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.
I found myself sitting in a pew at an Anacostia church on a freezing night this February, notebook in hand, listening.
It was far from a routine reporting experience for me, but I made the trip after a flier advertising a town hall about the state of Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health found its way into my inbox. Inside the church, dozens of Ward 7 and 8 residents, physicians, activists and mayoral candidates gathered to confront the reality of a hospital that had been promised to their community for years.
At the time, Cedar Hill was fast approaching its first anniversary, a year marked by staffing shortages, long wait times, leadership turnover and delayed services that had left community members feeling frustrated and betrayed. Throughout the evening, the town hall’s emcee walked residents through report after report detailing the hospital’s shortcomings, while doctors and healthcare advocates explained what rights and resources community members were entitled to demand.
Mixed between recounting the District’s promises about Cedar Hill, references to reporting from The Washington Post and testimony from residents themselves, some words began to sound familiar. They were mine. They were The Hatchet’s. And they were followed by praise for our paper’s dogged reporting and relentless pursuit of the truth.
That quickly became one of the most impactful moments of the volume for me. It is easy to forget the power our work has when you are sitting in the townhouse on 21st Street at midnight, rewriting the same paragraph for the fifth time and surviving on caffeine and stubbornness. Journalism is a grueling job. The losses are loud, and the wins are often quiet. You learn quickly how to admit when you are wrong but find there is rarely applause waiting for you when you get it right.
Moments like that town hall remind you why the work The Hatchet does matters. GW is a massive institution. Tens of thousands of students study here, thousands more work here and its influence stretches far beyond Foggy Bottom. I’ve learned over the last four years that organizations like these do not change quickly or easily. They are built on layers of bureaucracy and tradition — systems often designed to preserve themselves rather than invite scrutiny.
That’s why institutions like GW need people willing to ask difficult questions, demand transparency and make noise, even when silence is easier.
I have always loved John Lewis’ call to “get in good trouble, necessary trouble,” partly because that spirit is embedded in The Hatchet’s history. It’s there in our archives documenting student protests during the Vietnam War and community pressure for GW to divest from apartheid, and most recently, Israel. It’s there in every uncomfortable interview and every story that somebody hoped would go unwritten. I know that spirit will outlive all of us who pass through this townhouse.
The Hatchet taught me that journalism is not about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about caring enough to keep asking questions when nobody else wants to, finding the people hidden beneath institutions and policies and remembering that every headline belongs to someone living through it.
There is something deeply fulfilling about knowing you are part of something bigger than yourself. Bigger than a byline, bigger than a volume and bigger than the countless nights spent chasing one more story or reworking one more sentence. For 122 years, generations of student journalists have walked through this newsroom believing words mattered. Getting to be part of that history, even briefly, has been the privilege of my college experience.
I still do not think I fully grasp the enormity of this institution or the enormity of the job I spent the last four years trying to do. But I do know The Hatchet changed me. It made me tougher, sharper and more curious, and taught me how to lead with both conviction and care. Most importantly, it taught me that good journalism is an act of a belief that people deserve the truth and that telling it still makes a difference.
To future volumes, there is always another story waiting to be told. Keep digging, and don’t stop, especially when the world tells you to. That’s a sign you need to look harder. And to everyone who’s taken the time to speak with me, thank you. This work means nothing without the people who trusted our paper to tell their story.
To Vol. 122:
Fiona Riley: When I look back at all the things The Hatchet achieved in the last four years, you are one of the only constants. That’s because you were always there, always willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work without hesitation. It’s your consistency, determination and sharp editorial eye that made those successes possible. I’m lucky to say we’ve been aligned on this journey since day one — something that can be rare, but is what I attribute our successes to. We’ve shared a standard we refused to compromise on, a belief in The Hatchet’s role on campus and an understanding that there is no substitute for hard work. Throughout it all, you’ve become more than a friend and co-editor. You’ve become a sister to me. This job can be isolating in ways people don’t always see. It tests your confidence, your patience and your sanity. But in my lowest moments, it was you who kept me going. When I felt ready to call it quits, I’d look at you, steady and unflinching under pressure, to find the resolve to move forward. Working beside you taught me not just about journalism, but about self-respect, trusting your instincts and standing strong in the face of adversity. You’ve changed my life, and I am so, so grateful I got to share this chapter by your side. You’re going to do amazing things in this life, and I can’t wait to cheer you on every step of the way.
