THE ONE AND ONLY KRIS HARRELL:
‘WE’VE ALL GOT A STORY TO TELL’
Kris Harrell
Trojan Living Editor
Throughout all of my time here at Troy University, I’ve leaned on The Tropolitan for support, love and an outlet to share my writing with the student body. Now, it’s finally time for me to stand on my own two feet.
I think I’ve wanted to be a journalist all my life, if my hazy memories from before I was 10 have anything to say about it.
From a young age, I wrote interview questions to Santa, asking about his favorite parts of Christmas and asking what the reindeer’s’ favorite snacks were. When I got my first phone, I took my two favorite stuffed animals at the time and held a play-pretend newscast with them (yes, I’ve looked everywhere for any videos to no avail).
All of that to say, I had an unnatural love for journalism before I even knew what the word meant.
When I first came to Troy University in 2021 to finally study journalism, I was a scared freshman who struggled to do their first Tropolitan interview alone.
Since then, the Tropolitan has been an outlet for me not only to learn about what I will be doing for the rest of my life, but to finally tell people’s stories to a wider audience. My confidence has grown not only in my work, but in myself as well.
I became the Trojan Living Editor after a recommendation from the at-the-time editor Andrea Hammack. I’ve always had a love for theatre and the arts, and I delved into my new position head-on.
When I started as editor, the Say What column was a full page; there were no horoscopes, pet of the week, or interactive corner. I’ve interviewed actors and crew members who have worked on shows thousands of people have seen and directors who have gone on to win awards at film festivals.
Everything I have been able to do in my college career, I have The Tropolitan to thank. For my drive and perseverance, for my experience and for the friends I’ve been able to make.
To Emily Mosier, Kathryn Clark, Caleb Thomas and Ansley Miller: I will always love our office time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for the paper. Y’all have been an awesome staff to work with, and I know that this next semester will be even better than the last. Pour out a Cheerwine from cookout for me when y'all go next semester.
To my section writers: When I first applied for the Trojan Living Editor position, I was so scared about how I was to lead. You guys make it so easy, and I couldn’t have asked for better writers.
To Dr. Taylor, Dr. East and Professor Cooper: Thank you for being my supervisor(s) at the Tropolitan for the past three and a half years. Y’all have helped me grow so much, I could never repay the kindness you’ve shown me and the education you’ve given me (despite what my student loans will say).
Finally, to everyone I may have interviewed in the past: Thank you for letting me tell your story. The one thing I’ll always remember is that we all have a story to tell. You tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine.
MACKENZIE SAYS FAREWELL
Mackenzie Foster
Lead News Writer
When I took my first steps onto Troy University’s campus, I felt invincible and like I had all the time in the world to be a careless college student. Man, I was so wrong.
This is a cliché, but I feel like I was an eager freshman moving into Trojan Village 100 just yesterday. Now, I’m thinking about my final exams and wondering how I’m going to pack up all my memories from the past few years.
It’s a really sad feeling to know that something you adore so much is coming to an end. My time with the campus student publications is what makes looking back on my time here, in Trojan Territory, so sad to say goodbye to.
TROY Trojanvision News and The Tropolitan were the places on campus that made me feel like a Trojan. They made me the person who I’m proud to be.
These two pieces of student media turned a shy, quiet girl who wanted nothing to do with being the center of attention into an outgoing, loud and confident woman who can’t be brought down by the simplest of things.
Some people never get the chance to experience beautiful and meaningful friendships and relationships in places far from home, but Trojanvision and Trop allowed me to do just that for almost four years.
Not only that, but student publications allowed me to be in rooms and meet people who I would never have been able to connect with otherwise.
The experience I have gotten as a student journalist at Troy University is astronomical compared to the thousands of other student journalists out there who barely get the opportunity to be on live television.
I’d like to take the time to thank the people who have gotten me to where I am, professionally and personally.
A massive thank you to Paige Ray, Aaron Taylor, Jeff Herring and Kyle Bozeman for being the best mentors, myself and many other students, could ever have. Y’all are the best, and I’m glad other students will get to experience your wisdom and guidance.
Another massive thank you to Hanna Cooper for always encouraging a girl who limited herself to being a broadcast girl to becoming a print girl as well. I couldn’t give you enough boba to thank you enough for that.
Thank you to Dr. East for being the professor who told me about TrojanvVsion’s first day of school interest meeting and, later in the day, walked me to Aaron’s office. That small act led to the best outcome a girl like me could have wished for.
Thank you to every single professor in the Hall School of Journalism and Communication, even the ones I haven’t gotten the pleasure to take a class with.
Every single one of you contributes to the place I have called home for almost four years, and it’s nothing short of amazing.
I hope you continue to do the same for the thousands of other students after me.
