Once A VALLEY Girl, Always A VALLEY Girl

To think, three years ago I was sitting in my first ever VALLEY meeting, terrified to pitch in front of everyone. 

“What if I say something so stupid?” I thought. “Her idea was really good, mine are awful compared to that,” I convinced myself. But when my name was called to share, I just went for it, and just like that … my very first article was selected. I still remember sitting at the kitchen table in my sophomore year apartment and making all my roommates read over my piece before sending it to the editor. Again, I convinced myself they would hate it. They would read it over and question why they brought me onto the team in the first place. 

A week later, my article got published and was the Editor’s pick of the week. Although I didn’t know it at the time, my fate in VALLEY was sealed. I’d dedicate the next three years of my life to giving everything I had to this publication. 

Finally Finding Myself

The confidence I so greatly lacked at the time would gradually build up inside me through the support system that is VALLEY Mag. With each week, I became surer of my pitches and the articles I was producing. The nerves I felt walking to the first meeting turned into excitement for the next Monday night. Little by little, I began to find myself in VALLEY.

I became the Beauty & Health section editor in my second semester on staff. This role introduced me to the world of editing. It was kismet. After a year, I knew I wanted to strive for more. In the spring of my junior year, I became managing editor under the utterly talented Natalie Untch. The thing about VALLEY is that there are always people to look up to. Every editor-in-chief I worked under was an inspiration to me. So, when given the opportunity to work under an inspiration, I instantly became a sponge for her knowledge, constantly absorbing anything I could. 

When it was my time to serve as editor-in-chief, I was over-the-moon excited. My main goal was to make everyone fall even more in love with writing. If everyone on staff my semester felt at least half the magic of VALLEY that the previous EIC’s created, then I did my job. As I look back now, every moment felt magical to me, so I can only hope others felt the same. 

To The People, To The Place

VALLEY has given me so much more than just a point on my resume. It became a home at a school that can feel as big as an ocean. It harnessed the sails and let me conquer not only the waves it created, but the storms that college brings. Naturally, four years are not perfect — it’s never going to be smooth sailing the whole way through, but with the confidence and skills VALLEY gave me, I know now that I can face any sea. 

The people I met through VALLEY and the work I’ve produced have all stolen a piece of my heart. I leave knowing their pieces remain with them, and that their memories are replaced within mine. I am a better writer, editor, leader and friend because of VALLEY Magazine, and I am eternally grateful to have left a tiny ripple in the waves this publication has created. 

With that, I give my last piece as a VALLEY writer, though I know I’m a VALLEY girl for life. <3

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