Max Porter: You have a sneaky ability to nudge the people around you to become better versions of themselves. Day after day, you’ve pushed me to be the best version of myself, picking me up, brushing me off and pushing me forward when I needed it most. You believed in me when I was exhausted and unsure. You cheered my wins and caught me when I fell, never once disparaging me for the moments I came up short and completely sleep-deprived, though completely deserved on my end. You are the definition of patience and loyalty and I’m so incredibly lucky to have you in my corner. I couldn’t have done it without you.
Arwen Clemans: When I think of you, I think of that moment standing outside of &Pizza in the pouring rain. We’d just returned to campus from the summer, and setback after setback after setback kept coming at us at full speed, including the sky opening from above and pouring down buckets of water on us mid-prodo dinner run. I’ve always loved The Hatchet because it’d brought me my closest friends, but stepping into management was lonely. It’s hard to explain what this job is and how grueling it is to people who haven’t done it. But you got it right away in that moment, and ever since, you’ve given me space to say what I needed and laugh it out. On top of that, you’re a top-notch photojournalist, whose skills and creativity are one-of-a-kind. I’ve watched in awe and respect this year as you’ve poured your being into the photo section, determined to make its work better. That work has certainly paid off. I hope you are as proud as I am.
Rory Quealy: I miss the warmth you brought to the townhouse — it certainly hasn’t been the same since you graduated. You are unmatched in your ability to turn bad moments good, grounded in how deeply you care about this paper and the people who make it every week. Beyond The Hatchet, the compassion and love you exude for your community has made it clear you’re meant to be a journalist. I’ve always admired how committed you are to making the world a better place and to elevating voices and stories that deserve to be heard. The world needs more people like you.
Fiona Bork: One of my first true friends on this paper. So many of my favorite memories from sophomore year have you at the center: townhouse Fridays, our reporter meetings and lingering on the sidewalk long after we should’ve left, just to keep the conversation going. Those moments with you were the ones that made me fall in love with The Hatchet. You’ve always made me feel like I belong on this paper, which is a big reason I chose to stay on the news team my junior year instead of going abroad. Plus, we had our share of shenanigans beyond campus, too, whether that be beaching in Puerto Rico or roaming the streets of New York City. Not many Hatchet friendships can say that, but I’m so incredibly grateful we can. We’ll have to add Chicago to that list.
Ben Spitalny: I know I’m not surprising you, or anyone else on sports, when I say I had zero knowledge about the world of sports before joining management. That was quite obvious from the get-go. Still, you were patient with me and let me bombard you with dumb questions without judgement, ultimately welcoming me to bring what I did know, the world of GW administrators, to your beat. You stepped up to the plate this semester and were an impactful managing director, always curious and always willing to lend a helping hand in whatever storm we were weathering that day. We have been very lucky to have you.
Grant Pacernick: Your growth as a writer this year has been remarkable. From the start, you approached every story and every challenge with a willingness to learn and improve, and that dedication shows in the evolution of your drafts this year. Beyond your work, I’ve been grateful to call you a friend. You’ve always been there when I needed it most, bringing light and laughter to the darkest prodos (I’m a Maria) and a smile to our faces during editorial board meetings (our demands are simple). Thank you for always showing up, whether that be staying voluntarily for read through or dropping off snacks in the EIC office. I’m so glad you gave The Hatchet a shot this year.
Max Gaffin: You’ve taught me so much. I’ll be the first to admit I was a socials skeptic at the start of the volume, but you changed my perspective. You showed me how important it is to share and promote our work, and to make it accessible and digestible for all audiences, so the effort we put in reaches our community. You were clearly right all along, evidenced in how much we’ve grown on our socials platforms this year. You’re wicked smart, and you’ve pushed my understanding of campus happenings during editorial meetings with your fresh, thoughtful perspective. Getting to know you this year has been a highlight, and I wish it had happened sooner.
