As we near the end of the spring 2024 semester, and final edits are hitting our articles, we would like to thank and recognize our graduating seniors for their dedication to The Eagle.
Our seniors have dedicated multiple semesters to The Eagle, from reporting to editing to removing all the Oxford commas. The work our seniors have undertaken, on top of classes, work and other extracurricular activities, cannot go unnoticed. Since the day they joined our staff, they have been instrumental in upholding the integrity of our reporting. The Eagle is a huge commitment and we applaud each of our seniors for giving us their all.
Our former Editor-in-Chief Abigail Pritchard signed off with her own goodbye at the end of her term, saying Eagle staff went above and beyond in covering the intense news of the past year.
“We’ve raised our standards and challenged ourselves to do better,” she wrote.
Congratulations to our graduating seniors on all your hard work and your future to come. We will miss seeing you in the office and in our “spotted” Slack channel, but will forever cheer you on wherever your path takes you.
We invite you to read the reflections of graduating seniors below.
Phillip Kulubya, News Staff Writer, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
Joining The Eagle as a senior was a big decision for me. It felt like I was starting over, and I knew I needed to learn quickly to contribute as a new writer. During the summer of 2023, I was still figuring out what my focus for the newspaper would be. I applied for roles in both the News and Sports sections and was selected for both, but I chose to focus on News. However, the editors at The Eagle were so supportive that I ended up writing for both sections, as well as the Life section.
Delaney Hoke and Penelope Jennings from the Sports section taught me a lot about covering basketball games and writing features on AU basketball players. Sara Winick and Clair Sapilweski from the Life section helped me explore my interests in film reviews and environmental news. Editor-in-Chief Abigail Pritchard and Jordan Young welcomed me into the news section and were always happy to answer my questions.
Overall, The Eagle and its staff gave me the tools to grow as a journalist, and I’ll always be thankful for that. From meeting accomplished entertainers to doing post-game interviews, the Eagle has given me valuable experiences that I will never forget. I’m glad I got to finish my student media career with The Eagle.
Isabelle Kravis, Managing Editor for Copy, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
I was recently reminded as we put together our most recent print edition that I, somehow, am the longest-serving member of The Eagle, which is a scary thought. I joined The Eagle during June right before my freshman year, and during my four years at The Eagle, a lot has changed, and I’ve learned more about myself and about journalism than I ever thought possible.
I’ve edited roughly 1,329 articles since joining The Eagle, and each and every one of them has been a learning experience. So first, I want to thank the hundreds of writers who have woken up to my edits on their articles – you’re the reason we even have a Copy team. I also want to thank Georgina DiNardo, who taught me what it means to be a good Copy ME and for being my biggest supporter.
Throughout my time on The Eagle, I’ve also made some of my closest friends. Zoë Bell – who always gives me a reason to laugh, Jordan Young – who is the best partner-in-crime a girl could ask for, Sara Winick – who always lets me hijack her pitches and Liah Argiropoulos – who is always down to talk at 2 a.m.
I also need to thank the unsung heroes of The Eagle: Izzy Fantini – there is nobody I would rather spend 24 hours locked in the office with during print weekend, Nina Heller – for being the reason I can both walk, text and research obscure AP style rules all at once and Luna Jinks – I can’t wait to see you succeed.
Finally, thank you to the Copy team. Being Copy ME has been the best experience I could’ve had in college, and it’s because of you that I’m able to say that. Being able to be a part of The Eagle has been an absolute privilege and honor, and I cannot wait to see this paper thrive in the years to come.
Copy editing (finally) done by Isabelle Kravis.
Sarah Clayton, Assistant Copy Editor, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science
I think news writing was too scary for first year me, so I applied for copy on a whim. I’m so glad I did. For all the craziness of the pandemic and online classes and Zoom meetings, The Eagle gave me a home and a ridiculously lovely group of people. MGC-252, for all its quirks, is the one place on campus I know I can go and instantly be welcomed into the chaos.
The Eagle means business. I know this because I’ve edited articles from all of you (yes, even El Águila, though I can’t speak or read Spanish for the life of me) and I am never not blown away by the sheer talent every single writer has. The copy team is the cheerleader of the newspaper. You might not see us, but we see what you write. And we know that it’s good (even if you still use the Oxford comma. It’s okay).
I want to especially thank my copy team. I joined copy when I was a sophomore, and I was just in awe of the talent of the people around me. I want to thank my copy team over the years, who are grammar geniuses, and more important, the kindest and most amazing people.
To know AP style off the top of their head like Isabelle Kravis does is something I will never reach but always aspire to. Luna Jinks is an angel on Earth and is never not willing to help. You both are geniuses and perfect and more adjectives than I can say or think.
Our paper is great because of the people that make it. I also want to thank all my editors-in-chief: Clare and Nina and Abigail and Abby. The time and work and effort you all put into this paper makes it shine.
I want to thank everyone else, which would take ages and ages. But thank you all for being not only amazing journalists but the most genuine people I’ve ever met. I can’t wait to read (just read, no longer edit) all your work to come.
