It takes upward of 20 people to produce each and every weekly edition of the Collegian. From cartoonists to section editors to the editors-in-chief, each person trusts that the other will follow through and do their job to the best of their ability. It’s impossible to write every article, or go to every art show and sporting event or fact-check every minute detail. The Collegian runs on trust.

Being a part of the Collegian, or any student organization, gives you the chance to buy into something bigger than yourself. That feeling is the most valuable thing I have gotten out of Kenyon. Yet every year, it seems like fewer students are joining clubs, especially literary organizations. Our inboxes are bombarded with extended submission deadlines and pitiful pleas for executive club applications. 

So, please, join a team. Any team. Join ultimate Frisbee or Persimmons or KYDSA. Join Beyond Therapy or BSU or Take Five. Skim your readings to write for that literary magazine. Skip office hours to go to rehearsals. Join something that makes Kenyon fun.

I am confident in stating, in print now for the final time, that the lessons I’ve learned from being on the Collegian have benefited me more than any class I’ve taken. For those of you returning next year, take advantage of student leadership opportunities. You won’t regret it.

I’m grateful for my wonderful section co-editors over the years: Charlotte Walker ’24 (Sports) and Liz DeProspo ’25 (News). I’d like to thank former Editor-in-Chief Audrey Baker ’25 for her quiet yet strong leadership, and for always laughing at my jokes in the office. I’m especially grateful for Katie Sparvero ’25, my first editor, mentor, writer and my very good friend. Above all, I’m thankful for the amazing work of Sacha Franjola ’26 and Dorothy Yaqub ’26, this year’s editors-in-chief. It has been a pleasure to work alongside them and see them grow.

Although I am extremely proud of our weekly in-print product, what I am most proud of is seeing the Collegian staff’s improvement as writers, editors and leaders. Knowing that I played a small role in it means so much to me, and I sincerely thank the many members I’ve worked with, past and present, whom I could not name. Good luck to Vol. 154!