Jenna Lee: You handled senior news editor with a level of consistency and calm that’s hard to teach and even harder to maintain. Through every prodo crunch and every week that felt like it was asking too much, you stayed present in the work and kept the newsroom moving forward. Editor in chief will stretch you in different ways. It’s a role that asks for more of you than you think you have to give, but I know you can do it. Don’t lose the positivity and excitement you have as you ascend into the position, it will carry you far. And when it gets heavy, which it will, remember that this work and the people it serves are why you started in the first place. I’m so proud of you, and can’t wait to see what you, Tyler and Molly cook up next volume.
Tyler Iglesias: We like the same things: a damn good academics story, Friday afternoons spent in the Elliott Stateroom and a certain someone’s Facebook, of whom I can’t name here, but you know who I’m talking about. Last volume, you were the perfect academics partner to my admin-in-crime. This volume, you were a fierce, sometimes ghost-chasing senior news editor who never let a bad moment grind you down. Even when things got chaotic, you showed up with determination and a sense of humor that made the newsroom better to be in. I know you’ll bring that same relentless spirit and thoughtfulness to managing editor. Keep me posted on those audits.
Molly St. Clair: I’ve always seen a lot of myself in you — an intuition that was clearly correct given how closely our Hatchet trajectories have aligned, from student government editor to management. My time as managing editor taught me how to be tougher, more decisive and more intentional about the work we do and the standards we hold ourselves to, and through that experience, I feel I found my place in this world. I’m so proud of you, and I am so excited to see and hear about where this role takes you. I have every confidence it will challenge you, shape you and teach you just as much as it taught me, and I know you’ll meet all of it with the same care and instinct you’ve already brought to this paper.
Sandra Koretz: You were a powerhouse of a business manager this year, not only helping to keep this sinking financial ship afloat, but also always checking in to make sure I was doing okay and offering grace along the way. I’m very proud of what we did with our business section this year, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Lizzie Jensen: You’ve been a consistently supportive and kind presence on this paper, and you bring an energy that lifts those around you up, no matter the day, no matter the hour. You’re leaving big podcast shoes to fill.
Mollie Weiner: I speak for the entire paper when I say we’ve missed you dearly this spring. You know better than most how tough prodo can be, but you have an unrivaled way of lifting the mood with your infectious spirit. I was so excited to hear you’ll be returning as managing director. I have no doubt you have what it takes to lead with both strength and heart.
Sachini Adikari: I’ve seen how deeply you care about the GW community — I had a front-row seat to that while watching you lead the academics beat. That’s why I know you’re the right person to step into the community relations director role. In that position, the work is about building trust and strengthening connections across campus so people feel heard. Remember to stay grounded in that care, listen closely to the community you’re serving and lead with consistency and intention.
Gianna Jakubowski and Ryan Saenz: Both of you have the passion and drive that is necessary to succeed on this paper. I’ve known that since the first day you walked into my reporter meeting, and I’ve seen it time and time again this volume. Lean into that as you step into senior news editor. Most importantly, be tough. Ask the questions no one else is asking. Set high expectations, scrutinize drafts and push your editors to give you their very best work. You can do it, I’m rooting for you.
Elijah Edwards: I know student government wasn’t where you expected yourself to end up this year, but I’m glad it was. You took this year’s elections guide in a fresh direction, and you’ve churned out some of the cleanest drafts I edited all volume. Thank you for bringing my Granberg-Aggie story vision to life.
Dylan Ebs and Arjun Srinivas: Academics is, in my opinion, an underrated beat. Considering it’s the very heart of what the University is built upon, it requires watchdog reporters and strong, consistent reporting to do it justice. Thank you for your work covering such an important facet of University life, and for ensuring those stories have a consistent place in our paper.
