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.
My time at The Hatchet has most definitely not been picture-perfect. I’ve probably been a little too enthusiastic at times, burned some bridges and pushed people’s boundaries. But in the end, I’m glad I did it. This paper has taught me a lot, and more so, it’s taught our school a lot.
On the photo staff, we ask our photographers to send in a full take along with their selects. Photographers are notoriously bad at editing their own work, me included. Moments they overlook sometimes end up being the ones that matter most, or a photo that isn’t useful that week will end up leading the paper a few months later. My time at The Hatchet has felt very much the same. The unglamorous Facsen meetings, the countless basketball games (even the ones we lost), the protests, the campus files and all the other early small assignments made me into the photographer I am today. This paper is where I first learned how to be a journalist — where most of us did — and where I fell in love with the frenzy of it. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it because the work we make here is so important.
Countless Hatchet articles have sat with me for months, even years, after I’ve read them. They’ve impacted my friends, peers and colleagues in the same way. As most know, I never wanted to be senior photo editor, but I did it for that reason — to chase that feeling. The work we make matters, we matter, student journalism matters. The GW community deserves to have a voice to inform them, and I’ve been proud to have played a small part in that.
I’ve said it before, but visuals are the backbone of a good newspaper. A strong photo can communicate what words cannot. They’re what make readers pick up the page, open an article and put emotion into the words they’re reading. The Hatchet hasn’t always had a strong photo desk. This year, I think has been one of our best. There’s a lot to be proud of. We’ve introduced digital design, had some incredible photo essays on the page and our news team has produced stellar visuals the entire year. I’m honored to have been a voice in that.
To Volume 123, keep pushing, keep leading, keep asking questions. This university and this city need your voice.
To everyone who made the past few years feel worth it
Fiona Riley and Hannah Marr
Fiona, girl, we’ve been through it. If it weren’t for you, I probably would’ve quit back in October. I’m so proud of all the work you’ve done this year, and even more so, proud of all you’ve persevered. Whatever newsroom gets you next, they should be honored to work with you, as I have been. As we all know, the world needs your eye and sharpness more than ever right now. It’s been such a pleasure to watch you bring this paper to life.
Hannah, I look back and laugh at all the early Facsen meetings we did together, not knowing how close one day we’d end up being. When I’ve been at my most down this year, you’ve been there to pick me up. Never lose your ability to laugh and push through a bad moment, we need it. Your humbleness, care and tenacity shine through every piece you write and edit. Your dedication speaks volumes. I’ve never seen someone work out a story as you do. Thank you for always being an inspiration and such a girlboss.
And to you both, I know not everyone sees how much you two have done for the paper, but I do. Thank you for always pushing us to be better, to think more critically, and for caring so so much. You two have led this paper with such a strong and keen eye. I’ve asked a lot of you both this year, so thank you for working with me, for having such an interest in visuals, and for always working to make the pages look the best they can. I’ll always remember our hours of debating, panicking and working through all the late-night decisions together. Hatchet has meant so much to me this year because I got to work with the two of you, and it’s such an honor to call you both great friends. I wish we had more time together. I’ll cherish every memory we have, the good and the bad. You guys truly are going to be one of the hardest goodbyes after graduation.
Lexi Critchett: You’re one of the most incredible and talented photographers at this school, and that I know. Never forget how good you are. I’ve been so proud to learn and grow alongside you these last few years, and even prouder to be your friend. Your work in sports this year has been absolutely incredible. I’m counting down the days already for you to visit me in Los Angeles this summer. Until then, I’ll miss you more than you know. I can’t wait to see more of the thesis work you make over the next few months. I know it’ll sweep us all off our feet.
