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.
We need more people telling stories about people. I found a place full of them.
The Hatchet is made up of people who believe journalism is, at its core, about paying attention. We believe in telling stories that connect, empower and reflect the GW and Foggy Bottom community back to itself. We try to hold power to account and equip stakeholders with the information they need to drive change. We don’t always get it right, but we show up every day, grounded in the conviction that journalism matters because people matter.
The final product is defined by the work this paper’s staff put in long before publication. The editors who push for precision in late-night read-throughs. The reporters who reach out to hundreds of sources to capture diverse perspectives. The photographers who document what words cannot. This work, when done well, reflects care, judgment and persistence across every stage of production. It is a collective effort built on trust, collaboration and a shared belief that getting it right is worth the time it takes.
I joined The Hatchet because writing was the closest I ever got to making sense of the world or myself. From the time I was 14, the obsessive practice of writing everything down held when everything else was slipping. I was drawn to this place because observing and writing had become how I processed what I saw. I am leaving with a deeper belief in the power and responsibility of this work, not as a place to give shape to my impulses, but as a practice grounded in service to the people it exists for.
My belief in journalism has been formed by the paper’s staff, past and present, who taught me that the work is hard because anything worth doing asks much in return. They taught me a great deal about bearing that responsibility. A great deal about how to live, too.
Writing has saved my life. Reading what others have written has done the same. So has my belief that journalism has the power to keep us from drifting further from one another. The Hatchet gave me that last one.
I’ve gotten out of this place everything I’ve put into it. I’ll hold this paper and the stories we’ve told with me forever. This work belongs to the community it serves.
To the people who taught me what this takes, and why it matters:
Hannah Marr: We did the damn thing. Everything we built this year is a reflection of the force that you are. In every moment I felt like I was losing myself, you reminded me why we’re here. You never let me go through any of this alone, professionally or personally. You took care of me, and I’m forever grateful for the sacrifices you made to do so. You took on far more than either of us anticipated and never once made a thing of it, stepping up day in and day out to protect the quality of the paper and keep me from carrying too much. Beyond everything you’ve done for me as a friend, you’re one of the most dedicated, capable and intentional people I’ve ever met. You’re grounded in a deep understanding of the responsibility and power our work carries, and it shows in everything you do. Though we’ve spent the year editing, talking through pieces reminds me you’re one hell of a reporter. Your commitment to learning every part of the University, building source relationships and chasing scoops strengthened our credibility as a newsroom and kept my passion for reporting alive. Working in sync through every edition, editorial decision and administrative fire this year, I rarely stopped to appreciate what a gift it is to have a partner you trust completely and laugh through everything with. I will cherish every moment, the good and the bad, forever. If I could report with you for the rest of my life, I would. I know we’ll be chasing stories together again one day. Until then, I’ll be reading everything you write.
Arwen Clemans: What I love most about The Hatchet is working with people who share my belief in the power and potential of our work. People who understand that every detail on the page is that serious. You embodied that from day one. You understood the weight of what we do, and your talent, advocacy and work ethic pushed this paper to grow. I look back on the times we fought with fondness because it’s proof I was working with someone who cares just as much about this stuff as I do. You instilled in me an understanding of how integral visuals are to doing this work well, and I’ll carry that with me into everything I do. You’ve sat with me through my toughest moments, sparked so many of our laughing fits and always saw me as a person first. You are a dear friend, and I’ll remember our sports outings, debriefs and CVS runs forever. The world is in desperate need of more people telling stories about people, and I know everything you do will be in service of that mission.
Grace Chinowsky: You set a standard I didn’t fully grasp until I was doing the work without you. I’m leaving this place grateful for a lot, but high on that list is having met you. So much of what I know about journalism and leadership, I learned from you. Watching the unwavering precision and care you brought to every editorial decision taught me a discipline I’ve leaned on in the toughest moments. Your decisiveness and instinct for what works shaped me into a more deliberate editor. You pushed me harder than anyone else in all the ways I needed, made me a better writer and showed me how rewarding this work is when it’s done well. Leading this volume has been one of the most formative experiences of my life, and I wouldn’t have gotten here or carried it through in a way I’m proud of if it weren’t for you. I’ve spent the last year trying to be even half the editor you were for this paper. Thank you for all the time and energy you invested in me. You’ve given me so much and been in my corner through it all. I’ve really missed you this year. You were my standard. Still are.
