even through all the times I’ve complained, ranted, wanted to quit and, frankly, really played into the “old person” character I have created for myself, I am glad I stuck around and would never trade these years for anything.
In the beginning, I saw The Hatchet as simply a part time job. I showed up on Sundays, talked to the two other video editors, went home, edited my videos and that was it. But as time has gone on, I have found community, acceptance and friendship in this paper. I have found lifelong friends and people that I know who will forever be in my corner. My one hope as I move on is that in the time I have been here, I have created this same feeling of community, acceptance and friendship for other people on staff.
While I have been a constant for The Hatchet, it has also been a constant for me. Every Sunday without fail I was sitting on the couch tucked away in the back corner during staff meeting. Each week I had dedicated time to editing videos. I have said “Sorry I can’t — I have The Hatchet!” too many times to count. Even in a global pandemic when people were sent home and life was filled with so much uncertainty, I still logged onto Zoom every Sunday and continued to produce video content. It was nice, and even though the paper can be unstable and filled with uncertainty at times, it is always there when you need it.
[gwh_image id=”1189034″ credit=”Auden Yurman | Senior Photo Editor” align=”none” size=”embedded-img”][/gwh_image]
Overall, I am proud. This paper does some truly amazing work, and I am lucky to have been a part of it for so long. I covered important protests, an inauguration, a major show premiere, a townhouse séance and much more. This year alone I led the entire video section by myself, continued to put out content consistently and grew the section to be the biggest it has been in years. It is easy to get lost in all that’s bad and hard about The Hatchet, but taking one step back can reveal all the good that is there. And there is a lot of it.
To everyone I have met and those who have supported me along the way:
[gwh_image id=”1189037″ credit=”Auden Yurman | Senior Photo Editor” size=”embedded-img” align=”right” /]
Sarah S.: You are seriously one of my favorite people I have met not only at The Hatchet but at GW. You are so funny, dedicated, kind, fun and so much more. I am so grateful for your friendship and support throughout the years, and I know that I have a friend forever with someone like you. I am so excited to see where you go in life, and I know that wherever you do end up, you are going to absolutely kill it. Not to be sappy, but I’ll miss our little couch in the back.
Lauren: You are one of the most amazing people I have met. You are so driven and passionate about all you do, and I admire it each and every day. It’s all laughs when the two of us are together, and I am grateful for the friendship that we have. Also always grateful for Steve Roberts’ class and those 15 minute breaks where we could dish on what was happening in The Hatchet that week. You’re an icon.
Jarrod: I am always in awe of you and all that you do. Running a section is a hard feat, let alone an entire paper. You are driven, passionate and possess an unwavering ability to be a leader. This is, by far, my favorite year of budgeting, and I always enjoyed spending about 5-10 minutes talking about actual videos and then spending the next 45 minutes gabbing away. I have no doubt that whatever you do and wherever you go, you are going to thrive.
Isha: You are such a light and a Hatchet staple, even after you graduated. Your love for this paper and all that happens with it, even in all the chaos, is so admirable. You are truly amazing, and I am SO excited to keep up with you and all your adventures. Like Lauren, you’re an icon<3
Auden: My photo bestie! You are such a breath of fresh air and one of my favorite people to see each Sunday. Your photo skills are insane, and there is no one else I could imagine leading the section. You’re funny, reliable and extremely talented. So excited for you and whatever comes your way!
Sejal: Podcast queen! You are insanely driven, creative and passionate, and I know that wherever you go in life, you are going to kill it. I have loved having you as my little Hatchet sister this volume, and I am so proud of everything you have accomplished. We have been with each other through a lot, and just know that I always have your back now and anytime in the future. Keep being you and keep being amazing.
Ethan: There is no other word I can use to describe you other than “amazing.” You are such a gift to The Hatchet, and one of the most talented writers I have ever seen. Thank you for bringing some community back into the little corner of the townhouse. All of our conversations have me dying laughing, and I loved having someone to be able to rant to on Sunday afternoons. You are truly amazing. Keep killing it and keep doing your vocal warmups!
Nuria: Along with Ethan, you have added such light and community into the back corner of the townhouse. You are a shining star and one of the best people The Hatchet has. You are insanely driven and put out some incredible work. I have no doubt that whatever you do and wherever you go, you are going to do something amazing.
Abby: My Philly-side of Pennsylvania twin! I actually think that we are the same exact person, and no one can convince me otherwise. You are one of the kindest people I have ever met and I am so happy The Hatchet brought you into my life. Keep being the icon that you are.
Jaden: You are a superstar. I know that you truly love this paper with all your heart, even when things get tough. You are such a wonderful person and have been such a key portion of this paper in every role you have been in. Cheering you on forever and always!
Shea: Prom date! You are such a sweetheart and bring such positive energy to the townhouse. I love everything about you and am so happy to have met you. Keep on shining you superstar! I will be cheering you on every step of the way.
Grace M. & Izzy: My design icons! I am so sad that I only got one semester each with the two of you this year, but you both bring me so much joy. I am always so proud of the two of you and all the work that you do. Keep killing it next volume! You both deserve all the good and happiness in this world.
Erika: I am still forever sad that you were taken from the video team. I knew from the beginning though that your work ethic and drive were far above other people, and I just get prouder and prouder with every story you write. Keep being amazing!
Grace C. & Nikki: You two are both such shining lights. Every time I see either of you, I know that I’m going to be smiling and laughing the whole time. You are both such stars, and I have no doubt that you are going to thrive next volume!
Nick & Zach: Thank you for always doing weekly recaps (even if it took a few text reminders…). You both are extremely dedicated and such Hatchet staples, and I am so excited to see what is in store for you both in Volume 120!
Tara: Grateful for our time both inside and outside The Hatchet. I am so excited to see where you end up, I know you will excel in all you do. Capstone course forever!
Ava, Nick & Charlie: I have no doubt that you guys are going to lead the video section with dignity and grace next volume. Lean on each other when needed, support one another, and most importantly, have fun. You’re inheriting a great section, and I cannot wait to see all the amazing things you all achieve! I’m going to be the first viewer on all your videos 🙂
Thais: Even though you left me all alone, you are still one of the greatest things The Hatchet has ever given me. You are so creative, and no one has ever matched my energy before quite like you do. I love you so much and miss you at every Hatchet thing. You are amazing, and I know that you will thrive in everything you do in life.
Dante & Heidi: Thank you both for all that you taught me! I would not be here today without the two of you. You were both so driven and such amazing leaders to follow in the footsteps of. The video team is what it is today because of you two.
Sarah R.: I don’t think there are enough words to be able to tell you how much of an impact you had on this paper. You were such a fearless leader, and I appreciated you so much when I was promoted to be a video editor and had no idea what I was doing. You are the epitome of grace, and I will forever be grateful for you taking a chance on freshman year me.
Aaron: Thanks for leaving (note the sarcasm). You’re a force of nature and truly saw a lot in your short time at The Hatchet (lol). Keep killing it in all that you do.
My Family: Thank you for your consistent and unwavering support in everything that I do. I could always count on each and every one of you when things got tough, and you have all been my biggest supporters through everything. I love you all so much.
My Friends: Thank you for listening to me rant and complain about The Hatchet and for also giving me a life outside of this paper. I think you know more about what is happening on this newspaper than some members of staff do. Forever will appreciate you all!
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