Dear Simpson University,
I have been counting down the days until graduation since April 25, 2019--one year out. But as quickly as it was approaching, it got ripped away just as fast.
Being a senior is a weird, bittersweet thing. I knew the day was coming that I would have to say goodbye to Simpson and I was ready for it. I was ready for that day in late April when we’d all part, dressed in our caps and gowns.
And while I’ve been more than excited to leave this campus, it was not supposed to end this way.
At this point, I can’t even put into words how I’m feeling. It all still feels like it isn’t real. I think most of us are in the same boat.
To my fellow seniors, I’m sorry. This is not how we should be saying goodbye. We should not have been forced to make snap decisions that day after chapel, many moving out without any real plan.
We had a whole month left. We had another month to drive our professors crazy. We had one more month to make memories we’d never forget.
I remember looking around the gym after the announcement and seeing people feeling the same as me--heartbroken. Many of us cried. We shared hugs and tearful goodbyes.
This has been an odd semester. A different way to end our college careers, to say the least. No one saw this coming. At the beginning of March, we were getting excited for the end of the year. Now I think we would all just like one more day with each other on campus.
If I could give any advice to the freshmen, sophomores and juniors I would say this: Don’t take your time in college for granted. Be excited for graduation, but enjoy every day leading up to it. As it turns out, you never know when you’re going to walk on campus for the last time.
The administration and faculty tried their hardest to come up with a plan for us seniors--something to make up for our loss of a spring celebration. The solution was having graduation at a later date, December 19. A whole eight months away. While I think we can all agree we are grateful to them for trying, it just won’t be the same. Several students have gone and won’t be able to come back. We also didn’t get our “lasts” the way we should have gotten them. Last day on campus, last day in class, last day eating in the caf, last practice, etc. These “lasts” are supposed to lead up to the grand finale--graduation day. That December grad just won’t be the same.
On a more personal note, I want to thank the people who have come to be a big part of my life because of this school, and who had my back during my two years at SU. This past year, in particular, has been tough. Several things happened that I wasn’t sure I would bounce back from. I felt broken and lost. But my people held me together. These people have provided the hugs and coffee, sat with me as I cried, made me laugh and changed my life. They have become family. My crazy, wonderful, dysfunctional family. Anja Enstrom, Alli Ramelli, Ariana West, Jacelyn Wedman, Ethan Wulfestieg, Esther Gnanadoss, Shay’Lee Dayman, Connor Sutton, Brendan Moskal, Dan Berger and Molly Rupert--I would not have survived without you all. Thank you for being my support system. The love I have for you guys is endless. I will never be able to express how much you all mean to me and how blessed I feel that I was given the chance to have you in my life. I'll miss you more than you know.
And of course, to my supporters outside of school, Kirsten Straccamoro, Wreth Simon and my family, I love you guys and thank you as well, from the bottom of my heart.
I don’t agree with quite a few things Simpson does, and most of you know, I have not been quiet about it. Despite my frustrations with the school, I am beyond thankful for the people I’ve met and the memories I’ve made. Simpson was not my first choice. In fact, it was never on my radar. I thought I was going to attend Texas Christian University. I wouldn’t trade my decision for the world.
I would give anything to argue with Esther and Brendan in the athletic office, work with my crew at the gameday table, spend a late night with Ariana and Alli in The Slate office, play Murder In The Dark with Ethan and Jacelyn in the library, spend a Tuesday morning laughing away in PR and sit in the comm office, drinking far too much coffee, with Professor Rupert, just one more time.
To the student body, thank you for allowing me the chance to be your editor for the past semester. I’ve enjoyed it immensely. Thank you for reading the articles we’ve published and for supporting us as your campus newspaper.
From the 2020 senior class to Simpson U as a whole, we thank you. Thank you for bringing us together. Thank you for allowing us to make lifelong friends. Thank you for teaching us, not just in the classroom, but outside of it as well. Thank you for building us into the young adults who are about to graduate so soon.
Saying goodbye is never easy. But it sure is harder like this.
Goodbye Simpson University, and thank you.
All my love,
Franchesca Carrera, Editor-In-Chief
Photo and Video Credit: Franchesca Carrera
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