Letter from the Editor: Thank You for 'The Chance' to Say 'I Was Here'

Editor-in-Chief

   As I write this, I find it hard to believe that I did not graduate from high school yesterday and at that time, write a farewell “Letter from the Editor,” much like this one.

   Time flies and four years have gone by since I wrote that letter and as I pulled out the small eight-page paper from Woodlawn High School, I realize now, I’ve known all along where I wanted to be and I thank the gift of music for leading me down the path of writing and design.

   To briefly tell my story, at a young age I taught myself how to use graphic design software such Adobe Photoshop and began to design random pieces of art that stemmed from the inspiration I found through whatever song played in my head. As I started high school this ability landed me the position of editor of the yearbook. This ultimately turned into me co-creating the school’s first official newspaper with the adviser, who to this day remains one of my dearest friends. She understood me. She knew what music meant to me, so she turned me loose writing about the one thing that made me, me: Music.

   As I wrote review after review, I knew then I wanted to pursue a career in journalism and be able to tie in graphic design with my writing and ultimately involve every bit of it with music, as it will always be a part of my life. I am now on that path thanks to the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Having the Chance

   When I graduated high school, I heard remarks from many classmates, “Why are you going to UAM?,” “You’ll never get anywhere going to a small school like that,” etc. I just ignored them. And now, I laugh at them.

   I knew what I was doing and am extremely proud to be a Boll Weevil. When I look at the things I have accomplished in my four years here, I am amazed and incredibly grateful. By attending UAM, several doors and opportunities have opened for me and I will never forget a single minute of it. The people make this university what it is, and I truly believe I am a better person because those people have become a part of my life.

   To Ron Sitton, Betty Matthews, Mary Whiting, Brooke Rodgers-Hogue, Isabel Bacon and Chancellor Jack Lassiter, I would not be where I am, or the person I am, without each one of you. I felt it appropriate to thank you individually and personally:

   Dr. Sitton, (yes, I’m breaking the AP Style rule and throwing the doctor title in there even though you’re not a medical doctor) thank you for everything you have taught me. You’ve given us (the staff) just as much of a hard time as we’ve given you over the years and honestly, it’s made us stronger. I hope we’ve had the same effect on you. When you first contacted me while still in high school, I had intent of joining your staff, even doing so before taking the Intro to Journalism course. I never expected I would gain the experience I have as I went on to hold multiple editor positions. I have truly enjoyed and learned a lot by serving as Editor-in-Chief (even despite the nervous breakdown or two that came along with it), and I thank you for giving me the opportunity. I never imagined I would end up placing as one of the Editors of the Year in the state from the Arkansas College Media Association and I never thought it would be one of the issues of The Voice under my reign that would take first in the state for Best Web Edition, the one thing you and the staff have been striving for since I first started back in 2007. In a way I’m sad to know time has flown so quickly, but I know I’m leaving you in good hands with the new staff.

   Dr. Matthews, you were one of the first college professors I had and you were the one who saw something in me and decided to nominate me for UAM’s Student Ambassador program. For that, I am still honored and grateful. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of a life-changing experience.

   Mrs. Mary, I have truly enjoyed being a part of the Ambassadors and serving as president. You’ve taken every single one of the Ambassadors under your wing and treated us as your own. The fact that you genuinely care so much about each one of us means the world. Working with the Office of Admissions has taught me so much about multi-tasking, organizing, and most importantly, learning to be a leader. When I started college, I was a shy person (I still am sometimes), but you believing in me and giving me the opportunity to serve as the president gave me confidence I never knew existed to come out of that shy shell. As I’ve said before, when the unexpected chance to pursue an additional major of Speech Communication occurred, I questioned how it could happen when I hated public speaking. Then I remembered the times I’ve been asked to speak at various events as part of the Ambassadors and that you had faith in me to make those speeches, and that gave me the courage to push forward with the double major. I thank you for that and for all of the support you’ve given me.

   Brooke, you’ve always told the Ambassadors you were more like a big sister or a friend to us all, and you were. I loved and enjoyed all of the talks we would have about random things, especially music. You are one of the kindest people I know and I will always appreciate the encouragement you’ve given me to follow my dreams.

