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.
The Hatchet’s presence on social media has become a force shaping student attention. What was once a grid aesthetic — or lack thereof — limited to simple headlines and faded-to-Hatchet-blue background photos is now a portfolio of blooming context and resources. One, I can say, after years of measured growth and adapting to changing times, a wide audience looks to for information about what is happening at the University and among the leaders and classmates around them.
I joined The Hatchet early my freshman year when our Instagram had roughly 4,000 followers and TikTok fewer than 100. Our content was a madness of multimedia, a section often overlooked but an area of journalism on the rise. Today, more than half of U.S. adults say they at least sometimes get their news from social media, and the number is even wider within the student demographic.
I was offered the opportunity to join this endeavor after a short conversation at Western Market where I presented a few infographics I had designed for class and, admittedly, oversaturated my interest in the field in general. Then, before I knew it, I signed on. I was handed login credentials and became, at the time, one of the youngest staff members on The Hatchet’s 119th volume — and, in my mind, its smallest when standing upright.
I had not yet written a story for the paper and spent many of my early days in the new city debating if it was the direction I was even headed. In high school, student journalism consumed my life, and I was unsure how to make that mine at a school like GW, where media programs are of the highest caliber, and peers around me presented as both confident in their voice and certain of their direction. At The Hatchet, I found those people not intimidating but inspiring — ones who always know how to ask the right questions, photograph at the proper third and have memorized the AP Stylebook like holy writ. Through the warmth and open doors of the townhouse, the budding writers and attentive creatives, who bring life and energy to each room and their curiosity to peers across campus, became my own.
Today, our following boasts over 11,300 on Instagram and 1,000 on TikTok and nears 8,000 on Facebook and 20,000 on X. We have more than 10,000 subscribers on MailChimp with average open and click through rates of 32% and 3%, respectively. These numbers may be large, and to some carry weight without meaning, but it is safe to say that, across platforms, The Hatchet is followed. Each like, comment and view makes me proud knowing my peers are listening, engaged and care.
I’ve been there for the long haul, celebrating these milestones — sometimes with champagne, most recently as our Instagram following passed into five digits last November, and other times with strategy sit-downs when posts accumulate interactions into the tens, even hundreds, of thousands. I’ve seen satirical and parody Hatchet accounts come and go, website relaunches and the shift in Instagram’s ratio from 1:1 to 4:5, and with it, our channel’s change too.
Almost three-and-a-half years after writing, and later scheduling, my first tweets, I can say that my obsession with building and maintaining a brand for what I feel was once a watchdog on campus — nameless and faceless — is well underway. Sharing the people behind the reporting is why we set out to grow the video team, add context, quotes and graphics to as many stories as possible, create content in parallel with our print designs and position our pages as forums for community interaction.
This organization has been a constant throughout my time at GW and also, at times, a challenge. It has shaped who I am and helped me determine who I want to become, both professionally and — pun intended — socially. My friends know where to find me on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings and accept when I pause to craft a post as I feel it is my responsibility to alert the community with breaking news like I am Paul Revere. The Hatchet has shown me that building connections and informing others are the engines behind whatever road I take next.
Leaving at a time when our media is increasingly fragmented, and people feel less connected, when higher education is being challenged, and developments at the University are rapid, I feel that The Hatchet’s social media has successfully and intentionally cut through the noise to build a platform that is more human, more visible and more connected to the audience it serves. I have been fortunate to track and grow these efforts alongside a team as passionate about visuals as I have become.
To everyone who has made this Hatchet goodbye bittersweet:
Ethan: The interviewer who sat at the other end of that Western Market conversation, one third of the tastiest ice cream sandwich known to man, none of what’s written above would have been possible without your mentorship, creativity and friendship. Thank you for believing in me, for bringing me aboard, for trusting me with the handles your vision first shaped. While your contact still reads “PAD BIG” in my phone, and I’m no longer your short shadow running around campus, it’s through your guidance and support over these past four years that I’ve grown into the Max I proudly am today.
