Shift W (full screen): Caroline Chisholm, Senior Column

Space bar (play).

My Harbinger adventure began in the fifth floor hallway across from room 521, too scared to enter the back room or to ask anyone if a lead and a lede are the same thing.

Command K (open J-data). I spent every fourth hour playing with my now-laughable designs and clicking through folders to find anything that would improve my designs and stories on J-data –– the journalism server on school MacBooks. You would have definitely found me dragging every pre-set from Design Libraries to try to take the attention away from my multi-triangle Indesign-made evergreen trees that fateful first semester.  

Command D (place, to put an object, picture or file onto an InDesign document). By sophomore year, with one semester under my belt, I began placing myself in the back room –– absorbing when Daisy, our notorious head copy editor, taught me how to finally write a gripping story and laughing at every ridiculous word that came out of Meg Thoma’s mouth. 

Command Z (go back, to undo or review a previous action). Sophomore year was the ultimate era of Harbinger of my four years –– the staff personality raised the roof. I thank God that I faced my irrational fears and grabbed a desktop in the back. Being in the middle of the chaos helped me grow as a writer, designer and a comedian –– or at least I hope it did. 

Omit. The tornado-ridden deadline of 2018. That’s all.

Command G (group, when a designer combines several objects into one). Although we’d all been together on staff since freshman year, junior year was the real conglomeration of Lila, Carolyn and me. The three amigos. The three musketeers. Despite Lila constantly making fun of me and Carolyn never failing to deny my FaceTimes because she’s too busy watching or reading who-knows-what, I know these two will be long-time friends of mine –– something for which I’m so grateful. 

Command N (new document). Senior year was the start of our group’s regime. A clean slate, the opportunity to decide what the next year would look like. Our strong friendship easily translated to a comfortable leadership team. We revamped the design aesthetic, focused on telling stories and coached the staff on all we know, trying to leave them behind with all the tools to be successful. 

Shift W (full screen, commonly used when a designer wants to view their completed design). My four years on Harbinger were the most transformative years of my life. I learned how to be a listener, a confident speaker and a caring storyteller. I grew into being a better team player, being open to change at any given moment and being a strong leader, despite it taking awhile to get the hang of. 

Command S (save, to keep a file forever). Saving and savoring these past four years as I write this reflection. I will forever hold onto the memories created in rooms 521 and 413B. I want to save every memory, moment, laugh and cry from my time on staff. This staff and these people have influenced my life for the better and are sending me away with a passion to pursue for the next four years.