Editor’s Farewell
Dear Readers, it seems that somehow, we’ve reached the end of The Congo’s 2022-23 publication year.
No matter how many times I reread that sentence it still has yet to sink in. It honestly feels like only the other week where I was accepting the Editor-in-Chief position – being told strongly that “it’s a crazy job, absolutely mental, but you’re going to be fantastic and love every moment.” Simply speaking, that claim was nothing but an understatement.
This job is somehow beyond crazy. Nothing could have prepared me for just how much is asked of you and the variety of people you suddenly need to become. Thank goodness I had Callie Fedd - the 2021-22 Editor-in-Chief, Centenary living legend, and my absolute rock through this - to keep me afloat. She did her best to make sure I was prepared for what I would be going through. However, she could only do so much. With us reviving The Conglomerate and publishing it for just a semester last year, we both had no idea what a full year of this would look like. And it has certainly been something. There were a lot of things that needed finetuning to make this paper not only more stable, but for it to become a staple among Centenary’s culture again. Callie, plus the wonderful ‘21-22 Editorial Board, was the one to bring back the paper. Now, it was my turn to make sure it was here to stay.
That thought is nothing but absolutely daunting. How was I supposed to make sure nothing happened to this paper, this thing that had become so precious to many of us? I very quickly realized a large part of the answer – to remember I was in no way alone doing this. Being a part of the EB last year was an amazing opportunity. However, to work with and lead the 2022-23 Editorial Board was an absolute privilege. These 10 individuals have been some of the hardest, most dedicated workers I have seen. They gave their all, and then some, to this paper. I was approached with so many new project ideas, article pitches, staff members that wanted to be involved, publication suggestions, etc. It was clear that they all loved what they were contributing to the paper. More importantly though, I was approached with so much trust and support. They felt comfortable sharing their personal opinions on topics when I asked and reached out to me with their own concerns and issues. Whenever things got a bit too much, I was reassured that they would be there in whatever way I needed them. This year was in no way flawless, but all the road bumps we encountered were manageable because I knew I could count on them. They supported my large ideas and were open to making them happen in whatever (legal) way possible.
One of these was with the celebration of The Conglomerate’s 100th anniversary in October. Realizing just how long this paper has been a part of Centenary was a big deal, and I knew it needed to be not just acknowledged, but also celebrated. We were obviously going to do an issue dedicated to The Congo’s history – that was a no brainer. I didn’t want to stop there though. Something like this needed to be published in print, like this paper used to do for so many years. This was a huge idea; the paper had been digital for a few years. There was really no one on the EB that knew how to do a physical paper. We figured it out though. It was tough but we did it. We were able to create something that will be one of my greatest accomplishments and one of my favorite issues we’ve ever done. My EB took my then-outlandish idea and helped me see it through. That paper was not only an achievement for us, but I believe it also solidified The Conglomerate more as a present Student Media.
Since then, the rest of the year went by in a blur. It was suddenly winter break, and we had published our 10th and final issue of the semester. Then, we were doing it all over again. This semester was a little different though; it was Spring, which meant that for many students, it was their final semester at Centenary. With graduation now within sight, many of us had to split our focus in so many directions and somehow stay sane (or at least appear that way). Personally, this semester was a very difficult one. There were too many things that needed my time and focus, and I simply did not have the time nor the mental capacity. The one thing that managed to keep me together though was working on this paper. It became my outlet in so many ways. When I became exhausted with my other involvements, I could not get enough of this one. My friends probably grew expectant of my “I’ll be in the Congo office” and “What are you working on?” “Just Congo things.” I firmly believe that without this outlet, I would have gone insane, or at least been very, very upset.
Despite my close attachment though, I am eager to see it continue to grow next year. I am leaving in 12-sets of the most capable hands, and I know they are going to take this paper even farther. With that, I am very excited to announce the Editorial Board for the 2023-24 publishing year:
Jordan Fong, Editor-in-Chief
Aubrey Salazar, Design Chief
Reece Maguire, Senior Copy Editor
Mary Caruthers, Junior Copy Editor
Mackenzie Newlan, News and Worldview Section Head
Emily Moreno, Sports Section Head
LC Moffitt, Life and Times and Opinion Section Head
Haley Bordelon, Multimedia Section Head
Chrystopher Jackson, Head Photographer
Jacque Deville, Public Relations
Joel Cardenas-Lopez, Business Manager
Arionna Thomas, Media Intern
I could not be prouder of these 12 and their love for The Congo. I will be looking forward to each issue and what you all accomplish. As long as you don’t burn the paper down by October, you’ll do just fine.
