Dear Mount Community,
We did it! We got through a full academic school year during a global pandemic. Now that is something that no student, professor, faculty member, staff member or administrator has ever experienced in their lifetime here at the Mount. This new reality is something that is unimaginable and still feels so surreal to us all. We all should be Mount Proud of each other. Although this year was a different year for us all and what we had hoped for, I am forever blessed that we got the opportunity to be back on campus.
The Mountain Echo, like many other things, looked a little different this year. In years past, The Mountain Echo published physical copies of the newspaper and digitally on its website every two weeks. However, this was the first academic year that we did not print physical copies of the newspaper. We could only upload and publish online. Although members of our Mount community were here on campus, we also had those who were remote, so it was great that The Mountain Echo could still be accessible to everyone.
The global pandemic was not the only challenge The Mountain Echo editorial team had to face this year. The first week back on campus this semester, our website was hacked and was dysfunctional. Fellow editor, Emmy Jansen (C’23), stepped up to the plate and assisted me on a Friday afternoon in the Mount Café and revamped and created the new website.
Despite the challenges we faced along the way, Dr. Kumar, the editorial staff, the writers, the photographers and I learned to adapt. The Mountain Echo would not be where it is today without all the hard work, determination, persistence and patience from everyone. We not only conquered a mountain, but we moved some mountains along the way.
If I were to have told my scared, freshman self that I would fall in love with writing one day, I would not believe myself. For a person who used to dread writing and editing, I have come a long way and have gone out of my comfort zone more than ever before. If it was not for former Managing Editor, Emma Krusz, to convince me one day in Public Speaking class in spring 2019 to join The Mountain Echo as a writer, I would not be where I am today. If it wasn’t for Krusz to later on push me and then tell me I was going to be the new Managing Editor for the 2020-2021 academic school year, I would not be where I am today either. Throughout my four years here at the Mount, I have grown on a personal and professional level. I have got out of my comfort zone and sought extraordinary opportunities that have made me who I am.
I would like to take the time to thank Dr. Kumar for advising me and for pushing me through this process to become an even better version of myself as an editor and as a student over the past four years. Thank you for being patient with us all and for being committed to this. I appreciate all that you have done.
Also, shout out to my stellar editorial staff: Megan McNulty (C’21), Emmy Jansen (C’23), Sam Barber (C’22) , Emma Weinheimer (C’22) and Paige Moseley (C’22). You all came in here not knowing me and with having barely any training. I am blessed to have got the opportunity to learn and grow with each one of you not only as editors but as close friends. Thank you for always supporting and believing in me. I will miss you all dearly.
Next year, Paige Moseley (C’22) will be continuing as the Photography Editor, along with a new editorial staff. I would like to congratulate Natalie Solano (C’22) who will be the next Managing Editor, Erin O’Donnell (C’23) who will be the next News Editor, Joanna Kreke (C’22) who will be the next Community Editor and Gavin Hamrick (C’24) who will be the next Opinion/Life Editor. I commend these individuals for taking on these leadership roles for the 2021-2022 school year. I have complete confidence in this group. I look forward to reading The Mountain Echo this fall and for years to come as a proud alumnus.
So with all that being said, “So long, farwell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye...” to The Mountain Echo. Thank you for everything that you have given me which I will treasure forever in my memories.
Sincerely,
Amelia Kline (C’21), Managing Editor
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
