Swan Song: Courtney Lyons

McElroy 113: A little-known place where we can get together...

I thought that after having endured two years of 15-hour productions twice a week, I would be ready to leave The Heights. On the nights when the pages were piled up on my desk, a certain editor was breathing down my neck, and I had a paper due the next day, it seemed like the end of my term would never arrive. I couldn't wait to hand off my final page and end my responsibilities to the newspaper that had taken so much of my time, sleep, and GPA.

On my last production night as copy editor, the pages were waiting, the editors were nagging, and the deadline for my paper was looming; but I found myself clinging to my red pen and holding onto the last page for as long as possible.

I can't explain it; nor can I explain many things that happen at The Heights. I can't explain why after production ends, the few editors remaining at 3 a.m. often can't bring themselves to leave the office. I can't explain why spontaneous dance parties erupt in the middle of production and nobody seems to have a problem with it. I also can't explain why a group of over 30 people who can often get on each other's nerves working in such close quarters for outrageous hours and no pay keep coming back, never losing their dedication or their sanity.

The Heights has introduced me to some of the most intelligent, interesting, and driven people at Boston College. I have formed some of the closest bonds with people I probably would have never even known if it weren't for this newspaper. The friendships formed within 113 McElroy are of a special kind. There is no other place quite like The Heights office, where 37 people put everything on hold to produce something truly remarkable twice a week. The stress of the task clearly takes its toll, but it also brings people together like nothing else can.

Every member of the board, especially the special bunch in the copy corner of the office, made 15 hours of reading copy something to look forward to. I don't know how it is possible to enjoy an all-nighter in Bapst directly after production, but you guys found a way to make that happen. Trish, Zach, Blair, and anyone who joined in on our fun on the copy couch, you made this experience everything that it was. I love you guys and am so incredibly thankful that we found each other on The Heights and formed bonds that I hope will last long after we graduate. Thanks for a great year and I look forward to many more incredible times together. You made it all worth it.

Trish: I can't begin to tell you how glad I am that you were part of the copy team this year. You are one of the most hilarious, intelligent, and generally awesome people I know. You made the long productions fly by, and made me look forward to going to the office every Wednesday and Sunday. Without you I would never have made it through the long productions and frequent all-nighters, nor would I have made it through marathon training. I love you so much and am so unbelievably glad that The Heights brought us together.

Zach: William Wielgus, you better keep the copy legacy alive, even if you're in sports now. You don't know how much I depended on you this year, and you never let me down. During my "cut my life into pieces" moments you found a way to calm me down and make me laugh through whatever I was freaking out about. You're a great copy editor and you're so articulate - which we needed in copy to balance out Trish's and my lack of public speaking skills. I can't imagine how this year would have been without you. I will miss you more than you know next semester. Thanks for everything.

Jackie: You taught me so much about copy, and about life. It is because of you that I remained in copy for a second year, when many people may question why anyone would choose to stay in such a thankless position. You made it fun and you helped me to see the importance of the job and the ability that we have as copy editors to positively influence the quality of the paper. I missed you so much at copy this year.

Tula: Your organizational skills never cease to amaze me. You are the complete opposite of me, and I truly admire you for that. You are so great at what you do, and you made Features one of my favorite sections to read. Good luck with everything next semester; I know you are going to do great things.

Blair: I'm glad our Girls Night bonding made us inseparable. I can't imagine a production without your '90s playlist or a night without you being there till the bitter end (even when you could have left hours ago). You're fun and hilarious and your pop-culture knowledge is quite impressive. I'm going to miss you so much! We better find a way to stay in touch next semester and beyond because you are one of my favorite people.

Tue: My Banana shopping buddy, pooh bear, and Sex and the City date, I will miss you so much next semester. Don't worry, we will skype for our "cut my life into pieces" conversations. It's not easy always being cheerful, but you do a great job of it.

Juicy: FLIP, EHMC, DPs: there are just too many acronyms that define our relationship. I have loved spending as much time as I did with you outside of the office because you are so much fun.

Michelle: You're so awesome and I loved getting to work with you and struggle through Vietnam papers with you. It's been a great year.

Alexi: Your dedication to The Heights is so impressive; you did so many amazing things with your staff and with the quality of the news section. I have loved getting to work with you for the past two years and I truly admire everything you have done for the paper. You are going to make an amazing EIC. Good luck!

Jess: We have many similar interests (12, 2, 94), and I have absolutely loved having you in the office just to hear what you had to say about Boston sports teams. I loved your enthusiasm about sports and truly enjoyed all of your columns. You are an amazing writer and such an interesting person to talk to. I really hope we can keep in touch.