Zoe Bell, DEI/Community Engagement Editor, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Justice and Law
I remember where I was when I received my acceptance letter to The Eagle: walking my dog on a sunny July day in the suburbs of Maryland. Little did I know that this one email would forever change my college career.
Since the pandemic kept us online for the 2020-21 year, I knew no one from AU aside from the peers I’d met through Discord chats and Instagram DMs. I felt instantly welcomed by the sea of friendly faces on Zoom, where I had my first Life pitch meeting. Gradually, I began writing stories for News as well, and realized that news writing was not scary thanks to Dan Papscun and Skye Witley, my editors.
I want to thank Jordan Young for helping me write my first News story and for being a reporter and friend I’ve always looked up to. Thank you to Sara Winick, my sophomore year roommate, for writing a phenomenal story on her family’s traditional noodle kugel, without which I’d never have reached out to her. Sara is the world’s kindest listener whether I have an ethical question or the latest tea.
Thank you, Abigail Hatting, for being one of the best reporters I know. It was an honor to co-write stories with you this semester, from covering national protests to interviewing The Cornelius Kerwin for the latest print edition. Special thanks to everyone who has consistently shown up to DEI meetings; you know who you are! I am confident that I’m leaving The Eagle in good hands.
I am beyond grateful that The Eagle has introduced me to such talented, fun, driven fellow journalists. There is no better joy than the lively conversations that take place in MGC 252. I will carry many fond memories of my time at The Eagle as I take flight onto my next chapter.
Jordan Young, Investigative Reporter, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
To say that The Eagle has been a defining aspect of my college experience would be an understatement. The Eagle was where I made my first friends at AU over zoom, and I’ll never forget the feeling of hugging them in person for the first time in our office a year later. There are too many friends and mentors to thank than can fit in a few paragraphs, but I will do my best:
To Fariha Rahman, Nina Heller and Clare Mulroy for taking me under their wings as a baby editor. To Kate Corliss — I wouldn’t have wanted to grow up on this paper with anyone else. To Tyler Davis, Walker Whalen and Owen Auston-Babcock, for talking me off the ledge more times than I can count. To Izzy Fantini, for occasionally showing me mercy in Spotted, despite her advantage as my neighbor. To Kathryn Squyres, Sydney Hsu, Abigail Hatting, Sam Skolnick, Penelope Jennings, Connor Sturniolo and Clair Sapilewski. You inspire me each and every day with your passion and leadership. To Zoë Bell, Sara Winick, Liah Argiropoulos, Abigail Pritchard and Abby Turner for embodying what community means on this paper. Isabelle Kravis, my journalistic twin flame, I quite literally don’t know what I would do without you. And to everyone I got to lead as news managing editor — I’m still in awe of all of the work you did, and your faith in me has truly meant so much.
At the end of the day, The Eagle is just an institution — one that should be held to account the same way as the institutions we report on. What makes it special is not the organization itself, but the people who work tirelessly every day to improve it. I’m so excited to watch them carry The Eagle into a bigger, brighter future.
Sara Winick, Managing Editor for Life, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Literature: Creative Writing
Taking online classes at the height of the Coronavirus pandemic, my application to The Eagle was both a last-ditch effort to start reporting and an effort to connect with others. Though I didn’t know it at the time, joining The Eagle’s Life staff would not only introduce me to my first college roommate and one of my best friends to this day (our amazing DEI and Community Engagement Editor, Zoë Bell) but would provide me with a network of neverending love and support as well.
To my phenomenal Eagle mentors (namely Clare Mulroy, Kylie Bill and Trish McGee), I can’t thank you enough for your wisdom and all that you’ve taught me. To my Life staff – you are my rocks. There’s not a day that goes by where I’m not immensely impressed by your talent, and I would not be half the ME that I am today without your creativity and determination (especially Hannah Langenfeld, Maria Tedesco and my current section editors — I love you all dearly). To Sydney Hsu, my wonderful “Couch Potatoes” co-host, our insane conversations are some of the best parts of my week and I can’t thank you enough for being willing to record them and make a podcast with me.
And, finally, to my (many) Eagle roommates — Zoë Bell, Natalie Flynn and Donny Molloy, I am so sad our college years are coming to an end, but I am so glad to have spent those years with you. I hope you’ve all felt the same love and warmth from The Eagle that I’ve been lucky enough to feel during my time at AU.
Looking back now, it’s clear to me how much a college newsroom will give you.
Skills, experience, colleagues, mentorship — you name it, we probably have it. But beyond all of these things, there’s nothing more important than the family The Eagle has surrounded me with. Growing and changing each year, I know The Eagle will continue toward greatness long after I’m gone. And whether it’s five years down the line or twenty, I know I’ll be cheering you all on from the sidelines, and am so excited to see what amazing work you’ll all continue to do.
Kate Corliss, News Staff Writer, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
I have a theory that anything we’re still carrying with us from the fall of 2020 is worth holding onto. The Eagle community is one of those things for me. I started as a news staff writer during the first semester of my freshman year, isolated and desperately rummaging around for a “normal” first-year college experience. I don’t think any member of the Class of 2024 really managed to do that, but through The Eagle, I found the first corner of AU that I’d jam myself into for the four years to come.
