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.
If there was one thing I could count on during my time at GW, it would be The Hatchet. The people and the work were such a constant these past four years to the point where I don’t know what I’m going to do without it, especially on Sundays.
No matter what was going on in my life, without fail, I would show up to Sunday production alongside my fellow staff members to that 21st Street townhouse and stay until we made a paper. A rough week or even a breakup the day before prodo wouldn’t get in the way — none of that mattered.
The Hatchet shaped me into the reporter, leader and person I am today. I am a direct reflection of past staff members who taught and pushed me to be the best I could be.
Everything leads back to the people.
Time and time again, when I’ve felt low, there has always been a Hatchet staff member to help pick me back up. They have all seen me at my worst and at my best in that moldy basement and weirdly green editor-in-chief office.
Watching all of staff constantly sacrifice so much for this paper showed me its importance and reminded me of how I am a part of something bigger than myself. Everything I know about journalism, I learned from The Hatchet.
Even long after I’m gone, I will always carry everything I learned inside those walls with me wherever I go. Whether it’s about reporting, editing or just how to pull an efficient all-nighter, The Hatchet has left a permanent mark on me.
My favorite place on campus is The Hatchet townhouse, and within that, my safe space was the back corner of the basement: the copy chief desk.
Every single week, I spent countless hours at that desk, assigning stories for facts and copy, editing and sometimes arguing. Defending past style decisions or championing new ones is not something I would have thought to make up a majority of my college years. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Explaining my passion for this type of tedious work to people outside the journalism world, or even just outside The Hatchet, can be a difficult task. It always ends with them telling me they could never care about something so small. But that’s copy for you.
Copy will challenge you, push you and sometimes make you want to quit. I could not have done it without all those other staff members working diligently beside me in the basement or newsroom.
I believed I would be on the copy team for all my Hatchet tenure, but then came along Volume 121 when I became managing director. Being on management drew me out of my basement bubble. It solidified friendships and constantly reminded me why I will always choose The Hatchet.
The missed plans, sleepless nights and delayed assignments were all worth it. We made a paper every single week that we could be proud of, but beyond that, we made a home in that townhouse.
It’s hard for me to put into words how much I love, appreciate and respect all the former and current staff members as well as the institution itself. The Hatchet will always be my home away from home.
Here’s to the people who made the townhouse a townhome:
Vol. 121:
Grace Chinowsky: You just get it, you get me. I was so excited when you became a senior news editor and joined us in the basement for read-throughs. That’s when we really started to get to know each other, and I figured out early on that we would be fast friends. I could go on and on about how much of an amazing reporter and editor you are, but I’d rather talk about Cell Block Tango and the verbal cues only we find funny. It could’ve been the air in that townhouse, but it also could have just been us, giggling in the basement waiting for the pages to be done. I’m going to miss our delirious joke sessions.
Faith: After working alongside you on The Hatchet and in classes, I have seen what a strong reporter and person you are. Your dedication to the work shines through in everything you do, and just from knowing what your schedule has been like this past year, I’m amazed you were able to devote so much time and energy to the paper. I can’t wait to see what you do next — I know it’s going to be awesome.
Ianne: We really only got to know each other this past year being on management together and spending upward of 12 hours together in one Sunday, but I can’t imagine working without you now. You are so fun to be around, and I’ve loved giving each other life updates sitting side by side in those EIC office chairs.
Nikki: This past year you have been such a great shoulder to lean on. You are always so supportive of everyone, personally and professionally. I honestly don’t believe I could’ve done it all without you by my side on management. Your ability to navigate difficult situations with such grace is unmatched, and I learned so much from you. I’m so glad we got to work so closely together.
Anna: It’s no secret that the copy section has felt like a baby to me. Moving on has not been easy as I’m sure you could have guessed from me randomly taking copy edits here and there on Sundays. That being said, with you as the incoming copy chief, I feel like I don’t have to worry. After constantly having copy top of mind for me, this is a nice change of pace. I’m so happy you’ll be sitting at that desk. I know you are going to be a great leader.
