Farewell to our Co-editors-in-chief Kira Hays & Vivien Sanchez!

Vivian

 

Vivien Sanchez

Co-editor-in-chief

When I lost my full-time job and was unsure what I was meant to do next, I found myself in journalism instructor Robert Muilenburg’s office. He convinced me this was my opportunity to shine. I thought he was crazy — in fact, I still think he is crazy, but I trusted him anyway and took his advice.

It hasn’t been an easy ride, but he has never made me feel like I was alone in the process.

I remember taking the news writing class and I had a conversation with our lab adviser, Scott Beckett. He realized right away I was unsure what I wanted to do with my degree and threw something out there that would change my life forever.

“Have you thought about writing for the Foghorn?” Beckett said. Words I would never forget.

Muilenburg and Beckett have a way of getting their students to trust their advice, even when it is a simple idea they are planting in our heads. I decided right away that I would take any advice they would give me, and since then, I have come a long way.

My first semester on the Foghorn I met three students on staff, Kaliegh Benck, Amber Quaid and Kira Hays, who intimidated me at the beginning yet ended up being the three friends I never knew I needed.

I will never forget when I landed my first front-page story. Inside I was jumping with joy and wanted to burst out in random song and dance, but I was afraid my accomplishments were not large enough to celebrate. Kaliegh reminded me they were. She told me if I didn’t celebrate for myself, who would? She has no idea that her few words would carry me through all my success since. Every story, award and promotion, I take the time to celebrate — and I’ve found out that because of her I’m never celebrating alone.

Amber helped shape my experience in the lab. She guided me through programs I never knew existed. I can count on her no matter what, and even when she moved on, she proved to be only a phone call away. It is because of her I took the chance and applied for editor-in-chief this semester.

And then there is Kira, the other half of “Vira.” We didn’t know what to expect this semester. The two of us became co-editors-in-chief and ran with it. She taught me to be strong, to think about myself more, and that I am more talented than I realize. Whenever I have doubts her voice comes in strong, “Vivien you can so do this!” I can always depend on having Kira in my cheer section. Besides an amazing sidekick in the lab, she has proven to be such an amazing friend. From New York to San Antonio and back home, it has truly been an adventure and I’m glad I had the opportunity to enjoy it with her.

The Foghorn has welcomed every bit of my weird personality into the lab, and has treated me like family. This wonderful group of people with completely different characters seemed to understand what I was going through. Thank you Foghorn for your support, your love, and never making me feel like I was alone. Love you guys and I wish you the best of luck.

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