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 used to think that being an empath meant that it had to come at my own expense.
When bad things happened to people I cared about I took on their struggles as my own burden. I thought that made me a good friend — internalizing others’ issues in order to help solve them. But I always had to take it a step further. I sat with their feelings long after our conversations had ceased and I let them weigh on me because I thought it meant that I cared.
For a long time I prided myself for it. I accepted that empathy came with a cost. And to be a good friend that cost had to be me. But the more darkness I absorbed, the more it started to feel less like kindness and more like I was drowning.
It wasn’t until my freshman year when I joined The Hatchet — my first exposure to storytelling — that I realized I could both use my empathy for good and that I could feel good doing it.
I didn’t know what journalism was when I first came to GW. I wasn’t on my high school paper. I didn’t know what a lede was. I had never written a graf. But I always knew I wanted to be a writer — following in the footsteps of my author grandfather. And instead of clicking “creative writing” or “English” under the majors drop down on my Common App applications, I found myself selecting “journalism,” with the justification that I wanted to write about “real things.”
So, upon coming to GW, I decided it was probably the right move to join the school paper and see what this whole journalism thing was really about.
I can’t say I fell in love with the work immediately. The deadlines were tight. Starting an article on Monday and having to turn in a draft by Wednesday was a timeline I hadn’t ever had to adhere to in high school. Reaching out to random people and having to physically talk to them was also an uncomfortable adjustment. My first semester I only took two bylines. But by second semester I had started to get the swing of Hatchet style. I had gotten used to talking intimately with strangers and telling their stories through my own voice. I started getting asked to take more stories than I would volunteer for.
When I found out that I was going to be Vol. 120’s student life editor I was shocked. It was the one beat I hadn’t written for yet and I had no idea what they saw in me for the role.
But I think it was my empathy all along. They saw it as a strength even before I did.
In journalism, we’re asked to talk to and cover people going through an array of problems, emotions and experiences. The job literally asks you to put yourself in the shoes of others to tell their stories on their behalf.
It was through my year as an editor — talking to fellow students, hearing their experiences and learning, through trial and error, how to best communicate them — that I first realized that being an empath didn’t have to mean all darkness for me. Storytelling gave me an outlet to channel the darkness rather than take it on myself. The more people who shared their stories with me, the more I began to realize that it didn’t feel like I was drowning anymore. In fact, it felt like I was slowly coming up for air. And through each story, I have been chasing that feeling ever since.
The Hatchet is where I fell in love with journalism. But I think it’s also largely the place where I learned to love myself.
Here’s to the people who were integral to that journey:
Rory Quealy: I know you are technically former staff but it didn’t feel right to put you anywhere other than first. I didn’t come to The Hatchet knowing I wanted to pursue journalism or even really what journalism was. You were my first exposure to someone who had a true passion for the field and that was a huge reason why I fell in love with it. From The Hatchet to class to work, you have touched more areas of my life in college than anyone else here. Thank you for giving me the space to be emotional, passionate, happy, sad and irrational at all times of the day or night. For challenging me and opening my mind to things I had never considered before. I constantly look up to you and I think a lot of my time in college was spent trying to be like you. If I can say I made it even halfway there, I’ll consider my four years at GW more than well-accomplished.
Hannah Marr: I’ve seen a lot of people pour their heart and soul into this paper. But none compares to you. You think and think again about every decision you make and the impact it could leave down to each individual. You will work on a story not until you can’t anymore but until you are 150% sure you got it right. You not only care about good writing, you care about making GW and its community a better place. Being a part of BIG STU were some of my favorite times on the paper. Quickly, you became the person I would consistently go to in hard times and good. You never once failed to have my back. I am grateful to call you not just a colleague but one of the closest friends I’ve had during my time at GW. I can’t wait to see what you do because I have full confidence that you will change the world with your journalism.
