Every editor should come into this position with one main concern — the reader. Every decision that he or she makes revolves around how readers will take it, what readers want to see and what the staff owes to its readership.

So when my viewpoint editor asked me if I was going to write a farewell column, I hesitated. Do readers really care? But after much insistence from several staff members, I decided this would be a good chance to review important events from this year with you.

Sitting at my desk (covered in silly string at the moment after a fun last night of official production), writing my last column as editor-in-chief, is definitely a weird feeling. I have a mix of emotions running through me all at once.

But there is one emotion that I’m definitely not feeling — regret.

Sure, we made some mistakes this year. But we’ve learned from those mistakes and we’ve also accomplished a lot of really awesome things.

The staff dealt with several controversial issues this year and handled them well — whether it was the Free Expression Tunnel Incident Nov. 5, Playboy coming to campus or dealing with the aftermath of the cartoon of Volleyball Coach Charita Stubbs.

Everyone may not have agreed with our decisions, but at the end of the day, we did what we thought was best for you, the reader, — holding people accountable, letting people from all sides voice their opinions and giving you the full picture.

I didn’t accomplish everything I wanted to this year, but if you don’t start out ambitious with goals that may not necessarily come to fruition right away, then the paper will never improve.

Our interactive Web content has increased dramatically this year and we even conducted our own mock election — check it all out for yourself at technicianonline.com.

We’ve expanded our coverage, especially with the different sub-sections each day in Features. This semester’s bi-monthly Focused section was a success, with reporting on issues important to the student body and attracting different viewpoints.

And I will never forget election night. The office was full of people who contributed in some way to the Nov. 5 edition. Boxes across campus were completely emptied of that issue.

As next year’s staff comes into office today, continue to hold them to these standards, but also expect some great things.

But I can’t finish this column without giving credit where credit is due.  It’s difficult to list every single person who has made this year worth it. The crazy amount of stress and work from 55-plus hour weeks wouldn’t have been bearable if it weren’t for all of my staff, whether it was Taylor Auten walking in, asking when I would stop being so ambitious and just give in and drink (because he knows I don’t), or Lauren’s endless supply of Dr. Pepper and sarcastic jokes that are her way of showing she cares, or Alison’s great ideas to bring the staff together and give hugs to everyone who she thought needed them, or even Matt and Dreier’s crazy photoshoots. Then there’s Derek, who basically saved me from collapsing by taking on the role of managing editor.

And I can’t forget the last two editors-in-chief, and my friends, Josh and Tyler, who dealt with my constant calls for the first couple of weeks — who am I kidding? months — on the job but somehow convinced me it was all worth it in the end — and were right.

Then there’s Coop, the Agromeck editor, and probably one of the main reasons I’m still working here today.

And the editors from previous years and professors who made me love this job, from Tanner Kroeger to Dick Reavis.

And finally, there’s you, the reader. Thanks for your continued readership and constant feedback — the good and the bad. Keep it coming, and good luck with your future endeavors.

How did Saja do? E-mail her at letters@technicianonline.com.