Zach Henson It’s hard to believe it has been three years since my first class at Troy and it’s time for me to graduate and move on to my next phase in life. As I reflect on these three years, classes and teachers have come and gone, but the Trop has remained and will forever be engrained in me. When I first sat down with Professor Stewart, my academic adviser, he challenged me to garner as much experience from college as possible and encouraged me to join the Trop. I still remember my first story, a 300-word news article announcing a $2,000 grant from Enterprise Rent-a-Car to Troy for Troops. I was nervous and had little idea of what I was doing. Since then, it’s been a wild ride rush and three years have flown by. I’ve moved from being a staff writer to assistant news editor to editor-in-chief, which has been most meaningful to me. Not only did I find a team willing to work, but willing to work together and build relationships with each other. I never expected all of this, but, at every step, countless people were there to support me, and I shall remain ever-thankful to them for their support and encouragement. Professor Stewart, may you enjoy your retirement, thank you for your tireless devotion to me and the Trop. Thank you, “Coach” Robbyn Taylor for your immediate energy and ideas. Thank you, Tori Bedsole and Lilly Casalaro for your mentorship as I blossomed into a young writer. Thank you to my team, for all of your hard work and dedication. To Prad Sharma, my successor, I know your new position will suit you. May it provide as much experience and wisdom to you as it has to me. To Emma Daniel, you know my heart lies in the news; may you remain unbiased and keep your journalistic integrity in a world so heavily slanted. Continue to show others that true journalism still exists. To so many others — Dean Reeves, Chief McCall, Matt Clower, Clif Lusk, Chancellor Hawkins, Mayor Reeves, Dr. Spurlock and everyone else who has ever taken the time to help me find information for a story — I cannot thank you enough for all the help you have given me and the lessons you have taught me. I leave Troy owing it a debt I fear I shall never repay but will proudly carry with me through my career and beyond. Thank you, Troy.
Staff Writer
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