Jenna Lee: I’m really proud of you. The SNE role has a way of wearing people down, but you brought a steady presence the newsroom needed and kept things moving through everything this year threw at us. EIC is going to ask a lot of you. It’s one of those roles that’s as heavy as it is rewarding. So let it feel big. Let it be scary. That means you’re holding the weight of the work and understanding why it matters. Lean on your people. Let them show up for you the way you’ve shown up for them. And don’t forget to appreciate Sundays in the office. There’s nothing more beautiful than pouring your heart into this work surrounded by people you love, and people you know care just as much about getting it right. I’ll cherish those moments with Hannah forever and wish I’d paused more often to just take it in. You’ve got this. I’m a text away and always rooting for you.
Tyler Iglesias: Academics did its thing again. A large part of why I feel settled leaving this place is because I know my passion for all the institutional lore will live on in full. There’s really nothing better, and as you’re painfully aware, I’m very jealous of everything Vol. 123 will get to cover without me. Your dedication and kindness shine through in everything you do. It’s been a pleasure to work with you, and I know you’ll keep showing up for this paper and its people. Remember to take care of yourself too. Running this thing is a beast, but it’s such an immense privilege. (P.S. Do me a solid and pass along PDFs of the documents I can’t access, help feed my obsession).
Rory Quealy: A belief that this work equips our community with the information and perspectives it needs to drive meaningful change is at the core of why I’ve stuck with this work. Your reporting has been an embodiment of that, and I’m forever grateful to have worked alongside you. GWPD was easily one of the coolest things I’ve been a part of, and watching you take that on was inspiring. Your commitment to doing right by your sources and uncovering the stories that matter to our stakeholders reminded me why we do what we do. I missed having you in the townhouse this semester. I’m grateful The Hatchet brought me a friend whose work and empathy I deeply admire.
Fiona Bork: You remind me that journalism is, at its core, about people. You approach this work with thoughtfulness and attention, both to what others are experiencing and to the impact our reporting has on the community. I’ve greatly valued hearing your perspective this year, and I know it will continue to shine through in everything you do beyond this place. Some of my best memories from back in my reporting days are with you, and I’m grateful for the role you played in bringing the Vol. 120 news team together when leaning on each other was crucial. Thank you for your friendship and the care you bring to this work.
Ben Spitalny: You’ve poured so much into making this paper a place where people feel welcome, valued and part of something bigger than themselves. When I’ve been bogged down by edits, I took comfort in knowing you were downstairs keeping the energy up. Throughout my time on the paper, you’ve brought this unwavering drive to make it better. The world needs more people with your constant stream of ideas. You’ve led the sports section with so much care and excellence, and I really admire your eye for that reporting. I’m excited to see all that you do next.
Grant Pacernick: It’s no secret how much I adore you. You had a knack for arriving at the townhouse right when I was about to break, and looking up to see you leaning in the doorway consistently turned my night around. You kept me laughing through some of my toughest moments and reminded me who I am outside of all this work. You’re one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met, and it’s a privilege to call you a good friend. I’m so proud of how much you’ve grown as a journalist and editor this year. You choosing to stay for read-through is a testament to how much you care about this paper and everyone on it. Walking home with you was the best way to end a long prodo, and I’ll miss that routine dearly.
Max Gaffin: Modern day Paul Revere. You never fail to make me smile, and turned Sunday morning socials budgeting into the serotonin boost I needed before every staff meeting. Taking America 250 to spend time with you and Hannah may not have been my best academic decision, but laughing in the back with you made my night, just like your anecdotes at ed board. I’m so proud of how much The Hatchet’s socials presence grew this year, and grateful for the energy and care you poured into making that happen. You have a strong pulse on what the student body cares about, and an instinct for meeting them where they are. I’m really glad this paper brought us together. I’ll be reaching out for your thoughts on new movie releases for many years to come.