Since that fateful Zoom meeting in my childhood bedroom, The Eagle has brought me some of my favorite bylines, my first editor gig and, most importantly, friends who will never get rid of me. Our careers will inevitably look different than we thought they would as freshmen, but The Eagle was never – and hopefully never will be – about professional development. It was about profound lore, laughing at our own misfortune, the unbridled thrill of wearing a blazer to a student media conference, losing two of our four press passes in your car for a year and a half (unclear who did this!), developing a parasocial relationship with the Zac Efron cardboard cutout in the office and ultimately, going to Guapo’s.
I am forever grateful to the fabulous Eaglets – current and former – who I’ve shared these moments with over the past four years. As much as we’ve grown, it’s clear to me that we will not outgrow each other. I will think of you every time I see the spaghetti stain on my crewneck, perhaps the only article of 100% cotton clothing in history that is resistant to soap and cold water.
Jelinda Montes, Managing Editor for Opinion, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG)
The Eagle has opened so many doors for me and helped me discover what I want to do for years to come! Joining the Opinion section my second semester was one of the best choices I’ve made during my time at AU. From my first article on scholarship displacement to the most recent staff editorial on the protest ban, I’ve been able to write on issues that affect students across this campus. As assistant editor for Alexis Bernstein last spring and fall, I was able to learn so much about other columnists and opinion writing styles. This semester, working with India Siecke, the satire editor, I imposed evil AP style on our hilarious satire columnists. I’d like to thank Alana Parker for being the quickest (and loveliest) editor in the world. Working with AU community members to share their opinions in guest columns was especially empowering. Capturing the opinions of Eagle writers at our editorial board meetings was an honor. Finally, I’d like to thank my lovely columnists who are full of the best ideas and most eloquent arguments! My time at The Eagle has been so sweet, if not too short, and I’ll look back on my time with the paper with fondness and formative memories.
Anthony Bayyouk, Sports Staff Writer, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
I've enjoyed every moment working at The Eagle. It has allowed me to practice my writing skills and be part of the largest and best community on campus. As an SPA student, joining the Eagle is not something common but it was one of the best decisions Ive made at AU. Writing for the Sports section has given me the opportunity to develop professionally by conducting interviews, connecting with new people, and through team work I am more prepared for my post-grad journey. I’ve had many great experiences working at The Eagle but my favorite part was playing spotted. I will never forget all the time I was spotted and had no idea until it showed up on the Slack. “Spotted” is something I will definitely miss because it is such a creative way to grow the community members closer.
Working for the Sports section was amazing because you have the opportunity to share athletes’ hard work with the entire community. In my game recap articles, I always made sure to highlight as many players as possible because I know the feeling of having your hard work acknowledged is something very special and it’s a feeling all hard working students should experience.
I want to thank all the editors on the Sports section for their hard work. I especially want to thank Penelope for editing all my articles over and over again, and always being quick to help me with anything I need.
Bailey Hobbs, Silver Screen Editor, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Music
I joined The Eagle sophomore year when I moved to D.C. after the pandemic, and it was one of the first places where I felt a real sense of community on campus. Whether it be seeing an Omar Apollo concert with a press pass or attending a screening for “Dune Part Two” alongside local journalists, I’ve had some truly unforgettable experiences with The Eagle and felt like a real journalist along the way.
I want to shout out some of my previous editors: Koz, Kylie and Trish, you guys rock and are some of the kindest, most inspiring people I’ve ever met. I also want to thank Sara Winick; I have had so much fun chatting about TV shows, complaining about job searching and just generally working with you over the past four years, and I can’t wait to see what you do next! Finally, thank you to everyone in the Life section, you guys pushed me to do my best writing, and I’m going to miss getting in fights over obscure pop culture or hearing all of your creative ideas next year.
Although I am sad to be leaving The Eagle, I am so grateful to have had this opportunity and worked with such a welcoming, talented and accomplished team, and I know the future is in good hands!
Jacob Fishman, Graphic Designer, Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Arts
Being a part of the staff since my freshman year has been a transformative experience, teaching me invaluable lessons about community building and storytelling. Initially, joining the staff as a newcomer was daunting, but it quickly became a platform where I could leverage my unique perspectives and ideas. This role taught me the essence of community—how shared narratives and common goals can bring people together and create a cohesive group. Through organizing events, collaborating on projects, and engaging in meaningful discussions, I learned to foster a sense of belonging and unity among diverse members.
Moreover, my staff experience significantly honed my storytelling skills. I learned that advancing a story isn’t just about relaying facts; it’s about weaving those facts into a compelling narrative that resonates with the audience. It involves understanding the audience, knowing what matters to them, and presenting the story in a way that is both engaging and enlightening. This skill has proved essential, whether in writing, presenting, or simply sharing ideas with peers and mentors. It has taught me to see the bigger picture and understand the impact of narratives in shaping perceptions and influencing actions.
Overall, my time on staff has not only equipped me with the tools to create and nurture community but also empowered me with the ability to craft and advance stories that have the power to inspire and connect people.
Copy editing done by Luna Jinks.
