I graduated from high school in the midst of COVID-19. I knew I was going to UCCS, but I didn’t know how I would make friends when all my classes were online. It’s not always the easiest to make conversation with someone who is just a colored circle with two letters in it. 

And then, I found The Scribe. I joined as a reporter in my first semester and found a community of people who loved what I did — writing. I became Copy Editor as soon as I could, because I am a grammar hawk, and the only way you can be one of those without being made fun of is to make it your job.  

It was at this newspaper that I transformed from a timid freshman to a confident senior. I was pushed out of my comfort zone more times than I could count, especially because I kept signing myself up to talk to random students in the “Voices of UCCS” column. Why did I do that to myself? The world may never know. 

I have met so many incredible people here who have inspired me to reach my full potential. Annika Schmidt, the Editor-in-Chief when I first came on staff, was such an inspiration to me. She was so confident, wrote brilliantly and went after sources like no one’s ever done. Judah Jackson was quiet and wise and seemed to know absolutely everything.  

I wanted to be as cool, calm and collected as them. And I can’t forget Bri Beassie-Weil, the Copy Editor before me, who taught me everything I know about my job. She also loves BTS. ARMYs for the win! 

Not only have I met some incredible people who have inspired me in my work for the newspaper, but I have made some great personal friends. Shoutout to Ellie Myers, probably one of the funniest people I know. She is so talented at writing and in theater, and I can’t wait to see where God leads her after graduation. Shoutout to Abby Aldinger, for being such a wonderful writer and for noticing all the little details. And shoutout to Lillian Davis, for being a fellow K-Pop lover and being such a friendly, chill and funny person.  

But, aside from my professional relationships, friendships and being a “legal” grammar hawk, my favorite thing to do while at The Scribe was to find ways to put my interests in the articles I wrote. And believe me, I did it a LOT. It was great to be the one behind all the Staff Picks, too. It meant I could do whatever I wanted with my answers! 

I wrote about my car, my wonderful Kia Soul, probably more times than I should have been allowed to: in the best cars for college students, my (Kia) Soulmate article, a Barbie Staff Picks and a satire on potholes and hitchhiking. 

I also found ways to reference famous people I liked in my column. The Marquis de Lafayette makes an appearance in what Barbie we would be, our favorite desk decorations and in our six-word stories. I also found a way to reference Jeffrey Combs in the Super Bowl Staff Picks, and I said I would watch his movies all spring break. 

When it came to Scribe playlists, my answers in February, March and April always included at least one song from Wham!, which is my favorite band ever. I also said I would listen to their music all spring break, and I did. 

My years at The Scribe have given me the tools I need to work as an editor in my career. I have created valuable relationships with some amazing people. I have learned how to work well with deadlines, pursue answers from sources, write in different ways and become more confident in my editing and knowledge of stylebooks. 

I will graduate five years after COVID-19 shut everything down. The world has changed, and so have I. Once I was uncertain of myself and scared to talk to others. Now I know who I am and where I am going, and I will gladly talk about my interests all day.  

To all who served with me at The Scribe, to all the individuals I interviewed, to everyone who believed in me: thank you. You helped me find the confidence within myself to go out and chase my dreams. 

New York, here I come! 

Copy Editor Kate Marlett.