Ben Spitalny, Ryan Jainchill, Sandra Koretz and Syd Heist: My Vol 121 sports crew <3. Some of my happiest days at this paper were when I was a sports editor, and even though I joined the team a little late, you all welcomed me right in. I miss all the games we were at together, our Datcha days, the group chat memes. Ryan, that one Nats game. In the future, I’ll look back on my time at The Hatchet and think about how you four brought back to me the love of the game that I had lost. I owe a lot to every one of you for that. Ben, watching you lead this section the past few years with such heart has been truly awesome. Ryan, you’re like a brother to me. I’ll always cherish our heart-to-hearts, and watching you talk ball is a feat that I hope everyone gets to experience one day. Syd, you’re so well spoken and such a phenomenal columnist. I can’t wait to see the work you produce next. And Sandra, you’ve been such a great friend to me all these years. There are so many memories I’ll keep with me forever.
Nick Ware: You have brought nothing but good energy, life, thoughtfulness and appreciation into everything you do, inside and outside of the paper. I see how much you care in every photograph you take, and I can’t wait for you to keep on getting better. All of us owe you a huge thank you for the work you’ve put into Hatchet as a photographer, but I especially do. I can’t wait to see what that’ll look like as an editor. Being your friend is one of my greatest joys.
Cooper Tyksinski: The one and only Mr. Hatchet, thanks for being my brother in arms this year. Your passion, care and enthusiasm for photography is unmatched, and I hope that next year you find a story you love enough to put all of it into. You’ve got a lot left to do in the next two years, and I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Kyra Wood: You’ve grown so much since coming in as a photographer last year, and I’m so stoked to see what’s next for you. I’m so excited (and jealous) that you’re going abroad in the fall. Your laugh and sense of humor have brought so much to the team.
Mathylda Dulian: Remember that being senior is not about making yourself look good; it’s about making everyone else look good and being a leader. Be humble, but speak up for what you think is going to make the paper look best. Best of luck with the next volume queen, you’ll do a great job.
Grant Pacernick: I’m so sad we never got to go to Machu Picchu, and I’m hoping squad can all make it back this summer to go to space. Having you stay for prodos this year has been so much fun. You’re always a light when we need you most, and I’m so grateful you joined the team. Your sports coverage has been great this year, and I know you’re on to bigger and better things post-grad.
Kris Park and Carsten Holst: You both have brought so much to the photo team this year. In a cinch, you two have stepped up every time, something all us editors are truly grateful for. Carsten, you’re such a joy to work with, and Kris, you’ve got such a good eye. You both are incredibly talented. News is lucky to have you. I can’t wait to see what you two cook up.
Photographers: You guys are what make this paper worth it. Watching every one of you improve this year has made me so happy and so proud. Keep rocking on and making great work.
Abby Keenley, Anusha Trivedi, Livi Tuber and Mollie Weiner: Some of my favorite moments of this volume have been working on front page and photo essay designs with y’all. Thanks for putting up with me. I know I haven’t always been the easiest to work with. I’ll never forget all the basement laughs.
Andi Mendoza-Melchor: That one ops piece I wrote for you is still one of my proudest moments on this paper. Thank you for guiding me through it, and for not judging my probably hundreds of grammar mistakes. You never fail to make me smile when I’m down in the basement while you’re cutting.
Jenna Lee and Tyler Iglesias: Thanks for taking up the helm next year. I wish you both all the best, and I will be following along! Cheers to another volume. You two have put in so much work this year into helping us photo kids out, and I’m truly grateful for that.
Sage Russell: I wouldn’t have been able to do much of what I did this year if you hadn’t laid the foundation. Thank you for starting the visuals revolution, it was my joy to continue it.
Non-Hatchet
Mama: I feel like you’ve now also experienced all the ups and downs of a student newspaper. Thank you for always supporting me and for pushing me to do the right thing, even if it’s the hard one. Love you so much.
Sarah: I don’t think I could’ve gotten through the past few years on this paper without you. Thank you for being there every Monday morning ready with a hug, for listening to every rant, for hyping me up to have every hard conversation and for letting me talk through them, too. Everyone needs a best friend like you in their life.
And to everyone who’s loved and cared for Peaches, thank you. She loves The Hatchet and its people so much.
AC, PC signing off <3
