In 2022, I packed up my car and drove 897 miles to Colorado Springs. I chose UCCS on a whim and moved to Colorado, despite never stepping foot in the state before. Since leaving Idaho, I have grown into the person and journalist I want to be. 

One of the first classes I took at UCCS was Laura Austin-Eurich’s Writing for the Media. She encouraged me to apply for The Scribe, which I really thought about, but didn’t get around to actually doing until my senior year. Until that point, I was busy finding “my pack,” as my mom says.  

At The Scribe, I have made friends that I will keep for the rest of my life, and together, we have built a community that will be self-sustaining long after graduation.  

Once I finally applied and got hired at The Scribe, I locked in on the idea of journalism as a career. I started as a news reporter, and by the next semester was News Editor. Now, I have an internship lined up at the Colorado Springs Gazette. I know the writing skills I have would not be as developed without my experience here.  

During my time at The Scribe, I have dedicated hundreds of hours to covering anything and everything given to me, from national franchises coming to campus to the trial of UCCS’ dorm shooter, Nicholas Jordan. I have given my blood, sweat and tears, dedicating myself to delivering reliable and timely media catered specifically to students.  

Beyond these often-difficult journalistic responsibilities, I have built close relationships with my coworkers and with the sources of articles that I consistently fall back on, like SGA members. This has opened networking opportunities for me, allowing me to expand my resume and promote my writing.   

The bottom line is that I have gained writing skills at The Scribe that will help me for the rest of my career, until I’m sitting pretty at my desk at the New York Times or Washington Post.  

Goodbye, college, for now.  

News editor Grace Brajkovich.