By Deirdre Spilman
Associate Editor
As I sit here in the newsroom, I think back to editing farewell editorials as a sophomore assistant opinion editor and wondering what I will say when my time comes. Well, the time has come and I have no idea where to begin.
The Bona Venture has been such a huge part of my time at St. Bonaventure, and I am extremely sad to see it go.
I lacked confidence in my writing before the BV, and I was not the only one.
During freshman orientation my parents spoke with a journalism professor. Extremely supportive, yet not overly confident in his daughter, my father asked the professor, “what happens if your child is not a good writer?”
Certain of his teaching skills, the professor responded with a quick “you mean she isn’t a good writer, yet?”
And he was right. I am astounded by what I have done. Four years ago, I would never have imagined that this soft-spoken, easily intimidated person would be writing opinion articles, let alone running the section.
Knowing that I am capable of conducting an interview or editing another writer’s work gave me confidence that I lacked before the BV.
My father was happy to be proved incorrect and looks forward to receiving his weekly copy of The Bona Venture.
Not only has the BV made me a better journalist, but it has also made me a better person.
Before the BV, I preferred to work on projects alone, and I was nervous when asking for help. Now I cannot imagine not having my Op/Ed cohorts to rely on for help. We were a team and a pretty efficient one if I do say so. Well, at least when we weren’t arguing about Chris Brown or that weird penguin on that children’s show.
We conquered late nights in the newsroom, InDesign, deadlines that were too close for comfort and much more.
Joining the BV was probably the best decision I have made at Bonaventure. While most of my classmates were sitting in a classroom learning about news writing, I was out there getting actual real-life experience.
I am very thankful that I begrudgingly followed my roommate to the interest meeting during the first week of classes. Had I not, I would have missed out on amazing experiences and meeting wonderful people.
At the beginning of senior year, as this chapter of my life is approaching its end, I questioned whether or not St. Bonaventure was the right decision for me. As an unmotivated high school senior, I only applied to St. Bonaventure, and I only picked the JMC major because I did not want to go in undecided.
I can now say with full confidence that it was the right decision for me. I am sure I could have taken the same courses and written for a newspaper at a multitude of other schools. However, I would definitely not learned from the same great professors, met the same amazing friends or made the wonderful memories that I will surely look back on.
Although my future after graduation is unclear, I am confident that I will be able to handle whatever life throws at me. Thanks for that, Bonaventure.