Ianne Salvosa: You’re the reason this all started for me. I admired you long before I fully understood your reporting, and what began as a passing interest became the core of my college experience because I wanted to be part of the work you were doing. The Hatchet is where I discovered my love for journalism, and I owe a lot of that to your infectious enthusiasm for everything admin and all the time you spent teaching me. I looked up to you then, and I still do. There were many moments this year when I wished you were around to talk things through. Instead, you’re out in the real world doing the business reporting I aspire to. Watching you now carries forward what you set in motion for me.
Faith Wardwell: What’s stayed with me most from watching you edit is how quickly you found the holes I didn’t know were there. More than once this year, buried in a student reax piece, I’ve wished I could send it your way for a quick skim. I’ve really missed you in the moments I’ve had to stop myself mid-reference to something from before most of this staff’s time. You would’ve been laughing with me.
Nick Perkins: You’re one of my favorite people to talk to. I love the way you think about the world, and after we hang up I usually find myself with a longer list of things I want your perspective on. Hearing about what you’re writing reminds me why I fell in love with all this in the first place. Now as a dear friend, I feel lucky to learn from the way you see things and am grateful for all the movie and book recommendations you send my way. I miss when coordinating our schedules was the biggest barrier to getting a drink with you. I hope we’ll be able to turn our phone calls back into walks in the same city soon.
Lizzie Jensen: You’re such a light in my life. You’ve been my biggest supporter through all the ups and downs, and someone I could turn to when I needed a reminder of who I am outside of all this. You pour so much love and energy into the stories and people you care about. I’ve been lucky to experience both through my time on this paper and as your friend. I’m so proud of everything you’ve done these past few years, and I can’t wait to watch you keep doing your thing in Vermont (I’ll be visiting).
Max Porter: Thank you for taking care of Hannah when she had her hands full taking care of me. You’ve pushed pod forward in such a meaningful way. I’m grateful to call you a friend.
Sandra Koretz: Your work ethic is admirable. Business was a major stressor for me heading into the volume, and I found a lot of comfort in knowing you had it under control. One day, while I was dealing with a business issue of my own making, you caught me in a moment where I really felt like I was failing at this whole EIC thing. You reminded me I’m human when I needed it most. The grace and friendship you’ve shown me this year has meant a great deal.
Vol. 123: You get out of this place what you put into it. So much of what I’ve learned about journalism, leadership and what it means to contribute meaningfully to society has come from past editors who invested deeply in me. It is an immense privilege to learn from them and to be part of work that informs and uplifts our community. Go all in. You’ll be glad you did.
Gianna Jakubowski and Ryan Saenz: SNE was the toughest role I held on this paper. It’s also where I grew the most. Don’t shy away from the discomfort, the weight of knowing you’re directing coverage with real impact. You’ll make mistakes, I made plenty. Sit with them, learn from them, let them stay with you, because those are the moments that shape you as an editor and journalist. It’s been a pleasure to edit you both this year. You’ve worked tirelessly to craft stories with real impact in our community. You stepped up for this paper when we needed it, and I know you’ll continue to do so for Vol. 123. Lean into the work, and keep each other close through it.
Molly St. Clair: You carry a steady resolve. It will serve you well next year. I loved working with you in Vol. 121 — your writing was clean, and you took everything in stride. I missed your presence in the townhouse this year and have the utmost confidence in your ability to take on ME. Hannah has been my rock this year, and I know you’ll be the same for Jenna and Tyler.
Mollie Weiner: You bring such warmth into every room you enter. I’ve really missed having you around this semester, and I know next year’s staff will be better for the care you bring to this place and its people. PNG gate was not my finest moment, but once the embarrassment wore off, it turned into one of my favorite late-night memories.
Sachini Adikari: At its best, our work empowers and amplifies the issues shaping the daily lives of tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff. At a time when the country is grappling with widening social and political divides, documenting fear, hope and uncertainty is crucial. The effectiveness of our work depends on the community speaking to us and trusting what we publish. You’ve always approached your reporting with empathy and a real awareness of the weight it carries. Use the CRD position to advance that mission so we can continue telling the stories that matter.
