The position of editor-in-chief has challenged me in ways I never expected. 

In the two years I have been here, I have formed amazing connections and gained valuable experience that I couldn’t have without the Northern Star.

The different positions I’ve held at the Northern Star have pushed me out of my comfort zone in a variety of ways.

When I stepped into the position of editor-in-chief, I wasn’t sure if I had made the right decision or if I could do the Northern Star justice. I can confidently say I proved myself wrong. 

I started working at the Northern Star before I officially started classes at NIU. I joined in May 2021 as a lifestyle reporter, was lifestyle editor in Spring 2022 and was editor-in-chief for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.

This job has been stressful but has also been incredibly rewarding. 

I’ve always enjoyed writing and photography. This job has allowed me to continue my passion while also giving me the opportunity to grow and gain skills and experience I will take with me throughout the rest of my career.

My goals coming into this role in the fall included strengthening our news section, bringing video content back and making the Northern Star a place where everyone that works here wants to be. Looking back on these two semesters, we have all met these goals together as a team.

To any students who have an interest in joining the Northern Star but don’t know if you have what it takes, I started here with no previous journalism experience. The Northern Star can help teach you so many skills that can help you no matter what career you go into.

I want to thank Daija Hammonds, current managing editor, for being the best person I could ask to work so closely beside. Thank you to Nick Glover, current lifestyle editor and soon-to-be editor-in-chief, for being so dedicated to the Northern Star. I know that you will accomplish great things.

Thank you to the Northern Star advisers Shelley Hendricks and Maria Krull. Both of you are a big part of this organization and have been so helpful. I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve had working with both of you.

I also want to thank Wes Sanderson, former editor-in-chief, Brionna Belcher, former managing editor and Jacob Baker, former lifestyle editor. Thank you for all helping me grow and learn.

To Jeremy Norman, a Northern Star alum, thank you for helping us to redesign and transform our website into something special.

Thank you to all the section and assistant editors: Abigail Lamoreaux, Josefina Trella, Nick Glover, Bridgette Fox, Ethan Gonzales, Sean Reed, Savannah Lundberg, Alex Crowe and Evan Mellon. It’s truly been a pleasure getting to know and work with every single one of you. To all other members of the Northern Star, I hope we stay in touch and I wish nothing but the best for all of you. 

Finally, thank you to our readers. You are the reason why any of us are here and why we do what we do. 

While I’m excited to see what’s next for me, I will miss working here and everyone I have worked with. I look forward to seeing what this amazing team accomplishes in the fall. Go Huskies!