Fiona Riley: I wrote a story sophomore year that made A1. I didn’t think it was all that special and to this day don’t fully understand why it made the front page. But I remember you read it in wordpress and you were talking in the townhouse about how much you loved it. First of all, I was touched that you had taken time out of your busy Sunday schedule to even read it. Second of all, you saw what it had even when I didn’t — the person who wrote it! That’s when I knew you were going to be this paper’s next leader. Even in your news editor days, you cared about all of the stories going out every week, not just your own. And you know how to recognize what distinguishes a front page story. Watching you manage the staff has been incredibly special to see. Management is arguably one of the hardest parts of the EIC role. And you have handled every conflict with patience, grace and reason. The Hatchet should consider itself honored to have had you amongst its leaders. I can’t wait to read your future work and stay friends following graduation.
Jenna Lee: The first story we worked on together made A1. As the editor, I got all the credit but I don’t think that was entirely fair. It was you who made that story, which largely wasn’t a big deal, front page material. I remember watching you cook in the townhouse, writing with ease and elegance in your first draft. Your writing, interpretation and dedication continue to meet the standard of excellence that not only The Hatchet but top news publications strive for. I loved hearing all of your ideas for the paper next year during the election and seeing how excited you were to get started. Beyond your editorial skills, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you as a friend this year. You never fail to make me laugh and I love that I can talk about any books with you from Kristin Hannah to Ali Hazelwood. You are an excellent reporter Jenna, an even better person and I have no doubt that you will make an outstanding EIC.
Tyler Iglesias: I never had the privilege of editing you but I remember the name Tyler Iglesias constantly being thrown around the newsroom my sophomore year. “OMG Tyler is always so on it,” “Tyler wrote this amazing story,” “I have a tough piece this week, but it’s okay because Tyler is on it.” This was my perception of you before I even knew who you were and you lived up to every bit of praise. Watching you work in the townhouse on Sunday is like an art. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so locked in. You care about every story and you care about making it the best it can possibly be. That’s how I know you’ll make a stellar ME. It was a joy getting to know you on a more personal level through prodos this year from your obsessive printing habits to your refined morning routine. You’re funny and interesting and I always learn something new when I’m with you. Keep that morning routine sharp as you step into the ME role next year!
Ryan Saenz: Student life is not an easy beat to tackle with two people. One person is something I contemplated weekly how you accomplished this year. Yet each week you came in with passion, enthusiasm and a plethora of new ideas. Thank you for always being receptive to my pitches and (super unbiased ;)) vision for the student life beat. You led this extremely difficult beat with confidence and purpose, definitely better than I ever could have done. I am so beyond excited to see what you do as SNE. Continue to approach the role with confidence in yourself and I know you will succeed.
Gianna Jakubowski: Though I never got to edit you, I heard about you all the way from Spain. There was never a doubt that you would be on staff. By the time I come in on Sundays, most of the news team has left but more often than not, you are still there working through a high-stakes A1 piece or breaking some last minute admin news. Your consistent pattern of going above and beyond in everything you do says to me that you will be a relentless reporter in the future. The new news editors should feel honored to have you and Ryan as their mentors.
Abby Keenley: I am so beyond grateful that we ended up abroad together. The privilege of knowing you is something I can’t bear to think I went so long without. You are fun and easy to be around but you’re also a person that I have come to feel like I can tell anything to and I know you would never judge me. This year is the first time I’ve really seen you in action in the townhouse and it’s been so fun and impressive to watch! My technology skills are subpar to say the most and watching what you do with the page and seeing how good it looks when I pick up a print copy each week continues to astound me. Thank you for doing one of the most important and underrated jobs on this paper. I’m so glad we have gotten so close and I know I will consider you a lifelong friend.
Diana Anos: I said to Rory multiple times last semester that both you and Carly, and now Jessica’s, excitement and enthusiasm for the Culture beat has been so refreshing. I’m constantly impressed by the creative story ideas you come up with, which never fail to turn out fun, interesting, well-written and well-reported. You were always a top-notch student life reporter so it’s not surprising. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you a bit beyond The Hatchet this year as well. I hope you know you can always reach out for anything as you continue on the Culture beat and take on the responsibilities of MD. With your demonstrated motivation to make The Hatchet a better place to work, I know you will outdo yourself in both roles next year.