Bryson Kloesel and Natalie Note: Working with your stories each week pushed me to think more critically about what’s happening beyond campus. Your reporting brought attention to issues I wouldn’t have otherwise known about and added important context to our coverage. It helped broaden what The Hatchet pays attention to and the way we understand the community around us.
Andi Mendoza-Melchor: Fiona and I came in strong with a vision for your section this volume, and you believed in us and hopped on immediately, helping us get there. Plus, you took everything, the ups and the downs and the between, with a smile and a laugh. This can be an often thankless job, but your thank yous and acknowledgments of the work Fiona and I have done meant more than you know, so now it’s my turn. Thank you.
Ava Hurwitz: We thrusted you into a position you didn’t sign up for, but you took it with grace and dove in, ready to learn. It’s been a pleasure to watch you grow this year. I’ve loved seeing the passion and understanding you have for GW’s institutional side blossom.
Diana Anos: You’ve embodied culture this volume, from your persistent opera coverage to the creative direction you’ve taken each of the guides. Your passion for the section shows in every story you touch and in the energy you bring to the beat. I know you’ll carry that same drive into Vol. 123 and to management in the spring, and the paper will be better off for it. Keep me posted on your profile of GW’s first lady and a certain printer, I can’t wait to see what you cook up. And of course, long live the quaff!
Carly Cavanaugh: It was always a pleasure to crack into one of your drafts. Your writing is smooth, confident and consistently engaging. And your headline game is just as strong, always clever and always on point. We’ve missed you this semester.
Jessica Rowe: I can only imagine how overwhelming it is to join as a beat editor your first year, but you handled it like a champ and were unfailingly kind every step of the way. I’m excited to see you keep growing next volume.
Syd Heise: Your columns were always some of my favorites to edit because of how your voice and wit shone through in every sentence of every piece. The sports team won’t be the same without you.
Ryan Jainchill: You have a real gift for bringing the games you cover to life — I’m transported to those games with you when I read your writing. Keep using that skill. I am excited to see where it takes you next.
Mathylda Dulian and Kyra Wood: News photo is no easy feat, but you’ve managed it with creativity and ingenuity. Plus, you produced a standout Student Government Association guide this year, exceeding all of my expectations. Mathylda, as you take on senior photo editor, I hope you continue to push yourself to be thoughtful, communicative and accountable in your leadership. I’m confident the section will benefit from your guidance.
Lexi Critchett: You’ve consistently impressed me this year. Thank you for always being willing to cook up a killer collage in a pinch — your skills are unmatched. You have a bright future ahead, and I can’t wait to see all that you do.
Cooper Tyksinski: You always had a great sense of humor, no matter what challenge the paper threw your way. Thank you for locking in like never before during Best of Northwest and for providing a much needed revamp for our paper delivery system. Tell your roommate that black-tie board meeting is still waiting for him.
Anusha Trivedi and Abby Keenley: It’s never gone unnoticed to me how steady and important of a presence you each are on this paper. Every time I walk down those steps with bad news, you meet me with calm and composure, and handle it like the seasoned veterans you are. I’ve always appreciated how you don’t get stuck on why we had to make such a call. Instead, your focus is on how we’ll pivot. I’m so grateful I got to work beside you this year. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Livi Tuber: If there’s anything I’ve learned this year it’s that these roles aren’t meant to be easy. They’re meant to push you hard, and teach you how to be better. There’s no such thing as a perfect, or easy prodo, and you know that. But you have never once let that dull your sparkle and your perseverance for getting it right, even when we thought we’d lost the entire print at 4 a.m. I’m excited to see where you take design next volume.
An Ngo: Any story that’s been touched by one of your graphics is better off for it. Your attention to detail is exceptional, and you’ve consistently caught things the rest of us have missed, especially in our financial reporting. I’m glad I don’t have to know The Hatchet without you on it.
Renee Purcait: It’s hard to believe we hired you in September because it feels like you’ve always been part of the team. I hope I made it clear how much I admire your dedication and ambition for not only socials, but the paper at large. You elevated our social media presence and were patient with me as I got on board with your vision for the section. The Hatchet hasn’t been the same without you.
