During my time as sports editor, both basketball teams made the Final Four in the same season, and I helped make a paper that thousands of students lined up for. I traveled to Arizona to cover the historic and unexpected run, interviewed some of the best athletes and coaches in college sports, sat in the press box alongside writers I admired and had a front row seat to some of the greatest moments in NC State athletics’ history — like men’s basketball overtime win over Oakland in the NCAA Tournament (shoutout Jack Gohlke).

But as incredible as those moments were, they were just cool things I got to do.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to do all of that. My 15-year-old self would’ve lost his mind if he was told that’s what college would look like. But when I talk about my time at Technician, those won’t be the first stories I tell.

It’ll be about the people.

Yeah, I get it, that sounds corny and like an empty platitude, but I truly mean it. And I’ll admit when I first joined Technician my freshman year, I did only care about the games I was covering and the stories I was writing. But as I built relationships with other writers and joined the editorial staff, I realized that covering games was just a cool part of the job — not the heart of it.

I walked up the steps at Witherspoon Student Center with a smile on my face, not because I was picking up a press pass to go to a game or because I had a story going into print but because I was about to spend about the next seven hours with people I genuinely loved being around.

Y’all became my family. You were the reason why print nights were always the highlight of my week. No matter how tough the day had been or how stressed I was trying to balance classes and work, my heart was full those nights because of the love I had for everyone in the office.

Technician taught me what really matters. Sure, the recognition and bylines were nice. But in the end, it’s about the relationships you build. The impact you have on each other’s lives.

With that in mind, I want to say thank you to the people who made Technician what it was for me — who made every late night worth it, who challenged me, supported me and made me laugh when I needed it most.

To Nicole, you’ve become my best and closest friend. Shout out to Isaac for recruiting you to video and encouraging you to apply for an editor role. Thank you for bugging me to go to the gym with you and making the effort to build a friendship with me. I’ve learned so much from you — about leadership, compassion and showing up for people. God knew exactly when we needed each other in our lives. We’ve grown so close, so quickly, and I realize how special our relationship is. And if it weren’t for Technician, I would’ve never met you. I love you.

To Kate, Ethan and Justin, thank you for the unwavering faith and trust y’all had in me to lead the sports section. Y’all gave me the freedom to be creative, the space to try new things and so much support. I never felt held back — only pushed forward. And if it weren’t for Technician, I would have never been able to express my creativity in such a way. I love y’all.

Special shoutout to the E in KEJ. Ethan, you became one of my first mentors. I learned so much from listening to you, reading your work and watching how you carried yourself. Anytime you complimented my writing, it meant the world because I looked up to you. When I took over as sports editor in the middle of Vol. 104, you were so patient and made sure I felt comfortable. And if it weren’t for Technician, I would have never gotten to learn from someone like you. I love you.

To Aidan and VDM, I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished with the sports section and the standard we set. Thank you for having tough conversations with me and saying what needed to be said — it made us a better team. More than that, thank y’all for being there for me, not just as coworkers but as friends. Y’all were there for me when I was making one of the hardest decisions in my life, and you made me feel seen and supported. And if it weren’t for Technician, we wouldn’t have become so close. I love y’all.

To Noah, Erin and Jenna, we all joined the sports section at the same time, and we’ll always be connected because of that. Y’all made the section fun, welcoming and easy to grow in. Special shoutout to Jenna for giving up the sports editor role a month and a half before the dual Final Four runs that allowed me to take over.

Thank you Noah and Erin, for welcoming me in as the sports editor in the middle of the volume and helping me navigate those waters. Noah, our trips to Pittsburgh and Arizona to cover the men’s run to the Final Four along with Hallie and Rimolt are some of the best memories I’ll take with me. I loved every second working with you. And if it weren’t for Technician, I wouldn’t have been able to build those bonds with y’all. I love y’all.

Cate and Rimolt, thank y’all for always answering my texts about if we had photos for events. Photos elevate everything, and your work made ours better. Rimolt, I’ll miss our Tuesday night hugs and laughing about the Penguins blowing it again. Cate, I’ve loved getting to know you more this year, and I’m so proud of you for doing the Krispy Kreme Challenge a year after spraining your ankle. And if it weren’t for Technician, I wouldn’t have gotten to know y’all. I love you guys.

Jakob and Lucy, I’m not sure how y’all tolerated the sports section chaos every Tuesday night — though, Jakob, you were most certainly a part of the tomfoolery. But seriously, I appreciate every conversation we had with each other and the relationships we built. And if it weren’t for Technician, I would’ve never gotten the chance to become friends with y’all. I love y’all.

To the entire sports section, it’s been my greatest honor to lead this group. Watching y’all grow as writers and people has been my favorite part of the job. I’ve learned that while I may not pursue a career in sports journalism, what I do love is leading and making a difference in people’s lives. I hope I’ve made a positive impact on your lives. And if it weren’t for Technician, I would’ve never been able to lead such a great group of people. I love y’all.

If I didn’t mention you by name, it doesn’t mean I don’t love you. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole barrel, and our group didn’t have a single one.

To everyone stepping into Vol. 106 — you’re about to experience something incredibly special. Skye and Nicole form an incredible duo, and I’m genuinely jealous of everyone who gets to be part of what’s ahead. I will be cheering you on from wherever life takes me next.

I’m definitely sad my time here is over, but I’m not leaving with a hollow heart. I’m leaving full. Full of gratitude, full of memories and full of love for the people I met and the relationships that will stay with me the rest of my life.

And if it weren’t for Technician, none of it would’ve happened.