Ben Spitalny: You always want this paper to be better. That has been evident to me before I even really even knew you. I’m so grateful we had the opportunity to work together even if it was for a short time. I think our partnership resulted in some good this semester which is more than I could have asked for as CRD.
Molly St. Clair: You were consistently the BIG STU go-to reporter in Vol. 120. We fought over who got to have you on a story every week and probably exploited your time way too much as a reporter. But from the first story we worked on together, which was by no means a simple one, I realized that you just had that dog, as Nick Pasion would say. The ME role will be hard but I have no doubt that with your editorial judgement and reporting instincts you will excel. Live it up at Uthopia while you still can!
Sachini Adikari: You were one of the first new reporters I worked with as an editor. Each time I gave you feedback, you always applied it and got better. I’m so excited that you’ll be following in my footsteps as CRD. Your care and dedication to the paper from your very first byline has never waivered which is how I know you’ll be perfect for the role. Don’t hesitate to reach out any time.
Dylan Ebs: In facts, you saved me more times than I can count. I genuinely remember multiple occasions when I read your facts back and realized I had made a huge mistake that could have cost the article if it made it into print. Thank you for always being on it in everything you do to make each edition the best it can be. The news team was lucky to have you this year!
Adelaide Petras: I was so beyond excited to hear that you will be taking over student life next year! The student life beat is demanding. It requires compassion, thoroughness and courage. Your commitment to meticulous copy edits tells me you are well-prepared for the role. I know you’ll be in good hands with Ryan, but please don’t hesitate to text if you ever have questions.
Elijah Edwards: You bring an energy to the townhouse that I don’t think I’ve seen emulated in anyone else during my time on the paper. Whether it’s in the townhouse basement or Roberts’ class you never fail to make the room erupt in laughter. Aside from your humor, you have continued to be a top notch editor in both of your beats. Thank you for taking on this unexpected and extra workload this year. I could think of no better person to have juggled the roles with such effort and care.
Vol. 123 News (Bryson Kloesel, Arjun Srinivas & Natalie Note): Thank you to each of you for picking up something that wasn’t in your job description this volume. Arjun, for taking on health & research, Natalie for stepping in when we needed you and Bryson for never flinching even when there was a time when you were running one of the hardest beats on the paper on your own. You all did more than you signed up for this year. Thank you each for doing it with a smile on your face.
Max Porter: I think you are one of the first people I met not only on The Hatchet but at GW. University Writing feels like a trip but I remember when I found out we were both on staff I was grateful that I would know another person. Having tried to do exactly one podcast for a class during my time at GW and failing quite miserably, your weekly work to produce these pieces combining multiple different forms of media to create something more accessible than a news article is beyond impressive to me. I’m looking forward to staying in touch and seeing what you do in the future!
Lizzie Jensen: Even though you weren’t a news editor, I’m so glad you were brought into Guiness. Alero nights and angry ranting in the group chat wouldn’t have been the same without you. Your infectious smile never fails to brighten the dull walls of the townhouse and I only wish I got to see you there more. It was fun running into you at the Hall of the States this year. Can’t wait to see you kill it on the big screen!
Andi Mendoza-Melchor: Putting your opinions out there in a public forum is not easy. Prof. Roberts always says that the best journalism comes from being brave. I see that in your stories and am constantly looking to embrace that essential quality in my own writing. I know that your perspectives are appreciated and reflected by many in the GW community. Thank you for being brave so others don’t have to be.
Arwen Clemans: It’s been so fun getting to know you through the paper. I remember seeing you at some event coverage back in sophomore year and immediately assuming that you were in a high role on the photo team, though I don’t think you were even on staff yet. Still, you were out there in the field taking photos at all hours of the day and night. I think I mentioned to you at the beginning of the year that I had an interest in photography and wanted to try my hand at taking some photos for The Hatchet. Even though I didn’t end up following through on that this year, I appreciated your excitement in my interest. I admire your work immensely and can’t wait to see it in the big pages soon.
