I could not imagine the journey my younger self would take when I first settled into San Marcos almost five years ago.
Coming from Mesquite to San Marcos, I had never toured campus or knew what Texas State looked like outside of online images and orientation modules. It was my first time being so far from my family. I was mainly interested in visual effects but chose to pursue electronic media on a gamble, opening my path to journalism.
I joined The University Star in fall 2022, with the goal of getting personal and professional experience and wanting to make a difference in my life and those I could reach in the future. In terms of prior experience, I had only worked on my high school’s broadcast news team. Despite this, Marisa Nuñez, the Life and Arts Editor at the time, hired me.
Seeing my story printed for the first time and on the front page, I knew I had to improve from that point on. Being a journalist introduced me to San Marcos through its community and culture, covering events, people, clubs, fine arts and more. I also got more familiar with photography, having joined Multimedia and occasionally taking photos for stories I wrote. I saw every story come together each time I worked.
I planned to end my Texas State journey with my bachelor’s but would continue with my master’s, opening the door to become Life and Arts Editor when Nuñez became the editor-in-chief. I was not sure about taking on that responsibility, but after asking around, I decided to apply and got the position. It was expectedly and unexpectedly different from what I was used to, however I enjoyed guiding my section and watching reporters grow.
Every time I trained new people for my section, I started with an icebreaker where we introduced ourselves. This included our names, majors, classifications, a piece of media we recommended and an aspect we liked about either Texas State or San Marcos or both. No matter how much my answers changed, the last one would remain the same: I liked how the people here were so willing to help one another. I saw this time and time again through the connections I made and the people I reencountered. It was always nice to see a familiar name with any new story I worked on.
To Blake Leschber, Rhian Davis and the e-boards I was a part of: you are what made each Monday unique, and I doubt there will be another e-board like these ones. To Cady Clements, who will take over my position, and the Life and Arts section: I know the section will reach new heights, as Clements already has the passion and drive for it. To Laura Krantz and the other advisors and professors I spoke to about journalism: thank you for lending an ear to my many questions and hypotheticals.
As I make final preparations for my classes and then my graduation, I look back at what I could accomplish and what I did not quite get to do. Even writing this means I will have to acknowledge the end of my Texas State journey, but I know I can only move forward from here.