Anaya: My Hatchet workwife and the other side of the sandwich, I’ll miss our never-productive tweet-writing sessions and leaning on you through all things School of Media & Public Affairs. Your honesty, confidence and passion for a better world are what I admire, and maybe fear, most about you. Whether it’s debating someone in class, being that ear always trusty and there to listen or hopping on Canva to, at the last minute, assist with the day’s Instagram stories, I rest easy knowing you’ve always got my back.
Renee: The one who kept me on lock when I may, or may not, have been slacking my way through senior year Hatchet socials, our team has missed your big ideas, your energy and your eagerness to do it all — and capture it all on video. I know wherever life takes you, you’ll succeed, as long as you keep doing what you did during our time working together: never take no for an answer.
Fiona Riley and Hannah Marr: Just when I thought my time at The Hatchet was coming to an end, a new friendship formed that made me regret not being more involved these past few years. Your commitment to this paper, your excitement about improving our social media and the consistency with which you respond to my daily nagging — captions and graphics and questions, oh my — is not only a relief but genuinely endearing. You’ve made me not only enjoy Sunday mornings in the townhouse basement but also coming back to campus on Monday nights and, of course, seeing you again Tuesday evenings to learn about the American Revolution at its semiquincentennial. In jobs that often feel impossible, your passion for creating a warm, open staff while maintaining excellence and steady leadership places you both, in my opinion, among The Hatchet’s greats.
Diana and Carly: One of the best parts of working on The Hatchet’s social media is the ability to collaborate across sections and with a wide range of staff, and I have to admit that working with you two was my favorite. You both have so much love for The Hatchet and everyone on it, and have always embraced the role social media and team building plays in our organization — fitting, given you lead our culture section. Diana, land that Adam Friedland sit-down next volume. I’ll be jealous, but I will also be reading. Carly, bring back all the Digital Reporting skills from our pal Carlos to guide our growing channels, and see that The Hatchet-Seville pipeline remains strong.
Ben, Grant, Syd and Ryan: This past year, in large part thanks to Renee’s determination, solidified socials and sports as a powerhouse duo that actively excites our audiences. I can’t wait to see where the weekly updates go after us seniors leave and how our sections expand sports presence across platforms, bringing in more teams and players and telling their stories from new angles. From live updates to recap videos, it’s been a pleasure working alongside each of you, and it’s no wonder The Hatchet’s sports section is so strong — you all have some of the most compelling and dynamic personalities on the paper. Ben, watching you grow as a leader has been a historic rise, and like you are to GW Athletics, I’ve been an avid cheerleader. Grant and Syd, I’ve enjoyed our many laughs we’ve shared on the editorial board, and I’m glad to now call you both my friends.
Andi and Ava: Despite sometimes regretting accepting your offer to join the editorial board, thinking it’s the last thing I want to do as I walk southbound down 21st Street and up the stairs to the townhouse late Monday nights, after this past year of staff editorial meetings, it’s safe to say that joining you both has been deeply rewarding and one of my favorite parts of being on The Hatchet. Through your input, I also feel I have become a better social media director. You’ve shaped how I think about what students and the broader community need to know and helped me with designing graphics and writing captions with stronger context and clarity in mind. Andi, you bring the warmest and most thoughtful energy to The Hatchet, and I love how loudly you root for everyone around you. Know that I’m rooting for you, too.
Arwen: The neighbor I didn’t know I had. It’s no secret that posting photo is my favorite. It’s why I’m constantly begging for the occasional Sunday photo essay and to have all the talented photographers tag The Hatchet from their personal and professional channels. To the photo team in general, thank you all for ensuring that each story looks as strong visually as it reads on the page.
Sandra: Despite sometimes hating that I have to post an advertisement when I am not yet ready to add it into that day’s prodo lineup, the fact that it happens so often, and enough to irk me, only proves how good you are at your job. You and Fig, of course, have been an ever-present, always-smiling duo for me at The Hatchet and make for the best run-ins across campus. I’m grateful I got to grow through this organization alongside you.