Mathylda Dulian: I enjoyed getting to know you (and suffering together) through Investigative Reporting last semester. Though that class wasn’t the most enjoyable part of my week having you and other Hatcheters in the class made it significantly better. Senior photo editor is one of the most important visual roles on the paper. Your influence is crucial to its aesthetic which is what first catches people’s eye even before they read the headline. From your gorgeous photos and unique personal style, I am so excited to see what you come up with for the pages next year.
Cooper Tyksinski: The Hatchet has been needing a paper route revamp for years (maybe even decades). Thank you for reaching out to us and for working hard to make sure the thousands of dollars (we don’t have) that we spend on print each week gets seen by the community.
Max Gaffin: I had always heard your name thrown around on the paper but never really got to know you as a friend until we studied abroad together. I’m so glad I got to know you outside townhouse walls. I have so much fun talking to you and hearing your hot takes. Thank you for doing the essential work of ensuring our content gets seen by a wide audience.
An Ngo: Making graphics has never been my strong suit. But for a visual person, they are more than essential when it comes to reading and interpreting news. Thank you for deciphering my very likely unclear graphics requests as a news editor and for always putting together a beautiful visual element to go along with my stories. I know Rory mentioned this in her 30 but thank you also for your leadership in putting together Fall Conference this year. I think it was one of the best and it definitely could not have come together the way it did without you. You have been an invaluable bridge from The Hatchet to other journalism groups and I’m so happy we got to collaborate this year.
Grant Pacernick: As soon as I got back from abroad, I knew I had to meet this Grant that everyone was talking about. There’s something about your presence that makes everyone smile or let out a chuckle even in the most serious times. This quality to enhance the townhouse atmosphere only comes from a select few each year and you never fail to make the experience better for everyone. I, and the women’s lacrosse team, also appreciated your receptiveness to all the sports pitches from my roommate this year!
Sandra Koretz: Your commitment to the sports section has been evident to me since I first became an editor. I’m sure I pitched some pretty bad sports story ideas to you over the years but you were always extremely receptive. I know that you’ve continued to be an asset to the paper as you’ve carried on on the business team this year — one of the most important roles on the paper. Without it we wouldn’t exist. Thank you for never faltering in your care for the paper. Let’s get together with Eliana in L.A. some time!
Anusha Trivedi & Livi Tuber: Getting to spend time with both of you in the basement this year has been a privilege. Each individual in the basement brings a unique personality that makes its atmosphere something that every generation of Hatchet staff talks about. You both bring a light each Sunday that makes it feel not so dark and gloomy down there. Like I mentioned to Abby, thank you for making the paper worth picking up every week.
Mollie Weiner: You were always a bright light in the basement last semester. Your laugh, carrying energy up through the floors of the townhouse, always brought a smile to my face. Your presence was definitely felt and missed throughout the rest of the year. This is how I know you’ll make an incredible MD. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me anytime.
Facts (Kya Hoffman, Louisa Hannoucene & Ethan Tsai): Facts is one of the most important and one of the most underrated roles on the paper. Each time I would sit down to write a story as a news editor I would have the comfort of knowing that there would be a second pair of eyes on Sundays to double and triple check my work. This level of scrutiny is not common in most newsrooms. I’m grateful to all of you for working tirelessly through the night to ensure the content we’re putting out upholds the highest principle of journalism — accuracy. Beyond the work, it’s been so fun to chat with you all as individuals during prodos! I’m excited you’ll all be continuing on the paper and I’m looking forward to continuing to see your names on the page.
Former staff
Jennifer Igbonoba: You were my rock sophomore year. I believe that I have never worked in a partnership better than the one I worked in with you. Our partnership always felt effortless. Exchanging pitches and bouncing ideas off of each other. Any time I had doubts about myself or what I was doing, you were the first person I called. And you always knew the exact right thing to say to make me feel better. You constantly challenged me to think outside my own box and I know I am a better journalist because of it. Thank you for being the person who largely shaped my experience on this paper and for being one of my best friends throughout college. I’m so beyond excited to see what you do in your career as I will be following your work.
