Minaret Editor-in-Chief ‘Mails It In’

Photo courtesy of Alex Vera

When I came to the University of Tampa in fall 2007, I was shy, wanting to just fit in. It was a new environment for me — making new friends and juggling both school and work.

Despite what seemed to be a heavy workload, I didn’t want to just sit back. I wanted to participate in co-curricular activities. I had the full intent of joining the yearbook, but chose to join The Minaret instead. I was co-editor of my high school yearbook during my senior year and, from my experience there, developed a passion for design. My participation in yearbook is actually what drove me to applying for the graphic design program at UT.

My first day in The Minaret office was really the selling point for me. I remember coming in and seeing a man relaxing, with his legs on the table in the center of the room. The man at the table greeted me with a confident and humble greeting: “Hi, my name is Charles McKenzie.” It seemed like a stress-free environment and the people were some of the nicest I had met a UT.

Since that day, it’s been that way. In my year as Editor, I fully intended to keep it that way. Having worked with past editors Steve Knauss, Peter Arrabal and Charlie Hambos, I saw the environments change — for better and worse.

I am writing this article as a farewell to my staff, readers, friends and colleagues. If it were not for this group of individuals, I don’t think I would have broken out of my shell and grown into the confident man I am now.

Josh, I’ve only known you for a year, but you’ve been one of the funniest and coolest people I’ve ever met. It’s also nice having another Hispanic in the office to relate to. Keep up with the good work and don’t lose the Yogi Bear accent. I also hope you pursue the Editor-in-Chief position after your Asst. Editor position next year.

Cara, I’ll miss your giggles and your infamous saying: “Let’s get this shit done.” In my years at UT, I’ve never met a news editor as driven as you. Despite running into some of the less trendy and shocking stories, you always made journalism fun. I’ll miss our 5 a.m. walks to the garage and I’m sure you’ll miss all the back-rubs, even though mine were not as good as Josh’s.

“Sports!” Daniel and Kyle, you are two of the most avid sports fans I’ve met and also two of the loudest people I know, but that’s a good thing. It would be a lie if I said I won’t miss your constant gripes and shouted requests for Red Bull or food, but that’s why you have Michael.

Mandy, you have certainly surprised me this year. You have strongly delegated and managed your writers. I hope you are able to reunite with your parents in England sooner rather than later. We’ll definitely need to hang out at Busch Gardens and go to movie screenings from time to time.

Mikey and Richard, I can’t wait to read this magnum opus you are currently working on. Mikey, I’ll miss your laid-back personality. You’ve definitely impressed me with your various contributions in other organizations on- and off-campus. Richard, keep up the good work and say “hi” to the heroes for me.

Laura and Moriah, thanks for putting up with my lateness when I was submitting my editorials and articles. Laura, I’ll never forget some of the smoke breaks I took with you. I’m also going to apologize for subjecting you to reading some of those infamous and poorly written articles by those who shall remain nameless.

Philippa and John, I want to thank you guys for stepping up this year. I know it was late in the summer when you were notified and you did not really have a grasp of the responsibilities and duties of being a section editor. John, I’ll miss all the DRIVE events I never went to. Maybe one day, I’ll “DRIVE” next to you.

To my adviser, Dr. Dan, thanks for being in the office when we needed you, as well as recruiting more staffers. When I first met you and heard the words “sexy” and “journalism” come out of your mouth, I knew you were the right fit for The Minaret. I’ll never forget your references to giving our best content “the space it deserves,” as well as the moments you would inhale, sigh and reserve your comments after an “executive decision” was made.

This year, my aspiration was to transform the paper into a more alternative publication, on the basis that it is a weekly publication and a tabloid. You’ve certainly been a driving force behind issue-based content. Thank you, for your hard work and dedication to UT and our staff. If I could buy you a tablet, I would.

To my replacement, Michael Francis Trobiano, next year is certainly going to be innovative and I can’t wait to see what you have in store. You’ve been a kick-a– asst. Editor-in-Chief, and I know for a fact that there is no one more awesome than you. I would say “good luck,” but I know you don’t need it.

I hope you don’t have to sacrifice as much sleep as you did this year, but in the end, it was all worth it. I know that, as much as many of us complain, we would never trade these precious moments. (Too corny?). Seriously though, I’ll be in Tampa, so I’ll only be a phone call away, if you need me.

To my professors, thanks for challenging my artistic abilities as well as making me a better person. Thanks to Kendra, Catherine Barnes, Santiago Echeverry, Ina Kaur, Deborah “Debbie” Loran, Jeanne Cameron, Julia Kristmundsdottir and many others.

I will forever keep in mind a saying that my friend Liz introduced in my Beginning Printmaking class: “just be.” I will “just be” who I aspire to be.

Alex Vera can be reached at av@alexvera.org.