BY ERICA GUSTAFSON, OPINION EDITOR
Though I may be an opinion writer, it’s not always easy for me to express myself. I heard about the Bona Venture Newspaper as an incoming freshman, and I hesitated. I wanted to be a part of it, but I did not think I would be good at writing for any of the sections. These nerves caused me to hold off on signing up to join the paper. Other than the women’s club softball team, I held off on signing up for other clubs and activities on campus as well. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to participate, but I didn’t think I would fit in.
Honestly, with senior year coming to a close, I regret that. I regret not joining in on the fun sooner. After I got the confidence to sign up, things fell in my lap like a flood. I went on to play and co-coach the club softball team and became president of the photography club. I am receiving the Fr. Cornelius Welch award for photography through the Jandoli School of Communication and will be inducted into the National Honor Society for Spanish, Sigma Delta Pi. Alongside these amazing experiences, I have made long-lasting friendships with some of the most amazing people and made networking connections with my professors and internships.
Overall, Bonaventure was a dream for me. It was my dream school as a small-town high school student and different from what I expected. It was different in a good way.
I never thought my writing would lead me to the BV, but I could not be more thankful for my time here and for those who helped me. Some amazing people helped me get to the opinion desk in the basement of the Reilly Center.
The Jandoli School Faculty: Thank you all for your honest and non-stop education. I would not be able to write or do any of the things I do if it were not for your leadership and lessons over the past four years. Thank you for taking the time to help me so much.
John Pullano: Thank you for reaching out our freshman year and asking me to write my first article for the opinion section.
Max McAuliff: Thank you for being a great editor for me when I was a staff writer. You helped me understand the opinion section and offered me the chance to take over the role.
Tom, Tucker, Cassidey, Nate, Will, Kurt, Hadley, Emilie and Kelsey: Thank you for everything. You all have been the most amazing team of editors to work with and made every late Wednesday night worth every single minute. You all taught me so much, and it has been so great getting to know you.
Meghan: Thank you for writing for me, and I know the opinion section will be in good hands moving forward. You are dedicated, creative and exciting within your writing. You’ve got this!
Thank you to all of my amazing friends at Bonaventure and home for always supporting me and encouraging me in every way. Thank you to those of you who helped write articles for my section and for reading the newspaper.
My last thank you is certainly the biggest. Thank you to my parents, Emily and Larry, my brother Daniel and my future sister-in-law, Jewelie. You all are my greatest support system in the world, and I love you all so much. I would not be anywhere near where I am today without you, and it is so hard to put my appreciation into words.
In leaving Bonaventure, change is coming, and it is not always bad. Though I feel my time on campus was short, it was incredible. A part of me will always be at Bonaventure in the valley. Go Bonnies!