Rachel Moon: I’m always impressed by people who join staff that don’t want to go into journalism. But your level of dedication to the paper took it a step further. It made me want to try things not just to add to my resume, but to work hard and become good at something outside of my realm of comfort or expertise. I’ll text you when I find what that thing is! I loved when you broke your quiet demeanor with a witty or sarcastic remark that made the whole newsroom erupt in surprise and laughter. Vol. 120 News and this paper would not have been the same without you.
Cade McAllister: In its most serious times, you always made The Hatchet fun. The times I laughed the hardest on the paper almost always included you. And the times you weren’t in the townhouse always left a hole in the newsroom atmosphere. There’s few people who understand the SD-DC pipeline and I’m grateful to have a constant on both coasts. Let’s get tacos next time we’re both in SD!
Brooke Forgette: You and Jennifer were a powerhouse in student life. Your partnership exceeded all of my highest expectations and produced, what I believe, was some of the strongest, most comprehensive stu life coverage the paper has had. Even before that you were basically contrib contrib stu life during our sophomore year. Thank you for being unwaveringly dedicated to making the student life beat as best as it could possibly be.
Grace Chinowsky: I know that Vol. 120 News did not make it easy on you. But I hope you know that any time I receive a compliment on my journalism skills from internship coordinators or others, it’s you who I credit. I continue to believe that you are one of the strongest reporters I have ever met, both at The Hatchet and through my internships. It was a privilege and an honor to work under you and to be able to say that I learned from you. I know I wasn’t perfect but thank you for the time and energy you took to invest in me and the news team and for always being an advocate for us. P.S. I think my grandparents may be some of your number one fans at The Lookout!
Faith Wardwell: You made time to get coffee with me on multiple occasions to talk all things student life. Those coffee chats both gave me insight into the beat but also made me feel seen when I was having doubts in my ability to report on the beat. Thank you for always being a resource for me during that difficult year. Though I didn’t work directly under your ME tenure as an editor, I heard from others that you were a fierce advocate for their stories and habitually helped out in areas even when you didn’t have to. Thank you for being a role model to me and for always working to make the paper better.
Ianne Salvosa: You were my first editor at The Hatchet. You were always my go to for questions as a reporter and into my time as a news editor. Having someone to go to who had done the job before was especially valuable to me as an editor and I appreciated you always being open to answer questions. Thank you for working to give me opportunities to write and get better as a reporter and for being one of the people who pulled me into this world.
Erika Filter: Amongst the newbie editors in Vol. 120 News you were referred to as the “beast.” You took more breaking news stories than anyone. Your stories were consistently making A1 and you always had the cleanest and most fleshed out pitches at budgeting. I know that each of the sophomore Vol. 120 news editors were trying to be like you at one point or another. Beyond your stellar reporting skills, you saved us in our hour of need this year. Thank you for stepping up to one of the most important roles in the broader Hatchet community. The next volumes and alumni are lucky to have you at the helm of the Alumni Association.
Caitlin Kitson: I remember one time we were working on a story together at the townhouse when I was a reporter and you were an editor. When we left the townhouse, I had a million questions about joining staff and I followed you away from Thurston, where I lived at the time, and peppered you with questions. You answered all of them with patience even though a reporter basically following you home was no doubt annoying and maybe even creepy. Thank you for answering my questions because that walk is one of the things that solidified joining staff for me. Your work as the development director and your effort to include reporters in Hatchet culture also inspired me to pursue the DD and CRD roles to help continue your legacy of creating a better broader Hatchet community.
Tara Suter: It’s been really special to be able to chat with you at the office these last few months about Hatchet drama that I’m sure you don’t care about anymore. But it’s been really fun for me to be able to talk about it with someone who’s graduated, sharing my own stories and hearing yours from before I was even on staff. It showed me that The Hatchet truly does live on wherever you go.
Nikki Ghaemi: My time on the paper has largely been spent following in your footsteps. And boy were they big shoes to fill. Thank you for supporting me in my different roles on the paper. I carried a lot of your advice and lessons into my time as both student life editor and CRD. And I know I was able to do the roles better with you as an example.