   Mrs. Bacon, I have enjoyed continuing my studies of Spanish through your program. It has been an honor to work with you as part of Delta Zeta Epsilon and a pleasure to listen to all of the stories that came with the lectures in class. You are one of the hardest-working professors I have seen on the campus and there are many times I don’t think you receive the recognition you deserve. Thank you for your help and support over the past few years.

   Dr. Lassiter, thank you for all of the support you shown me and others. You are one of the reasons I will never regret attending UAM. When most people think of a chancellor of a university, they usually think of someone on a higher level than everyone else, someone you never want to deal with on an individual or personal level. That was never the case with you. It says a lot about you that you take the time to get to know the students, that when you see them, you are able to call them by their first names. Though there have been multiple chancellors at UAM, you are one of a kind and make the school a better place. I’ve heard you speak at several functions on campus and never once do you praise yourself. That says a lot as well and I wanted to use this opportunity to give you some of the praise you deserve.

   Someone I consider to be a friend and one of the strongest believers I know sings of not sitting on the sidelines of life and taking advantage of opportunities if given the chance. Just as Julie Roberts has the chance to share her gift of music with the world, I have a chance at finding success and following my dreams and I owe that to you at the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

I Was Here

   Country music trio Lady Antebellum sings the encouraging song “I Was Here.”

   “I want to something that matters, say something different, something that sets the whole world on its ear. I want to do something better with the time I’ve been given and I want to try to touch a few hearts in this life and leave nothing less than something that says ‘I was here,’” Hillary Scott sings.

   The lyrics inspire me and hopefully others. I hope I’ve lived up to them and been able to leave my mark in UAM’s history, just as it’s made a mark in mine.

   To the staff of The Voice, you have become a huge part of my life, you’re like family, but more so, some of the best friends I’ve ever made. The majority of the time, when we had staff meetings, I was always the youngest and more times than not, the only guy there (besides Sitton), so over time, you all have became the big sisters I never had. Luckily, someone younger who happened to also be a guy joined the staff, so the family finally gained a little brother!

   It’s incredibly hard to not name names, so I’m going to. Susan, Carrie, Tara, Candi, Indra , Danielle, Brittany and Aaron, you are some of the greatest friends I’ve known and I know the future holds great things for each of you. It’s easy to single the eight of you out. I can’t recall a time when at some point we were not talking about music or cracking jokes. I know that we will continue to keep in touch and hang out from time to time. I’m looking forward to that trip to “Paris” with you! Please don’t hesitate to call me if you ever need anything.

   To everyone who has worked for The Voice over the past four years, especially this past year, I first want to say thank you for working so hard to help produce an award-winning publication that we can all be proud of. We are a team and we could not have reached this level without every single one of you. It truly has been an honor to work with you. I have learned so much from the experience and I wish each and every one of you the best. To those who are graduating this year, I hope you continue to reach for your dreams. I wish the same to those who have already graduated.

   To those who are returning in the fall to carry The Voice to new levels of success, I know you have the talent and determination to succeed. I look forward to watching the publication grow and know that as I leave, The Voice will be in good hands. Good luck.

   To the students at UAM and to the readers of The Voice, I hope that you have enjoyed reading the things we’ve written and I hope that I was able to introduce you to new music over the years. Music has the power to change your life if you let it or help say the things you can’t quite find the words to say.

   I leave you with a final song by Jason Aldean.

   “Let’s don’t say goodbye. I hate the way it sounds. So if you don’t mind, let‘s just say for now ‘See you when I see you.’ Another place, another time, If I ever get down your way, or you’re ever up around mine, we’ll laugh about the old days and catch up on the new. I’ll see you when I see you and I hope it’s someday soon.”

The Voice invites readers to submit their opinions to the Readers’ Forum at http://uamvoice.wordpress.com; Snailmail us at POB 3460, Monticello, AR 71656; or e-mail us at thevoice@uamont.edu. Though letters may appear anonymous at the writer's request, the editorial staff must know his or her identity.

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©The Voice 2011