You can imagine the shock, dear reader, when the story of my pink eye appeared on the front page our first semester. It was November. It was probably chilly out too. I had likely written the piece, “Student crochets his way out of conjunctivitis,” over the course of a single afternoon. I expected it to be on page six or eight or 11. But there it was when I entered the Deece, sitting pretty on the top of the fold. A picture of Matthew Vassar, wearing the product of my conjunctivitis-induced frenzy.
I don’t really know what I was thinking writing that article or how it got to be breaking news, but I’m sure my Misc-destiny was fated that day. Friends sent me selfies with the cover. My parents were proud (I think). And I had created something out of an embarrassing situation.
I ended up sticking with the Features section, the ones who published that Pulitzer-worthy investigative tour de force. I became an Assistant, and then after dragging my feet for a few semesters, a Features Editor with my friend and housemate Yaksha Gummadapu ’26. We had a blast recruiting writers on the sole power of our vibes alone (and our flashy, flashy emails).
And then in my senior year, alongside a fabulous group graduating today, I became a Senior Editor, and later, Managing Editor. It’s been a sweet gig, editing the whole paper each week and getting a feel for what the entire Misc is doing.
And we do a lot. From News to Games to advice columns and album reviews, my brain becomes soup by the end of an editing weekend. But I’m enjoying that soup. The album reviews become the albums I listen to. The news I read becomes what I talk about in class or at work. The opinion pieces bug me as I’m on the stairmaster or trying to sleep.
The work has changed me. The drama of it all used to take a toll: I’d feel weird spending hours on those damn couches, and I used to get nervous in our big meetings. Then one day, it stopped. I used to struggle with editing—what does this sentence need or how could this piece be stronger? But I’ve learned. Now, I have an opinion swirling in my brain on nearly every sentence I encounter.
And not just Misc sentences. I feel much more able to make judgments about the books I read, the songs I listen to and the op-eds making waves online. Where was this skill in my five person English seminars? Unfortunately, nowhere to be found. But I suddenly have way more to think about when I move through the world. Way more to share. And it makes me so happy.
I’ll limit all my hand-wavey abstractions to this paragraph. What I’ve learned at The Misc, from style tips to life lessons, reminds me of the point of college. To not just prepare for a career, but to prepare for life as a real person. Maybe, even, an adult? An adult with plenty of thoughts, decisions and emotions to make sense of. Who needs time to build up morals and integrity. Who will fail immensely, and, somehow, get over it.
But back to what’s in front of me. I’ve absolutely adored our staff, and my partners in crime on Exec. Alli and I sing our sweet praises constantly, and we will for a long time. I’m always walking through the Deece with her and stanning you all by Sweets or Stocks or Oasis. Your brains and creativity amaze.
Senior year had its ups and downs, but I had so many people I could count on. Yaksha to take me to Stewart’s, or go on her famous walks. Alli to buy flowers with me at My Market, Madeleine to diagnose me as a Carrie/Samantha/Charlotte/Miranda.
The list goes on. I always knew I’d see Kathryn at the library desk at midnight, or chat with Dasha about our music taste (which is exactly the same). I could get introspective and touch grass with Clara, and then listen to hyperpop and mew with Carina. I could rant to my Mom and Dad and the rest of the Jenkins clan, and know they would listen. Thank you guys.
When I got home after a long day, on the bottom floor of our TA that feels like a moist cave for trolls, I could always count on Catherine, too. She’d hear out my latest life-shattering quandary and give me advice. I’d hop onto her princess bed and we’d watch videos of girl groups, hibernating beavers, or this perfect movie with Rachel McAdams called “Red Eye.”
And then of course, the next day, Catherine, Yaksha and I would get Ready Coffee. I could always rely on that too.
With this lineup, what else could a guy need?
In short, I’m proud of all the work the paper has done, and how our community still has such an outlet that is willing to try and try again. As different students come and go. I’ve seen firsthand how much good it can do, how it helps our peers, staff or the larger community; the impact is really something. I know this publication’s in great hands, and am so confident in its future success.
We’re graduating and I feel prepared. And I know I have The Misc to thank.
So cheers to pink eye! And all the good it brings!