Andrew Rooney: You have always been willing to dive into whatever project and video we throw you in, including joining staff on a whim. I’m glad you’re sticking around and look forward to seeing you dive further into socials.
Anna Fattizzo: If only someone had told the two bright-eyed, bushy-tailed reporters sitting in Faith, Nikki and Erika’s reporter meeting that we would have made it where we did. You’re an ever-calming presence, and you were always there for the paper, even if that meant FaceTiming in at 6 a.m. for read through. We’ve missed you this semester.
Adelaide Petras: Thank you for rising to the copy occasion this semester. Facts and copy produces some of The Hatchet’s best news editors because they build a deep understanding of how the paper works from the ground up, and you’ve done exactly that with thoughtfulness and consistency this volume. I have no doubt you’ll carry that legacy forward, and I can’t wait to see where you take student life next volume.
Ethan Tsai: I left the first editorial board meeting you were a part of kicking myself that we hadn’t brought you on earlier. You pushed the questions we asked and the conclusions we came to, bringing a fresh, nuanced outlook. It’s been a pleasure to see you come out of your shell this volume, and I’m excited to see where you take copy and facts this fall.
Marlene Orantes, Louisa Hannoucene, Kya Hoffman, Anna Mennutti and Annaliese Persaud: Facts and copy are often overlooked, but their importance is immense. Thank you for all the care and precision you brought to the work, late nights and all.
Marcel Richardson Villenas: You set my expectations high when you turned in your ping-pong profile at the beginning of the volume. And you met that bar consistently with every video you were a part of, whether that be your final balance piece, socials videos or your speedy GW-Georgetown game turnaround. I was ecstatic to hear you are returning next volume. Video is in good hands.
Ananya Gondesi and Misha Cohen: It’s clear how much thought and effort goes into your work. Thank you for strengthening The Hatchet’s storytelling and for everything you contributed this volume.
Alex Batzar: Thanks to your help, we’ve been the most profitable volume in years. That is a massive feat, and something I’m very proud of. Vol. 123 is lucky to have you on their team.
Annika Krause: Without you I’d be lost. Web has never been my strongest suit, but you were always there and always willing to lend a hand. Thank you.
To past staff:
Grace Chinowsky: You taught me the little things: not to use passive voice, what a good lede looks like and how to ask the right questions. But most importantly, you taught me to fight for my stories and for what I believe is right. Having a steadfast, fiercely principled editor during these formative years made me the journalist, and person I am today. I’ve missed, badly, the tenacity that you brought to this paper since you graduated, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished you were here this year to pick your brain on a story. You’re an insanely talented writer and reporter, and I’m grateful to have spent two years learning under you.
Ianne Salvosa: It’s you I have to thank for getting me here today. I admired the hell out of you when you were admin and I was student government editor because you were on the frontlines doing real, impactful journalism that was making GW a better place. I clung to the admin beat heading into Vol. 121 because I wanted the chance to make half of the difference in our community that you’d made. I never pictured myself as managing editor, but seeing you embody the position proved to me that I too, could do it. I’m very glad our paths crossed.
Faith Wardwell: You wrote to me that you still remember sitting in the University Student Center working on our Venezuelan Perspectives story, my first Hatchet byline. I still remember that too, but for a different reason. I remember being widely impressed by how skilled you were as a writer, how you could take something messy and sprawling and turn it into a story that was focused, thoughtful and complete. That impression rang true last year, too. Any story that had your oversight was better off for it.
Erika Filter: Stepping into student government three years ago felt like the weight of the world. A lot of that came from knowing I was assuming a role that you had shaped so fully and left with enormous shoes to fill. Watching the way you chased stories — first as student government editor, then on metro — set the standard I kept trying to meet. It’s been a joy to see you still chasing leads this year, and I can’t wait to watch you take on alumni association president (thank you).
Rachel Moon: We’ve come so far together. I still remember sitting in the basement after Hatchet prom at the end of our first year, laughing about the night before. I can’t believe that was already three years ago. It feels like both yesterday and a lifetime ago that we were just figuring everything out together in those early days. Over that time, you’ve been a steady and important part of The Hatchet, and I’m grateful for the moments we shared in the newsroom and beyond. I’ve learned from you along the way, and I’ll always appreciate the role you played in my experience here.
