Throughout my time in elementary, middle school and high school, I was always a student who struggled to get by in school.

As someone who has A.D.H.D. and who had accommodations all throughout my time at public school, I worked hard to maintain just average grades. My abilities to succeed on tests were oftentimes unsuccessful, including my ACT score that was very low, even after taking ACT prep courses and retaking the test four times in the span of one year.

My low ACT score along with my average grades made it hard for me to qualify for scholarships or to even be accepted into some universities.

With recommendations from parents, I toured NKU during my junior year of high school. Instantly, I fell in love with the commuter-friendly campus, the chill atmosphere and the beautiful Griffin Hall building which houses the journalism program at NKU.

I was nervous about applying after receiving rejections from other nearby schools, but after speaking with someone who worked at NKU that came to my high school, I was determined to be accepted.

During the fall of my senior year, I found out I was accepted. I still remember the day I opened my acceptance letter and was jumping with excitement.

The thing was though that I wasn’t confident in my abilities as a student. I was doubtful whether or not I would make it through my degree, but as I write this now—I can happily say I did it.

It wasn’t always easy though. In fact, it was far from easy.

I arrived at NKU in the height of the pandemic in fall of 2020 (yes, I am still a little salty I didn’t get a real graduation). I always loved to write, but I was unsure of what I wanted my major to be. I began my time at NKU as a public relations major and a journalism minor.

It was hard being a commuter student, not to mention in the worst phase of COVID-19. It was so challenging that I almost transferred to another school.

I started writing as a reporter for The Northerner in the spring of my freshman year and instantly fell in love with the organization. I was promoted to being The Northerner’s arts & life editor at the end of that year.

I still had my doubts about staying at NKU, but after encouragement from my English professor Kristi Brock, I knew that I needed to reconsider and pursue the amazing opportunity.

So, I ended up staying and I am so glad that I did.

While being the arts & life editor, I was able to work with incredible new writers—many that later stepped into leadership roles on staff. In addition, I got to cover so many plays, musicals and other campus life stories while also getting to help other reporters take on important stories. It was such a rewarding experience.

After a year of being the arts & life editor, I became the editor-in-chief of The Northerner at the end of my sophomore year. I can confidently say my time as the editor-in-chief forever changed me.

Some of the top highlights for me throughout the two amazing years I served in the role were helping transition the publication into our now monthly magazine, learning how to do our weekly newsletter and getting to help my staff accomplish incredible things.

The Northerner’s staff and I received 14 different awards from the Kentucky Press Association in January 2024, including the Jon Fleischaker Freedom of Information Award that we received for our work using open records for an investigative news story.

These accomplishments didn’t come without challenges though—there were many long and late nights and personal doubts. But with those tough moments came great moments, too—making lifelong friends, becoming a better writer and becoming a better leader.

There’s so many people that made my experience at The Northerner incredible. Here’s just a fraction of some of the people that changed my life forever:

Michele Day—Thank you for your guidance, wisdom and always being there for me during tough times at The Northerner. Without your support, The Northerner wouldn’t have made it as far as it has. I hope you’re able to relax some during retirement! Thank you again for everything!

Matthew Dietz and Madison Plank—Y’all’s amazing leadership really impacted me as a journalist and showed me what good leadership looks like. Stepping out of the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge, and you all took that challenge as an opportunity.

Emory Davis, Sydney Bellm and Hailey Roden—Y’all’s talent and drive in photography was inspiring. Meeting tight deadlines and doing anything (and everything) to get the good photo were things you all made to look easy.

Killian Baarlaer—I loved getting to work alongside you and watch you grow into the incredible journalist you now are. Your cool, calm and collected energy, hunger for news and incredible contributions as a writer and section editor will never be forgotten [insert more cool adjectives and big words here].

Emily Sisk—There’s just so much to say that I simply can’t put into words about you, Emily. Like Killian, I’ve gotten to see you grow into the most incredible leader and journalist there ever was. You took every opportunity and didn’t just run, no, you sprinted with every opportunity. Your fresh ideas and willingness to bring intelligent questions and thoughts helped bring the publication to crazy new heights. Oh, and did I mention doing it all with your sweet southern charm? I know you’ll be the best editor-in-chief, and the next staff of The Northerner is so fortunate to have you as their fearless leader.

Mildred Nguyen—MILDERRR! You were the best right-hand-woman. You validated my doubts, listened to my endless rants and pushed me to be a better journalist. Working with you throughout my entire time at The Northerner had the biggest impact on me. You also are the most talented journalist and leader I know—there really isn’t anything you couldn’t do. On top of that, you never failed to step up when help was needed—whether that be with me (especially when I struggled with course assignments), the editorial team or even doing things like helping our advertising team, creating our newsletter and covering the toughest stories. No one will ever forget your incredible contributions and, of course, the infamous red coat.

Now that I’ve expressed my gratitude to my amazing colleagues, I want to next give my thanks to our readers. Thank you all for keeping up with the plethora of news we’ve had over the past few years, thank you for sending tips, thank you for stopping me while I was out and about on-campus and thank you for supporting me while I had the best opportunity to serve as the editor-in-chief.

I won’t ever forget about The Northerner—whether it be the stories I’ve told or the incredible colleagues who’ve impacted me.

Norse up!