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.
Your form Graphics Request Form has a new response.
Every weekend, I would get a notification in my inbox of a new graphic to conjure up for another editor. Yet, every time, I would find myself refreshing my email inbox hoping another one would show up.
It reminds me of the moment I was brought on as the Graphics Editor.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to get started. Even though I had only recently decided to fully pursue data journalism, I was ready to put all my cards on the table.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was to land here.
I walked in at just the right moment. It was perfect timing to step into a role that would become one of the most meaningful, albeit brief, parts of my college career.
When I joined The Hatchet, I found more than just a position. I found a community. One week I was sending emails about joining the team, the next I was being trained to serve as the next interim Graphics Editor.
But what surprised me most wasn’t the work. It was the people I had the privilege of meeting.
At first, I felt like an outsider. Most of The Hatchet sections had already built their own groups, established through years of working beside each other. Being on the graphics team meant working across multiple sections, not being fully rooted in one, and rarely meeting the people you designed graphics for. When graphics was a two-person team, it was fine. But a semester on my own made me realize I had to make a change.
Attending outings and parties became a turning point. During those chaotic, loud nights, I finally connected with people I had only known through bylines and headshots. It was exactly what I needed to feel like I belonged.
As the weeks passed, The Hatchet began to feel more like home. The old, rickety townhouse became a part of my Sunday routine. I got to know the staff, laughed in the basement and took on as many graphics as I could fit on my plate. I said yes to everything: every opportunity, every graphic request, every moment.
The Hatchet awakened a part of me I didn’t know existed. I’ve always been a sports fan. I could name every major sports moment I witnessed with my own two eyes. But it was The Hatchet that made me fall in love with sports in a different way.
Once I realized that I only had one semester left before graduation, I grabbed every sports blog byline I could. I chased every game, every post-game quote, every headline. I didn’t want to leave with regrets. With more time, I think I could have done even more with the sports section.
But that’s the thing. It was never about having a lot of time. I joined late, stepped in fast and sprinted through the rest. It felt like a rat race in the best way. I tried to leave nothing on the table, doing as much as I could with what I had. And somehow, in just a few short months, it became one of the most impactful chapters of my life.
It wasn’t about how long I was there. It was about what I did while I was. I wouldn’t trade those frantic, fulfilling, funny moments for anything.
Every day for the past eight months, I watched unfamiliar faces turn into memories. I couldn’t have done it without all of you. To my friends, colleagues and peers — thank you. I’m so grateful I got to share a time with you.
A few thank you’s to the ones that made my time so great:
An Ngo: It’s only fitting I start off my shoutouts with you. From bringing me into The Hatchet, teaching me the ins-and-outs of Adobe Illustrator and Datawrapper, you really make it hard for me to attribute any of my skills to anyone else. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor in The Hatchet, and I can only hope that I had held down the fort good enough to make up for your absence this semester. I see such a bright future in the drive you have to make every graphic pop, and I hold no doubt that I will be seeing your work well into the future. I’ll see you in New York this summer and definitely beyond that too. Thanks for everything.
Nick Aguirre Zafiro: It’s kind of funny to say that most of my memories I have made with you came way before I even thought about The Hatchet. I am so glad I had you by my side since the very beginning — whether that was messing around freshman year, studying for general psychology, hitting gym sessions or shooting some hoops together. It has been such a fun ride through college together and I look forward to seeing where you go in the future. Stop by in New York!
Shea Carlberg: You have been a lifesaver. Having you on speed dial to make sure I don’t have to wait hours for copy edits on my graphics on Sunday nights has been nothing short of a miracle. I am so happy we both happened to take the same sports byline (even though neither of us are sports writers) and have managed to continue to grow in our friendship. Stay happy and thanks for saving my sleep schedule :). Stay in touch!