Vol. 122
Dylan Ebs and Arjun Srinivas: I hold Academics very close to my heart. Thank you both for doing the same. In this beat, you have the privilege of talking to people about why they show up day after day and invest their time and energy into this university. It’s through those conversations that I realized I want to spend the rest of my life talking to people about what makes them tick. You’ve both built on so much of the coverage I did two years ago, and I’m grateful to have followed every update. Take my word for it, the schools, departments and faculty you’ve covered will stick with you.
Elijah Edwards: You showed up when we needed you, and poured your energy into a beat you hadn’t initially planned on covering. Thank you for the time and care you put into the SGA guide. It meant a lot to end the volume with such strong work. You’re a gifted writer, and I know I’ll be reading your work for many years to come.
Bryson Kloesel and Natalie Note: Metro is a beast, and you both took it on with enthusiasm and an awareness of its power. There are so many directions to take this coverage in, and it’s been a joy to see where you’ve each brought it. Bryson, your coverage has taught me so much about issues impacting Foggy Bottom that I never would’ve thought about (reversible lanes included). Natalie, thank you for stepping up mid-year and advancing coverage on issues the community has followed closely over the last few years.
Abby Keenley, Anusha Trivedi and Livi Tuber: I came in knowing next to nothing about how design worked beyond liking or disliking the way something looked on the page. I’m leaving with a deep appreciation for it and that’s all thanks to the effort you poured into this paper. You pushed us to make the best product possible week after week, and did so with patience and genuine optimism. Thank you for putting up with my technological incompetence. Abby, you’ve been such a strong advocate for the section and someone I always look forward to seeing. Anusha, your kindness lights up the basement, and I’ve enjoyed hearing your film takes. Livi, you’ve kept me laughing at all hours of the night, and I have the utmost confidence in your ability to keep advancing the section’s work. Thank you all for teaching me about your craft. I’ll carry it with me far beyond this place.
Andrea Mendoza-Melchor: Your empathy, thoughtfulness and strength shine through in everything you write, the conversations you have and the way you treat everyone on this paper. Getting to work closely with you is something I will always cherish. Thank you for embracing the vision Hannah and I had for the section this year. Our staff editorials are one of the things I’m most proud of, and I appreciate the care you took to shape and strengthen them. Your commitment to this paper is unwavering, and I’ll be reading everything the section produces in Vol. 123.
Ava Hurwitz: You stepped up and took on more than you initially intended with grace and enthusiasm. You’ve grown so much as a writer and editor this year. It’s been a privilege to watch you develop a strong sense for the kinds of pieces we look for at The Hatchet.
Diana Anos: I hope you know how much I admire your eye for what moves people. It reflects your strength as a journalist as much as your character. I loved seeing your passion shape our Washington National Opera coverage, and the snowstorms piece is one of my favorites from the volume. I’m excited to see where you take the coverage in Vol. 123. Dig into some good archives for me and send them my way, you know I’m always down to talk about this storied university.
Carly Cavanaugh: You’re such a strong writer, and your creativity comes through in everything you pour your heart into. You breathe life into The Hatchet’s coverage, and I’ve missed reading your work this semester. Thank you for showing me kindness and grace when I needed it most.
Jessica Rowe: You jumped into this position mid-year and brought real enthusiasm and a clear hunger to improve. It’s been a privilege to watch you grow, and I’m looking forward to reading your work next volume.
Anna Fattizzo: Throughout your time on The Hatchet, you were grounded in a deep appreciation for the way we function as an institution. You understood why things run the way they do, and pushed the facts and copy team to uphold the standards we rely on for sound journalism.
Ethan Tsai: You stepped up as a leader and played an integral role in this volume. The way you approach everything you do reminds me of the Hatchet alums I look up to, and it gives me real confidence knowing that same care for facts and copy will carry forward next year. Your comments in ed board this semester shaped our theses on multiple occasions, and I’ve really valued the perspective you bring.
