Midway through the first semester of my freshman year I wanted to quit The Daily Orange.

The people below convinced me to stay without knowing it. They taught me why 744 Ostrom mattered to them and should to me. Three semesters later, the most important decision I made at Syracuse — to push further into The D.O. — wouldn’t have happened without them.

Michael: Yes, there was a time when I thought you were a clown. But I don’t really remember that kid anymore. I think we both realized last spring we were more similar than either of us wanted to admit. While it still lead to smacking heads this semester, we’re better for it and this paper will be better with you running this section. You’re extremely insightful and know when to push. Stick to do that and you’ll bring this section to another level. You’re more than ready for this.

BB: My guy! I have a feeling I may never again work with someone so helpful. Besides you being my personal mathematician and fact checker, your love for this place made you the ultimate asset on a staff. Killing the FNL beat that ambitiously gave you the keys to is something I’ll always admire. You’re a guy that likes the little things. I’m a believer that your emphasis on those things will lead to bigger things in the future.

EB: If nothing else, I’ll know as you that dude that wrote the obituary for a hedgehog. This semester you pushed digital far more than I thought you were going to when you were hired. You were a voice of reason when the rest of us overlooked things like headlines or tweets. Stay digital homie.

Kaci: One of the things I’ll miss most about this place is a Kaci Wasilewski oddly-specific story about something loosely related to the topic at hand. They’re always funny and kept the mood light. Some of my favorite reads of the semester came on your A1s. Keep writing about things that matter to you, it’s a powerful thing.

KJ: I often say my lack of a little brother has me on a constant search for one. You’ve filled that role this semester at 744. Aside from all the jokes, you work your ass off and you’re starting to get a grasp of things. Don’t get complacent and keep pushing. Let’s keep doing some reads together.

Graham: If  you took the vocab part of my SAT I’d be at Harvard. Although I loved to slice those words, it’s a small sample of your broad intelligence that was intriguing to poke at on long car rides. In some ways you’ve been a guinea pig for me at this place. Thanks for always going first and guiding me through my experiences. I’m excited for more road trips down the line. Long live the Copper Still Pub and the New York commuter rail.

Chuck: I’m not sure why, but everyone always said I’m the one that understands you best. Perhaps that’s what brought us so close or maybe it was our enjoyment to do things besides interviews on the weekends. Regardless, you’ll always be my first friend at The D.O. and someone I know I can go to with anything.

Guti: Learning from you was a (Sergios) pleasure. A few reads on the visuals couch with you in spring 2017 made me decide to work in house and I’m forever grateful for that. I envy your ability to find a niche story no one else knew they wanted to read until you put it in front of them. Let’s co-byline soon.

Liberman: Weird to think we covered softball together back with Delt Mike, huh. I’ve always admired your ability to report extensively on a subject and make the extra phone call. Thanks for staying awake on the ride back from Duke. Neither of us would be here without it.

Nalvy: You’ve always had a strong sense for what makes a good story, like that time Otto took off your hat during a men’s soccer game and beat with you it. That was a great story. I’m excited you’re back working in house and know you’ll take advantage of the opportunity.

Dabbundo: Perhaps I’m letting you in on the secret too soon, but I’ve always pushed you the hardest for a reason. You’ve got a lot of potential and want to get better. Keep that mindset and things will fall your way. Looking forward to see where working in house takes you. My phone line is always open, even for your weird hours.

Emerman: The man in the passenger seat. You’ve pushed harder than anyone this semester and the results are starting to show. It may not seem like it but you have a lot of time, seize it.

Rest of sports staff: Sorry gang, they put word counts on this thing. Thank you all for answering my dumb reading tests and putting up with me through the semesters. I’ll still be around for a while so please stay in touch.

OG: It’s truly weird to think the field hockey contributing photographer is now the editor-in-chief of the paper. I’m grateful that a random politics class in Whitman started a lifelong friendship. You’re one of the most intelligent reporters I’ve come across, especially at such a young age. You’ve been a steadfast leader for this paper through this semester and I expect nothing less moving forward. Can you teach me how to file a FOIA request already? That’d be sick AND dope.

Ali: You’re the most consistently happy person I’ve ever come across. Your energy and humor made The D.O. an inclusive place to work. Though we butted heads more often than either of us would’ve liked, your underlying goal of pushing our section was always understood. Have a blast in New Zealand. Maybe in that time I’ll finally learn how to use InDesign, or figure out the “grid.”

Shub: Road trips with a camp counselor were bound to be fun. You may go down as the most talented photographer who doesn’t want to pursue photography I ever work with. Let’s hit West Virginia soon.  

4tr: This could be rather long, but a great editor once told me to keep tight to an angle. Thanks for the cheeseburger at Bellator.

Schwed: You taught me how to make a younger staffer feel welcome. There’s a reason our whole grade still leans on you for advice so consistently. Thanks for always being a good friend. Humdinger on me sometime.

Tomer: You were the first editor that seemed satisfied with what I turned in and that made me come back for more. Thanks for that.

Jesse: It’s advice like yours that keep this section from complacency. Keep the G-chats and texts coming even if I’m still scared shitless of them.

News: Theta Tau coverage will go down as one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen at this paper and I couldn’t be more proud to say you all let me have a small piece in helping. Keep Nickelby around. I always secretly liked him.

Pulp: This section absolutely killed it this semester even if you didn’t enjoy me heating up my food every night.

Colleen: Never forget the Twilight marathon. Also, your fam wins best PUP food ever.

Bridget: You’re ability to roll with the sports staff constant shortcomings was unbelievable. Keep on them next semester. We’re a forgetful bunch.

Talia: I still don’t have any idea what Gluten is but I do know you’re a fantastic designer. The digital graphics you made on the fly on coverage days never ceased to amaze me.

Andy: I’m not sure if you know more about digital design or D.O. Drama but I’m confident your knowledge for both is vast. Thanks for always making fun of our stupidity.

Molly: Sorry, I still haven’t filled out the bus.

Max: You’re studly — Boss man.

Strauss: You’re undoubtedly The D.O.’s king of Whitman. I’ll be calling you to manage my portfolio some day.

Schafer family/ Gram and Gramps:  I don’t think any of you will ever fully understand what I did here on a nightly basis. But you all knew it was important and supported me anyway. I’ll always appreciate you all for that. Love you guys.

The delinquents: Thanks for always having a cold beer ready for me after a long day. Time to find out what you all do Sunday-Wednesday.

Published on December 6, 2018 at 1:49 am

Contact Josh: jlschafe@syr.edu | @Schafer_44