Thank you to all the friends I have made while being in student media. We’ve had a lot of smiles, laughs, rants and tears, but every single moment was worth it. I love y’all with all my heart and I know y’all will continue to exemplify why Troy University makes the best journalists.
Last, but not least, thank you to my family for the constant support you all have given me. Walking through Wallace Hall’s doors wouldn’t have been possible without you guys. I love y’all the most.
These past few years have been the best experience and if I could do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat. I’m extremely grateful for everything my college has done for me, to me and with me.
Thank you for accepting me as a shy, timid girl who would sit in the hallways of buildings around campus and read in a chair. Thank you for accepting me as a loud, confident female journalist that is ready to take the industry by its horns and become successful.
I never would have gotten here without all the people, lessons and memories. The city of Troy and the university will forever have a place in my heart. Like always, go Trojans!
RYLEE BAMBERGER, SPORTS SECTION EXTRAORDINAIRE
Rylee Bamberger
Staff Writer, Former Sports Editor
If you would have told 15-year-old me that I would be writing a farewell to my university’s newspaper, I would have laughed in your face. I never thought I would be in the position I am today.
Growing up, I always avoided the news. I never stayed up late enough to watch the nightly shows, and I wanted to spend my mornings watching Kickin’ It on Disney XD instead of the local news station. I only used newspapers for coupons.
However, I have always had the ESPN app downloaded on my phone, and I would read different sports stories throughout the day. I was obsessed with learning random nuggets of information and reading interesting stories about the superhumans I watched the night before.
When I came to Troy, my plan was to get a business degree and work in real estate or some other miserable office space. I found myself zoning out of my general education lectures and writing random sports stories that nobody would ever read.
Or, so I thought.
My resident assistant told me that he was the sports editor for The Trop. I have no idea how Tanner Colvin got that position, but I am extremely thankful that he did.
Tanner read my stories and told me that I should join his staff because he liked my work. So, I switched my major, and I started volunteering for our beloved paper.
If I am being honest with you, I am surprised that I was able to keep my job. For a year and a half all my stories were formatted like a press release, and they sounded so robotic that you would think that they were written by Sports Illustrated’s AI-Generated reporters.
When Hanna Cooper came to Troy, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I had someone to teach me how to write stories, not recaps. Hanna helped me rebuild my confidence and gave me several opportunities to progress in my career.
From becoming the sports editor to the secondary contact for our university’s softball team, none of it would have been possible without Professor Cooper.
I remember freshman year someone said to me, “Your entire personality is sports.” Without sports, I would not be where I am today.
Over the last three and a half years, I got to cover some crazy things. I was able to share so many athletes’ stories; I got to stand next to larger-than-life figures; but most importantly, I met so many amazing people and made some connections that my younger self only dreamed of.
I want to say thank you to Emily Mosier, the editor-in-chief for as long as I can remember, Dr. Stefanie East, Professor Cooper, Tanner Colvin, every single writer who has been a part of the sports section since I started and Robert Edison Stevens III.
The memories and relationships I made in the Trop’s office will stay with me for the rest of my life. I will always be grateful for the opportunities this paper has given me.
CAMILLE CONEY, SIGNING OUT
Camille Coney
Staff Writer
As I look back over the last few years of my life, my heart is filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and a bittersweet mix of emotions.
I must start first and foremost by giving honor where honor is due and that is to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank You Lord for allowing me to meet the beautiful souls I've met on this journey. Thank you for leading me, keeping me, showing me your favor and giving me a future. I will forever be grateful.
To my Tropolitan family, as I prepare to close this chapter of my life and step into new opportunities, I want to thank every one of you for playing such an important part in my journey. You all have helped me grow into a well-balanced and ethical journalist, and for that, I’m thankful. When I say you all are like family, I truly mean that. We have been through so much together and made so many wonderful memories that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. Although it is tough to say goodbye, this is not the end of our friendships. Let's promise to keep in touch and create memories outside of The Trop.
To my Tropolitan readers, thank you for inviting me into your hearts and your homes. I hope that over the years I've written something that made your heart smile and your soul laugh. Thank you for being a listening eye! Lol!! It has been an honor to inform, enlighten and entertain you.
As my time is drawing near, my emotions are extremely high. I find myself thinking a lot about all the people I will miss, all the assignments that kept me up late into the night to complete them (mostly because of my procrastination), and all the times I have cheered on our Trojans with my friends. For those reasons and so many more, this is a bittersweet moment for me.
Although I don't know exactly what all the future holds for me, I am excited to embark on new terrain, broaden my horizon, learn, grow and excel in this thing called life. I know that with God, my family, my degree in broadcast journalism and all my experiences through the years, it gives me such a great foundation to build upon. I can’t wait to take all the valuable skills and lessons I’ve developed over time working for the Trop and turn them into something great.
With all that being said, I won't say goodbye. I'll just say see you later.
Sincerely,
Camille Coney