Brooke and Dylan: Sharing the back corner of the basement with you both when you were fact-checkers will always be a special time for me. I feel we really made it our own and became a great team along with the rest of copy and facts. I’ll miss your funny commentary and remarkable catches.
Fiona R. and Rachel: I watched you both come into your own as SNEs and now incoming management. You both are great editors and leaders, and I know the paper is in safe hands next volume.
Rory: From fact-checker to news editor to managing director, I am so proud of all that you have accomplished on this paper. It feels like such a full circle moment to be able to witness your progression on staff. You are such a committed member of this paper, and I know you are going to be a great resource for everyone to turn to.
Shea: We trained as assistant copy editors together. Even though sometimes we’ve had style disagreements, I knew we generally would see eye to eye, especially when those copy chats came around. You’ve pushed me to be a better copy editor and worked alongside me to refine the section. I can’t believe after being in that basement corner together for so many years that it’s finally coming to an end. I’m so excited to see what you do next — just know I’m cheering you on.
Fiona Bork: You’ve always been so dedicated to this paper and all those who contribute to its operations. Keep up the good work as community relations director next volume, and know I’m always here if you need anything.
Carly, Diana and Annaliese: Thank you for all your hard work and thorough fact-checks. I truly believe that a paper is only as good as its fact-checkers, so thanks for keeping us out of trouble. I can’t wait to see all that you do next on staff.
Molly and Anusha: Your cheerful energies light up that townhouse basement, and your creative designs make the pages come to life. Make sure to keep throwing on fun movies, shows or games to keep the spirits high during prodos.
Vol. 120:
Jaden: You’ve taught me so much. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to be as good of a copy editor or chief if it weren’t for your mentorship when I first started on staff. I have always looked up to you and am so happy that you trusted me enough to lead the section once you moved up to management. You’ve always believed in me, and even if we’ve disagreed before on some style decisions, I know you’ve always had my back. I miss having your energy and knowledge in the townhouse, but I’m so glad that our friendship has graduated those four walls, and now we can play grammar games together at Boardroom.
Grace Miller: As an original basement gang member, you’ve seen it all. Even though you didn’t need to be in the townhouse as MD after being on design, you still showed up every week with an amazing attitude that always made the basement more bearable — sometimes even with your delicious baked vegan goods. Thanks for answering all of my frantic texts about room reservations before I got the swing of EMS. Come to D.C. again soon, please — I miss you constantly.
Zach: I wouldn’t trust any other editor to randomly take copy edits on a story. You always actually cared about the section and knew what you were talking about. The liveliness that you brought to the paper was evident in all your edits and quote-board-worthy comments. There are still a lot of your Poland Springs gallon jugs scattered around the townhouse reminding us all of you. I know you’re doing great work, thanks for everything.
Nick: We’ve both said we’d physically fight each other during hot seats before. Even after all the copy disputes we’ve had and you sometimes just ignoring some copy decisions, I never doubted your judgment. You’ve helped me become a better reporter and copy editor just through our late-night discussions. The Hatchet was so lucky to have had such an animated and level-headed editor like you.
Nicholas Anastacio: You are doing such great things, and I’m so proud. Thank you for always being a resource for staff even after graduation. It means a lot to know you’re there for us when we need you.
Izzy and Auden: You two made me laugh so much and really made me feel part of the basement family. I miss your imaginative designs and photo expertise.
Non-Hatchet people:
Naomi, Alex and Mom: All that I’ve accomplished would not have been possible without your ceaseless and relentless support. No matter what story I’ve sent into the family group chat, I’d always get immediate responses. Thank you for always being there and believing in me.
Friends: Even though you may not have understood why I spent so many hours and late nights on the paper all the time, you’ve always cheered me on. For that, I will always be grateful.
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