I hope that everyone’s first month of school went smoothly! We’re just about finishing the first wave of exams, so we can all relax soon, and I can finally sit down to write.

Even though I’m just beginning my junior year, I’m feeling the over-involvement burnout like never before. Juggling Honors research, two campus jobs, the regular general management course load, various leadership positions, and personal relationships is definitely rough. Just this week, there was a rodent’s nest in the hood of my car and my suspension gave out on me. College is insane, but the memories that come from it are beyond rewarding.

This summer, I learned that even though I have an empty spot in my Google Calendar, that does not mean that I need to fill it. I’ve learned the importance of budgeting my time in addition to budgeting my money. People always say that time is money, and for some reason, I forgot about that. Just something to ponder as you continue throughout your day-to-day life.

About Me

I began writing for The Vanguard in my first semester of freshman year, and I loved every second of it. Going to events, writing about them, getting engagement points during the process, and then seeing my work get published was surreal. It reminded me that I’m never confined to one department, one organization, or one hobby. Though I’m not a Communications major, I am confident in my ability to lead this newspaper staff with diligence and honesty.

My older sister was also a writer for The Vanguard during her time at South, around 2010 when the paper was still printed, so I feel a warm and fuzzy sense of nostalgia. How’s that for full-circle?

To flex my credentials, I was one of thirteen students named as an All-Mississippi Student Journalist in 2021 by the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association. At the university level, I was named the “Jag Media Rookie of the Year” in 2022, and I served as Managing Editor of The Vanguard during the 2022-2023 school year. I’m ecstatic to continue this journey as both a writer and a leader, and I can’t wait to serve our campus community in a different way.

Looking Ahead

Thank you for supporting The Vanguard, South Alabama’s student-produced newspaper. This year, we’re looking into printing our newspaper once again, reviving the integrity of the newspaper industry and bringing our work to you in person rather than online.

Until then, happy reading!