Cristina Stassis: I enjoyed working with you junior year to try to create a better environment for reporters and staff members. Thank you for always being an advocate for me and my ideas.
Nicholas Anastácio: One of the biggest things that I remember about you from Vol. 120 is that you were always around. Because of this, you were someone I got to know and always felt like I could go to if I needed something. This is a quality I tried to embody this year in a management role because I know I always appreciated it as an editor. Following graduation, you’ve continued to stay present, showing up to alumni events and always being available to answer my CRD questions. I wish we had had more overlap on the paper but either way I’m grateful to have gotten to know you.
Nick Pasion: I’m not sure if you remember this but it’s one of my most vivid memories of you. We were covering something together late at night and I asked you whether you were bummed or not that some coverage we were doing had derailed some of The Hatchet’s oldest senior traditions we look forward to upon joining staff. Your answer was no. That you had missed being out in the field covering stories live as they were happening. You said having the opportunity to report again was better than any missed tradition. I remember feeling extremely impressed by your response in that moment. It said to me that you cared. And seeing that made me want to find out what it was about this field that made you so passionate. It’s a huge reason I’m on a track to pursuing reporting right now. So thank you for being a role model to me. Your words continue to echo in my head to this day. And when I think of The Hatchet you will always be one of the first things that comes to mind.
Zach Blackburn: You always had a calmness about you that made me feel at ease in the townhouse. You never made me feel like I wasn’t good enough or doing enough or trying enough even though I know I wasn’t perfect. Thank you for always having an open door and for always making me feel like I was enough on this paper.
Family & friends
Family: Mom, for staying on the phone with me while I cried on the bathroom floor on multiple occasions. Dad, for constantly reminding me that you were proud of me and for always sharing my pieces with your friends. TJ, for always showing an interest in my latest reporting endeavor. Mimi, for always encouraging me and being proud of me. Grandma & Grandpa, for making this experience possible for me. Papa, for reading all 60 of my Hatchet bylines and for writing me a note with your thoughts after. Thank you for always being my biggest fan and supporter in my writing career. I hope you know that when people ask me why I entered this field I always talk about you.
Grace McCloskey: You have been a constant throughout my experience on The Hatchet and throughout college. I could turn to you in the good times, the bad and the ugly. You offered to fly out here and (I’m lightening the language here but) “harm” the people who hurt me or made me cry. You always made me feel good and validated even in the times I knew and you knew I was in the wrong. I could not have done this (any of it) without you by my side. Thank you for being the one thing I know will always be there.
THE Sistine Chapel (Caroline Tone, Cameron Johnson, Dani Trevino, Quinn Giordano, Annie Gold & Lila Wolk): Rory said this in her 30 but I have to repeat it because I don’t know how you all put up with having two Hatchet editors in the same friend group sophomore year. I think the paper collectively dominated at least 90% of our conversations and I know that it drove many of you insane. Still, we couldn’t stop ourselves. I know you worried for us. I know we didn’t always look like we were having the best time. Each of you individually picked us up when we fell down. You brought us food when we were covering protests and always asked if there was anything we needed. You had a front row seat to our best and worst times on The Hatchet. Thank you for supporting us unconditionally even when you didn’t understand why we kept going back.
Team Jasper (Emma Beach, Frances Laufer, Lily Buckley, Libby O’Connell & Katelyn Power): I think you guys were some of the biggest supporters in my Hatchet career. You sent me pitches, agreed to connect me with people, read my bylines and others. I always appreciated your attention to the paper. It assured me that the work we were doing was important and that people were reading and cared about the content we were putting out. Thank you for being some of my biggest fans!
Sources: I’m always in awe of the amount of you who say yes to an interview. To volunteer your time to explain a particular subject you’re an expert in or to share an experience you had that reflects the experience of others is a selfless and noble thing. The Hatchet and journalism in general would not exist without you and I’m grateful for every person who agreed to a conversation with me these past four years and the ones who will say yes in the future.
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