Getting to the point in my college career to write this is strange to say the least. I found UT Martin on a whim, at a band competition. There was something about the Quad and the trees at night that I was enamored by. I took the chance to live in a small town by starting school in Martin in 2019.
I started in the Marketing department and realized something was not quite right before I switched to Media Design in the Communications department. I returned with a minor, though, and I would like to thank Mr. Bushardt and Dr. Kilburn for all the laughs.
The Pacer wasn’t something I was immediately drawn to, but it was a push from Ms. Tomi that brought me here. And I was so glad she gave me that push. During the first half of sophomore year, I had picked up running the French Club and International Club Instagram accounts with my roommate. I had always been fond of the app and didn’t mind stretching my legs running more professional accounts. Running these two accounts jumpstarted my opportunity to later run The Pacer social media.
Spring of sophomore year, I was next in line to take over as Social Media Manager when the time arose. It wasn’t the easiest of transitions, but it came the next spring. It started with just Facebook posting, which is not necessarily my forte, and added Instagram that fall.
By fall, I not only had survived a semester of being the social media manager, but also filling the role of International Club president. In addition, I was offered the role of Color Guard captain. If you had told me in high school I had managed Color Guard captain, let alone club president and working for a newspaper, I’m not sure if I would have believed you. I have always wanted to work for a school paper, and though it seemed super interesting, I didn’t know if I would have the opportunity.
Color Guard was something I thrust myself into in high school, having known little about it before. I wasn’t the best, but I spent my summers practicing tosses in the back yard. Being able to be captain was something in my wildest dreams. It wasn’t an easy task, but with the assistance of different co-captains I made it. Here I was able to lead as well as write flag work for multiple songs. There is nothing like being able to see the work you’ve written out on the field. I would like to thank Dr. Oelrich for putting me in that position, as well as KiKi Turner, Jordan Holcomb and Damien Hanks for being my co-captains.
Being a club president felt like always running against the wind and just barely staying afloat, especially during Covid. Planning events and seeing them come to fruition was incredibly rewarding, though. Behind every Kahoot, speaker event and holiday party, I loved being able to meet and speak with our international students. I would like to thank Dr. Humphreys for supporting the club and me through my last 2 and a half years as president.
No year at The Pacer was quite like this last one. We had finally gained access to our Instagram again, which let me firmly settle into that like I had wanted. Throughout these past two semesters, I have gathered a recognizable feed, forming a grid that I am extremely proud of. I am also extremely thankful for the ability to have my collage art and photography published.
Hanging out in the Pacer office, attending evening layout nights, and any day of the week Media Management Team meetings has given me a college experience like no other. Attending SEJC was also incredible, filled with inside jokes from the car ride as well. Talking about my experience at this newspaper wouldn’t be the same without talking about the people. Thank you to all the friends I made, especially the media team for the continued support. Above all, thank you to Ms. Tomi for wrestling us all together and putting up with us. And thank you to The Pacer for giving me not only my first job, but also lifelong memories.
