It is strange to look back on the past three years and wonder where they all went. It seems like just yesterday that I wandered into The Heights office and asked how to become involved with the paper. Many invoices and Macy*s ads later, I am finally saying goodbye to the family that I have aquired. During my first week on the board, Lauren and I sat in the closet that was the business office and mapped out our
schedules, deciding when we would be able to (wo)man the office. I began to think that I was crazy agreeing to spend all of my free time before, after, and in between class on the phone with
advertisers. This year, I was lucky enough to be in charge of the FLIP program, and it was without a doubt one of my best times at the paper. I love seeing all of the fresh faces eager to become a part of The Heights, and I hope that I did something to help them along with the process. In the end, it was totally a rewarding experience. I have never been surrounded by so many dedicated people, and I hope that some of that rubbed off on me during my time here. The Heights has changed so much in the past three years. The switch to twice-a-week seemed crazy at the time, but is now both accepted and expected. The layout of the newsroom moved around completely, while the business office has a space of its own. The Heights is such a great place right now, and I cannot wait to attend the alumni dinner in ten years to see how the paper will improve even more! With a legacy of incredible talent, there is only one place for this paper to go, and that is forward.
I feel that walking onto the board is like walking into a sea of insta-friends. Everyone is here to help or listen whenever the need arises. I love running into everyone outside of the office and being able to see a familiar face and say hello. I hope that all of the friends I made will continue to wave and shout as we pass through the Dustbowl. After everything, my last night on The Heights was truly one of the greatest
experiences. Looking around the room at all of the faces that I have come to know and hearing exactly how they will remember me is one of those memories that will last forever. Each and every one of you has made an imprint on my time at Boston College, and for that I love you all.
Hey, I lasted longer than Asian Wings!
Steven - You are the reason why I started working for The Heights. I love that we were able to stay close after all this time. I missed you a lot this year, but I am so happy that you made the decision to go abroad. Thank you for all of your support and your friendship. SAM club forever.
Vicky - I think that the main reason that I remained on the board for a third year was because of the friends that I made through The Heights. I was sad when you left the board in the spring, but I still love you. You do so much around campus, and I am so happy that I was able to meet you through the paper.
Ryan - I love that you still call me 'boss' even though I have not been your boss for over a year, but I do think that we had a great time in the advertising office. You were so great at designing advertisements and handling phone calls from mean advertisers. I am so happy that I was able to know you in the context of both working together, but also being a friend - you know me really well. You are so good at graphics, keep up the great work!
Lauren - It has been such a long time. You are one of the most organized, determined, and dedicated people that I have met. It was obvious from freshman year when you took up the role of advertising manager and then moved through the business office tackling all of the important managerial roles that you will be going places. And I am happy that we had time to work in different areas because I agree that it made us better friends. Crimps!
Kim - I wish that you had joined the board earlier, because I have really enjoyed seeing you around the
office and wandering around in Salem. You are so unique and smart and you did an amazing job in the ads office this year. I hope that we can continue to hang out and remain friends this spring.
Nick - We have been on the board together for so long, but I really feel that we did not start becoming friends until the end of last year. I still remember meeting you at my first sports photography 'lesson' from Todd, and it is so funny to see where we all are three years later. Get excited for Iggie Beach! I have to keep the family tradition alive. You are a great guy, stay real.
Pilar - You are so smart. You know what you have to do and you just do it. Thank you for being a great friend this past year - I enjoyed our gossip sessions and hanging out at Heights events. You are going to be such an amazing editor-in-chief, and I think that you know that. You have so much dedication for the paper, and you also have the self-confidence and
determination to do a great job.
Erika - You are such a sweet girl. I think that it is
awesome that you came over to the business side this year, and you rocked it. I think that you had a tough decision trying to decide whether to stay at The Heights for this year, and I think that you made the right choice by deciding to dedicate your efforts to your floor. I am also really happy that you changed your mind and decided to attend cry night, because it wouldn't have been the same without you there!
Pat Irish - I can still remember your election speech from when you first ran for A&R your freshman year. You are so genuine and down to earth, and this all showed through from my very first impression of you. I am so excited that you are taking over OC because I think that you will do such an amazing job mentoring the freshman next year you are a great role model for them.
Struzzi - I can remember the first day that you came into the office when I was advertising manager and you were just so cocky. I thought, "great, he is going to be a fun staffer." But in reality, you did such a great job, and I am so impressed with your work as advertising manager this year. In your words, you shattered my record. I hope that even though you are leaving the board, you will continue to be a part of The Heights.
Joe - You are so sweet and creative and funny. You are going to do such a great job next year as the A&R editor. Thank you for listening to me when you barely knew me, you are a great insta-friend. I am excited for next semester when we go to Dance Complex!
Jeff - The office celebrity! I hope that you pursue your dreams of going into sports PR and I think that your Heights experience will definitely lead you in the right direction. Good luck next year!