Kyra Wood and Mathylda Dulian: You both instilled in me a deeper appreciation for the role strong photos play in this coverage. Heading into SGA guide, I was stressed about how we’d top last year’s. You both rose to the occasion and produced some of my favorite portraits I’ve seen in my time on The Hatchet. Kyra, thank you for your thoughtfulness and reliability throughout this volume. Mathylda, I’m so excited to watch you take on senior photo editor. Working closely with Arwen forever changed how I approach this work, and I have no doubt you’ll do the same for Jenna.
Cooper Tyksinski: Taking on the paper route project meant a great deal to me, both because we really needed it (yikes), and because the week you pitched it, I needed the reminder that I’m surrounded by people who see the value of our work and want to push it forward. Your talent and passion have come through clearly in the way you’ve approached culture this year. It’s been a real privilege to work with you.
Lexi Critchett: Throughout my time on this paper, you’ve remained a friendly face. You have so much talent and juggle everything you’re doing outside this place without letting it impact the work here. Thank you for your incredible collages. I know I’ll be admiring your photos for many years to come.
Ryan Jainchill and Syd Heise: You both have such a strong understanding of what you cover. I didn’t have to worry about sports much at all this year, because I knew you both had it under control. It’s a real privilege to work with people with your level of insight and passion for the work.
Renee Purcait: You’re one of the most hardworking and committed people I’ve had the privilege knowing, and I deeply admired the ownership you took over projects that brought our content to so many more people. You were someone I always enjoyed talking to, and I knew I could count on you to match my level of excitement about the coverage we platformed.
Ananya Gondesi, Marcel Richardson Villenas and Misha Cohen: At its best, video journalism both reports what happened and shows how it felt to be there. It has the power to bring audiences closer to a story in a way text alone sometimes can’t. You’ve all stepped up to advance The Hatchet’s contribution to this form of storytelling. I’m grateful to have worked with and learned from you all.
Adelaide Petras: You’re grounded in a real appreciation for what it means to make this work as professional as possible. It’s served you well during your time in copy, and will set you up for success on the news team. Student life is a crucial part of our documentation, and I have complete faith in your ability to tell these stories thoughtfully and do right by your sources.
Anna Mennuti, Annaliese Persaud, Marlene Orantes, Louisa Hannoucene and Kya Hoffman: It’s been an immense privilege to work for a paper with a robust copy and fact-checking team. Accuracy and consistency form the backbone of good journalism. Thank you for the care you took in making our work as solid as possible for our community. You’ve all safeguarded our credibility on so many occasions, and I’m deeply grateful for it.
An Ngo: So much of our coverage has been strengthened by your work. Thank you for showing up for this place and seeking out ways to make our coverage more accessible through visuals. I’ve always admired your intelligence and calm presence, and I know you’ll go far.
Andrew Rooney and Anaya Bhatt: I’m so proud of how much our socials presence has grown this volume, and it’s all a testament to your dedication. Thank you for sharing my excitement for our coverage and pushing us to reach a larger audience. Andrew, your creativity is such an asset, and I’m excited to see where you take the paper’s social media next year.
Alex Batzar: The energy you brought to the business section moved us forward and left us in a financial position I’m very proud of. Thank you for showing up. I know you’ll do the same for Vol. 123.
Annika Krause: You’ve kept our website running smoothly, an essential part of platforming our work and keeping revenue up. Thank you for being someone I could rely on for this.
Ryan J. Karlin: Thank you for taking the time to check in on me whenever I see you. I know you’ll do great things for this paper over in the business section.
Past staff
Rachel Moon: You’ll always be someone I care about. Hearing you talk about all the things that move you pulled me into a wider world. When I was bogged down by SNE, you reminded me who I was outside the role. You’re a good person, and I know the spaces you move through will be better for the attention you show to the people and things that matter to you. You were my partner through so much of my time here, and I’m grateful to have met you.