Ethan Valliath: Cool as a cucumber. You are to outfits what game 6 is to Klay Thompson (please tell me you get that reference). It has been awesome to get to know you, and you have already climbed into my Mount Rushmore of Hatchet friends. I remember when we bonded over how distant we both felt from everyone in The Hatchet due to being on socials and graphics, and I can’t help but think how fortunate I am to be able to have met you. You are THE definition of a creative, all the stuff you do is so dope. Stay in touch and in network. I’m holding you to it.
Sage Russell: In a tumultuous sea of Hatchet folks, you are the iceberg. I am not sure if I have ever met anyone that has an ounce of the amount of resolve and pure calm you have. The short time we had getting to know each other has been a highlight of my time at The Hatchet, and I hope you can say the same (we should definitely do more hangouts). You have some real talent with the camera and I’m sure I’ll be seeing your work everywhere soon. Be sure to stay in touch!
Grace & Ianne & Faith: I can’t lie, I was a little intimidated by you three when I first got onboarded. Living up to what An did to graphics looked insurmountable, but I am so glad that I was able to do a decent job. The work you guys put into the paper from what I’ve seen is insane, and I will never lose my respect for you guys for that.
Cristina Stassis: I lowkey owe you for most of my friends I’ve made at The Hatchet. The outings and the parties were a big part of me becoming more familiar with being in the big family. Thanks for making my experience that much better!
Jennifer Igbonoba: My first ever article I wrote for The Hatchet was a student life piece. I am so happy it was you that ended up being my editor, as I feel like I just did not know how to write anything at all at the time. You are so down-to-earth and one of the most grounded people that I’ve met here.
Hannah Marr: I respect you so much. The work you did with the MFA is nothing short of incredible. The motivation I see you have diving into the paperwork and records just to find something that most students here wouldn’t even think about just makes me respect you even more. I hope you continue to hone that drive into other impactful stories, and I will definitely keep an eye out for your bylines.
Fiona Riley: The next volume is in good hands. From our few interactions throughout this volume, I can already tell that you know what needs to be done with The Hatchet for the future. Stay real, you got this.
Nikki Ghaemi: Is it possible to embody sunshine the way you do? Since meeting you and watching Harry Potter together with Nick, I was impressed with the way you managed to have a witty comment or funny joke off the top of your head at all times. I’m positive that with that energy you will get to wherever you want to be, and I for one (right behind Nick) will be ready to see that happen.
Anna & Lindsay: Same as Shea, you guys saved my life every Sunday with the quick and simple copy edits you guys do. The way you guys come in and edit literally every single piece that goes out (including this one lol) makes me realize how much you guys have on your shoulders. Even then, I can’t say I have seen a single mistake from one of you. Stay perfect, copy.
Ben & Sandra: Making a section feel home-y is a big testament to the way you guys hold together sports. The sports section may be the only section where I felt like I really could just chill with the people in it, and showing up to the weekly meetings really cemented that for me. You guys are awesome, and I know that sports are going to stay in good hands next year.
Ryan Jainchill: You are a cool dude, dude. I already know you are going to get far with your attitude and style. I appreciate you for all the sports blogs I wrote and the advice you gave me on them. I got to say though, the Celtics are not bringing home another ring. 
Nick Perkins: You embody culture. You are culture. Even with the minimal interactions we have had, those thoughts were always the first thing in my mind every time. You seem like such a joy to be around, and I was able to feel it even from being in the same room as you. Continue being you!
To the rest of The Hatchet, both past, present and future: Thank you for the short but sweet time I had with you all. I didn’t know it when I joined, but being a part of the Hatchet family has been an amazing time.
To the future graphics sections: Keep going! Data journalism and graphic reporters are such a rare breed. The work we do is so important, don’t ever lose sight of that.
To Prof Lajoie: Thank you so much for the amazing class. Those few weeks unlocked a spark in me that will last a lifetime. I hope to put the skills you have taught me to good use. Thank you.
To mom, dad, sis, Christine, and the rest of my family and friends: Thank you for supporting my very inconsistent pursuits throughout college. From going from pre-law to undecided to finally landing on data journalism, you guys have been with me every step of the way. Everything I do is for you guys.
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