Fouhy - I was really impressed with your leadership this year. I know that we have had our differences, but in the end we are both from NA, so we are basically family. Pizza rolls dom.
Neil - I first met you freshman year when I came over with Reid for the Red Sox game. Three years and two World Series won by the Sox later, we are still friends. I am so happy that you were on the board this year!!
Stuart - Thank you for coming into the office and saying that you really liked what I was doing with the program and then sent me a follow-up e-mail about it-that really meant a lot. I hope that you continue to write, and that you find something else on campus to which you can really dedicate yourself.
Tue - Thank you so much for helping with my page and being awesome!
Alexi - You are so great. You are always around the office and happy and in a good mood and I think that, as the news editor, you will definitely be a great staple for the office. Good luck with your section it is going to be awesome!!
Lisa - I hope that Amsterdam is amazing! I cannot wait to see photos of orange day! The Heights will miss you, but The Netherlands will love you!
Phil - You are so great with all of your OL and RA duties. I hope that you are able to put your full effort toward that this year!
Kyle, Madeline and MKP - The business side dream team. With you three running the business side next year, I am sure that you will exceed all expectations. You are all devoted to the paper, and I know that you are totally capable of going above and beyond in both sales and collections. Good luck with everything!!
Jackie, Alex and Chris - The year and a halfers. Thank you all so much for jumping onto the paper when we needed you most. Picking up the slack mid-way through a board is really tough to do and you all did an excellent job. I hope that you have such a great experience abroad next semester!
Tula and Courtney - I hope that you have an incredible experience with the paper next year. Enjoy your second year, make the most of it!
Grant - I am so excited that you stepped up for Managing Editor. Don't take crap from anyone.
OB - You have such a great personality. Don't let anyone change you.
Ian - You are so dedicated to the paper. I cannot even count the number of times that you slept over at the office or were around to help out in whatever way possible. Way to step up to photo last fall, you are a talented photographer, and I hope that you still have fun with everything this year.
Mooney - You are so focused and determined. Don't lose that!
Paschall - Your dedication shows, as you basically took on two board positions this fall. Thank you.
Becca - I am so happy that you were OC before me. Your timeline basically saved my life because I was never worried that I would forget to do something important regarding the dinner or the FLIPs. You did so much at BC and have so many interests, and I really think that this will help you in the real world!
John Murray - You were the first person that I met in the newsroom. Thank you so much for toting me along in your Volvo, blasting Jimmy Buffet on the way to make cold calls. I had so much fun with you while you were at BC, and I hope that everything stays fantastic for you on Strong Island. See you at Loserpalooza 20? Stick that in your pipe and smoke it.
Jess Mannix - Thank you so much for sucking me into that tiny little advertising office freshman year. I learned so much from you and saw that working for the paper was really something that I wanted to do. You were so good at your job and that definitely influenced me to go through the scary election process in order to join the board.
Kevin Schohl - I can still remember the day that you sat me down on the blue couch and told me that you wanted me to run for assistant advertising and that you would tell me what I needed to know to win.
John Glass - Thank you for being a part of our super fun advertising team last year. Your stories of crazy advertisers, complete with different voices, really made my day. Although many of your friends graduated last year, it is still really great to see you around campus, good luck with everything!
Tom and Dave - I missed seeing your faces around the office this year! You two are awesome and made such a difference on the paper.
Kevin Armstrong - Thank you so much for helping me out with the newsletter and for coming to speak with the FLIPs. You're a great role model.
Briana - My FLIPette! You did such a great job this fall, and I am so excited that you are going to continue to work on The Heights throughout the year! Lunch dates for sure next semester!
FLIPs - I had such a great time getting to know all of you, and I cannot wait to see the final product of your special projects printed in the spring. For the seven of you who are now on the board, I am so proud of all of the hard work that you have already dedicated to the paper this fall, and I think that you will do an amazing job this year!
To my beautiful and kickass roommates - Thank you for all of your support since I joined The Heights, especially last St. Patrick's day when we spent hours on end watching You Drive Me Crazy (twice) and poking the connectors through the Alumni Newsletter and the dinner invitations. I am sorry that your fingers are still bleeding! I know that I have not been around much this semester, but I will definitely make more of an effort in the spring! You girls are my rocks and I love you all.
Mom and Dad - Thank you for listening to me when I complain about all things Heights. Mom, you always go though the paper both online and then when it comes in the mail, and I know that you read every article and advertisement. Thank you both so much for everything. I love you.
Marisa - Now that I don't have The Heights I'll come visit you in CO!! Miss you and love you!
Nana and Papa - I know that you receive the paper and read it, too! Here is my shout out for you! Love you both! PS, Nana, duhhhh.
Mariel Rodriguez-McGill is a member of the Heights
Senior Staff. She can be reached at peaceout@bcheights.com.
2008 Woodie Awards