Jennifer Igbonoba: One of my favorite Vol. 120 memories is our GSPM odyssey. When I’ve needed a reminder not to half-ass a sourcing push, I’ve thought of you. You showed me how good the work becomes when you pour your full self into it. From the first time I met you, it was clear your work ethic is grounded in a deep belief in journalism’s power to give people a voice. You never shied away from the hard stories, and I learned a great deal from watching you do it.
Nikki Ghaemi: Without trust from the people at its center, journalism loses the very thing that gives it meaning. You worked in service of that mission in everything you did, and everything we produced in Vol. 121 was better for it.
Cristina Stassis: I’ve missed your presence in the townhouse so much this year. Thank you for making me laugh when I needed it most.
Zach Blackburn: I admired your editorial eye long before I fully grasped the impact your rewrites had on this paper’s capacity to serve the community. Thank you for putting up with my texts about issues no one would want to be dealing with two years post-grad. An appreciation for “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” says a lot about a person’s sensibility.
Nick Pasion: You showed me what this work, done right, can do for the people it serves. That belief has stuck with me. Many times I’ve found myself thinking a piece of watchdog journalism would be exactly the kind of thing you’d appreciate. You brought such infectious energy to the work, and watching you throw yourself into it made me want to do the same. You care deeply about this paper, the communities it serves and the people who make it run. I’m grateful to have learned from you, and to know you’ve been rooting for me from afar.
Sage Russell: I’ll always remember and appreciate the calm you brought to the townhouse. You looked out for everyone during long prodos, and pushed me to think more critically about the power photos have to elevate words.
Josh Hong: I’m sad I only had the privilege of working with you for a semester. Your work made our coverage more accessible and compelling to a wider audience, and I learned a lot from watching how you tackled it.
Brooke Forgette: I remember editing your piece on the resolution agreement GW reached with the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights back in January 2025 and being impressed by the breadth of knowledge you brought to the context. You threw yourself into student life and our coverage from that time is better for it. Thank you for always treating me like a person first.
Ella Mitchell: I always appreciated your passion for covering The Aston and the work you did for Street Sense. You’re grounded in an understanding of journalism’s potential to uplift community voices, and I know you’ll do great things in pursuit of that mission.
Caitlin Kitson: The passion and warmth you brought to Academics helped me fall in love with this place, and everything you covered in culture solidified you as one of the coolest people I had the privilege of learning from. Your kindness and craft came through in everything you did here.
Eóighan Noonan: Your energy was infectious. Thank you for stopping by the townhouse earlier this year — I really needed a reminder that day of the kind of people who brought me here in the first place. I’ve loved seeing everything you’ve been up to since leaving here. Kisses, love ya, mean it.
Daniel Heuer: You made me smile every time you walked into the newsroom. I’m really grateful for the laughter and light you brought to my SNE days.
Cade McAllister: You were a core part of my Vol. 120 experience. You made everything more fun, and I’ve really missed you in the townhouse this year.
Erika Filter: The speed and precision with which you wrote up drafts was admirable. I looked up to you as an editor and appreciate you taking on alumni president.
Nicholas Anastácio: You brought so much love and care to this place. Thank you for looking after us all during the encampment. Your opinions piece meant a great deal to me. The holiday hippo and petal-covered umbrella are burned into my memory.
Nicholas Aguirre Zafiro: In every interaction I had with you, you were genuine and kind. I always enjoyed following your work.
Other people I’m grateful for
Mom and Dad: You taught me resilience and the value of hard work. I’m sorry I’m so bad at calling. I love you both.
Brenden: My person through all of college. Thank you for sticking with me when everything felt like too much.
Grayson, Grace and Jenna: You’ve been in my corner through everything. You remind me who I am outside of all of this. Thank you for always showing up for me. I’m so proud to call you my dear friends. I love you all.
Professor Roberts: Taking your classes changed how I write and think. Thank you for everything.
Abby and Gianna: My biggest supporters from afar. I love you both.
The Hatchet’s Board of Directors: I couldn’t have anticipated the organizational challenges this year would bring. I’m leaving with a deep appreciation for everything they taught me. Thank you for your steady support through it all.
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