To start concluding this long farewell, like with any speech, I would like to thank my own set of very special people. First, to the professors and faculty at Centenary that showed the paper continuous support. We appreciate you expressing belief in not just the paper, but also in the people that made it up.
To the numerous staff members, our writers and producers, thank you for your work. Your involvement truly got this paper through and made this publishing year a fantastic one. You came to us with pitches and sought them through. Thank you for wanting to be a part of this organization and creating content on the regular. Some unique and utterly wonderful pieces have been created this year and that is because of you all. From the very bottom of my heart, thank you.
To Callie Fedd, the absolutely insane woman that trusted me to take over after her. You somehow saw a side of me that I didn’t even know existed. You knew I would succeed (I still have no idea how you had so much faith in me) but were there to listen to every moment of doubt I had. You let me figure things out on my own, with an occasional guiding nudge, and showed me nothing but unending support. You let me, and highly encouraged me to, create a paper that was a representation of myself and the current staff. I am forever grateful for you giving me the opportunity to be apart of something like this, something I definitely didn’t have on my college bingo card. You were right in saying that this job was mental, but also that I was going to love it.
To my Editorial Board, I have no idea where to begin with thanking you all. For my fellow graduating seniors, Kyle, Remi, Cassie, and Alaina, thank you for being so highly involved during a highly stressful time. We were able to share similar experiences that made me feel connected to all of you. We were all more than a little nervous when it came to answering, “what’s next?”, but I have no doubt we will make it memorable. To the new member of staff this year, Emily, Aubrey, Kyle, Alaina, and Cassie, thank you for entering this crazy environment. It takes a specific type of person to willing sign up for this type of stuff. And I could not be happier that you all did. You brought new perspectives to The Congo and went along with odd traditions. I am so glad I was able to meet and build relationships with you. To the members that are returners from last year’s EB, Remi, Haley, Jordan, LC, and Reece, thank you for staying around another year and letting me lead you. If it takes a specific person to sign up, it takes a very special one to stick around. We all went through the process of bringing the paper back, and I believe that shows through our bonds (even if they may be trauma bonds). There is a different type of trust – one that I am grateful for every time I see you. We went through a very tough trial, and it is only right we enjoy the results. I am beyond excited to see what you all do next year as you continue to grow.
To my darling Aubrey – you have been much more than the Design Chief this year. You have become my closest confidant, largest supporter and defender, and greatest pride. With every Congo – related rant that I needed to have, you were there, listening to everything. You reassured me my concerns were more than valid, and I can’t even count the times you offered to mess with someone that was causing me trouble. I know our relationship goes much farther than Congo, but this was where we initially met; I still remember Callie and I essentially telling you the job is so much work and it’s ok to say no and “take some time to think about it,” only for you to respond was a very quick, simple, and eager “Oh, I’m so doing this.” Your plans for growing the physical site are fantastic and I can’t wait to see future developments.
To my dear Jordan Fong. To say that you are going to be a wonderful Editor-in-Chief next year is an understatement. You have always been capable of fulfilling this role. So many of us saw it and believe in you. However, I think that you now believe in yourself. You have become more aware of your skills, your capabilities, your strengths, and just who you are becoming as a person. No one is more deserving of this role than you. Knowing that you will be running things next year has made the goodbye process so much easier. You have a bright mind, a huge heart, a great judge of character, and an unending supply of positivity. Remember that you have a very strong EB behind you; I know many of them are more than ready to back you up (and possibly fight someone) if needed. You are going to bring a different era to this paper, and it will be so refreshing. I am beyond proud that I not only know you but am able to call you a dear friend.
Finally, to our dear readers, thank you for your constant support. With every publication, you have been there, eagerly taking in what we give out. You have expressed your favorite pieces and shared the site with others. We have seen a huge growth in readership this year, and that is largely thanks to you all. We hope that you are looking forward to next year, as it will surely be another great one. From myself, the Editorial Board, and everyone at The Conglomerate, thank you.
It seems that it is finally now time to say farewell to you all. Being The Conglomerate’s 2022-23 Editor-in-Chief was an unbelievable experience, and I am so glad I was able to share it with you all. That very old and very crazy women was correct when saying this job would be insane, but I would love it. It has been an absolute rollercoaster, and I’m pretty sure I have my first gray hair. But it was more than wonderful and worth it. I truly treasured and am forever grateful for each and every second, each and every person I met, each and every memory I made because of it. Thank you all so much for everything.
With Absolute Love (and tears),
Emilie Adams,
Editor-in-Chief, signing off