Fiona Bork: It’s funny how many times I’ve mentioned, or will need to summon, Seville in this piece, but it’s clear The Hatchet-Andalucia connection runs deep. I enjoyed exploring the city with you and being the only two in our program crazy enough to take on internships while there. I’m glad that experience brought us closer after working on the paper together for so many years, and it’s been just as meaningful to see you step into a role guiding and supporting the next generation of reporters.
Abby, Anusha, Mollie and An: It’s clear our teams share the same end goal, just with different ways of getting there. In my eyes, you all are some of the most fun, always-chatting, always-laughing people on staff, and I know we would have had a blast if I had ever actually joined you for an all-nighter designing the print issue. I envy the work ethic it takes to do it and the masterclass of skills you bring to the visual aesthetics that I only wish I could replicate better on our social feeds. An, I’ve also loved learning from you how to translate information from data into visual form, and I’ve come to see it as not only essential for breaking up blocks of text but something that adds real value. Abby, my mutual-friend-turned-friend, I have always admired your optimism and am glad this paper has brought us closer. Mollie, let’s commit to phone banking Jewish Dems all midterm season long.
Max Porter: I remember the two of us stepping into staff roles around the same time, but it is only recently that I’ve gotten to really know you outside of being the other Max, which makes me wish I hadn’t kept my distance. Your voice, knowledge and instinct for asking the best questions make me confident that the transition from podcast host to leading attorney will be a smooth one.
Marcel: When the camera and tripod come out, I know a strong video is on its way to bless The Hatchet’s profile. I admire your sharp eye for detail when it comes to video production, and I’m excited to see where the section goes with you back on campus and not out exploring the streets of Seville — though I hope you are having the best time at Ruko. See that socials and video keep teaming up for endless projects ahead.
Rory: As social media director, I grew used to knowing names without matching faces as I was constantly promoting everyone’s stories. You were one of the first members of The Hatchet’s news team/clique that I felt comfortable approaching after sharing Roberts’ class and attaching your name to all your breaking news across our platforms. I miss seeing you around campus and the townhouse.
Past Managements: If only you could see how far I’ve grown in this organization. Thank you for the guidance as I’ve become more confident as a student, writer and leader. Although I may not have been too talkative in our Sunday budgeting meetings, I’ve always been a careful observer and carry your excitement for independent student journalism with me in my studies and at The Hatchet.
The future of socials:
Andrew, Victoria and Madeleine: Just know I will be following along to see where you all take The Hatchet’s social media in the years ahead — and occasionally grifting off the premium Canva account. Keep an eye out as I’ll aim to be your first like on Instagram and one of the first to open the newsletter on Monday and Thursday mornings. Remember to leave your mark on these pages and think strategically about how to grow and expand our presence. Think outside the box and try something new, but also stay consistent. Andrew, bringing you onto the team these past few months was a great addition and helped me stay energized and finish out my tenure strong. Your willingness to experiment with new types of videos and platforms, as well as eagerness to work across sections and staff, has me confident you’ll succeed at The Hatchet and truly make this place your home. Victoria and Madeleine, I have complete confidence that Instagram, Facebook, X, the newsletter and all the smaller corners the socials team touches will succeed under your leadership. See that The Hatchet’s social media is both fun and impactful, and it all starts with the dynamic of the team behind it.
To everyone else:
Reluctantly, I accept that this school has shaped me into who I am. If it weren’t for the family I created here — and the people who have seen me through it all, brought me out of my shell, laughed alongside me and encouraged me to shine as my most authentic self — I’d likely leave Foggy Bottom with not even a GW T-shirt, but only loans to pay off and a bachelor’s degree to prove it. But it’s through you all and the memories we created that I leave the bounds of this campus with a big smile and so much more, and a reason to come back. Thank you all for sticking with me.
– 30 –