Jennifer Igbonoba: You were the glue that held the sophomores on the Vol. 120 news team together. You saw each of us as more than co-editors. You saw us as people and as friends, which made all the difference as we were jolted into an especially tough year to be on news. Your love for the paper, and your belief in its power and purpose on campus, shaped the way I’ve understood the work we do. You challenged us to be honest and humble about both the good and the bad our paper has done, and in doing so, you made us better.
Brooke Forgette: You never backed down from a challenge, whether on facts or student life. You brought empathy and humor to everything you did, and that balance came through in your reporting and the way you approached the work.
Cade McAllister: I’ll always cherish our reporting adventures in the fall semester of sophomore year. It took us to protest after protest and landed us on the phone with a pretty cool news organization. I’m lucky to have done it by your side.
Zach Blackburn and Nick Pasion: Standing in these shoes now, I’m amazed at the cards that your volume was dealt and how you handled it with poise and care. You each met a difficult year with focus and consistency. Nick, you set the expectation of who I wanted to be as managing editor: someone who dives into the work fully, leads with kindness and is a steady, reliable presence for all staff. I’m grateful for the example you both set and the foundation you left behind.
Nikki Ghaemi: I too remember sitting with you in the USC and firing off question after question about what it meant to be a news editor. You were one of the first people I met at the paper, and you helped me find my voice and made it feel like a place where I truly belonged. Thank you for believing in me.
Nick Perkins: Your writing is singular: precise, original and unmistakably yours. Taking features with you last spring was a highlight for me, and it was a privilege to enter your world of culture and learn from your editorial instincts. You transformed culture in a way few will ever be able to replicate.
Sage Russell: You showed up 100 percent of the time and you never once complained, always keeping the energy up. The Hatchet is a circus but you had an unparalleled way of taming it.
Sejal Govindarao: Your doggedness as a reporter is so admirable and something I look up to on a daily basis. I’m excited to see you kill it at The New York Times.
Josh Hong: You were such an asset to the team last year, and I wish we had more time with you. Thank you for jumping in headfirst and for dealing with my ever confusing Medical Faculty Associates graphics requests.
Nicholas Anastácio: You brought unwavering love for The Hatchet’s staff to everything you did. It’s been a pleasure reconnecting with you this year. Thank you for showing me that same thoughtfulness and kindness throughout.
Daniel Heuer: You were always a kind, steady presence in the newsroom and a thoughtful photographer who cared deeply about getting the moment right. Thank you.
To everyone else:
Liz Kost, Finola Thomas, Esli Rosenthal, Grace Munn, Mia Donnay and Fiona Lemieux: You know more than anyone how difficult and time consuming this job is. It is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever had the chance to be a part of, but it has also handed me some of my toughest moments. A steady support system is key to staying sane, and each of you were that for me. I love you very much.
Mom and Mimi: Thank you for your unwavering support in letting me chase my dreams at GW, and for being there through every step of this journey with constant love, patience and encouragement. Every milestone, late night and victory has been possible because of you.
The Hatchet’s Board of Directors: Thank you for your steady support and guidance in helping us navigate a year filled with unexpected administrative hurdles. Fiona and I are deeply grateful for your trust and willingness to step in and help us work through every issue as it came.
Professor Roberts: You pushed me hard in your classes to think about the bigger picture and get comfortable using my editorial voice. But perhaps most importantly, you taught me to be brave. Not just in obvious moments, but in the quiet ones too, when it would’ve been easier to play it safe. You pushed me to speak up and to take risks, something I come back to often, and something I’ll keep carrying forward. Thank you.
Patti Milton: I’m so lucky to have such an incredible role model in my life. You’re not only an phenomenal journalist, but one of the strongest and most thoughtful people I know. You handle hard moments with honesty and grit, which has shaped the way I want to move through the world. I admire you more than I can put into words.
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