I wasn’t going to write this letter.
Mostly, I’m dreading it because it means saying goodbye, and I hate goodbyes.
But this place — the OU Daily — deserves one for the world it’s given me over the past four years.
Who knew one moment I would be a freshman college student in the middle of a pandemic on my way to get a free pancake at one of the campus welcome events and the next I would be the OU Daily summer editor-in-chief?
Saying goodbye to this place, when the only reason I could hold it together after graduation was because I was remaining here for the next few months, is surreal to say the least.
A few weeks after the start of summer 2024, OU Daily advisor Seth Prince told me the EIC job was kind of like flying a plane without actually knowing how to fly the plane. He got the analogy from another Daily staffer and former editor-in chief. It goes a little like this:
You’re in the plane and somehow you figure out how to get it off the ground. You have a little trouble reaching the altitude you need to be at, but then you’re flying straight and easy. All of a sudden, it’s the end of the flight and now you have to figure out how land the plane.
The flight taking off is you in your new position at the Daily. Halfway through your time, you figure out what you’re doing and how to do it great. But then, your time here is ending and you have to figure out how to land the plane without hurting it or the people on board.
While he related it to the EIC job, it also relates closely to my entire experience at the Daily.
I came into this organization with no idea how to write. At least, not for a news organization. I remember sending in that first little article — a straight paragraph with no sourcing, line breaks or AP style. I was in the plane with a lot of different buttons and controls and flashing lights, and I had no idea how to get it off the ground.
Finally, with the endless and much-needed help of my editors, I got out my first feature story, and even though now I can think of a million ways to tell it better, I was proud. But that’s not to say I had reached the right altitude.
Someone, somewhere in the past four years once told me that in the journalism industry, you’re only as good as the ideas you have. To a student, unfamiliar with the industry to which she had just pledged the next four years of her life and who knew how many dollars in student loans, that was terrifying.
Like all young reporters, coming up with story ideas is one of the most difficult aspects of journalism. Especially in a new town, surrounded by people you don’t know. What’s even more discouraging is when you forget why you’re doing it in the first place.
I was walking down the South Oval one day when I heard an OU tour guide introducing the Native American Studies Department to the group. I had recently written a story about OU Native American students highlighting the importance of the department. In the story, one student mentioned they wished the department was talked about more, specifically on tours.
To be clear, I’m not saying no tour guide before that story never mentioned the department. To me, on that day where I felt discouraged in what I was doing at college and at the Daily, it made me ask, "What if?"
What if my story had made an impact? What if voices were heard and acknowledged not because of me, but because of the opportunity I had to share them?
It was the idea of ‘what if’ that kept me at OU Daily all these years. Even after realizing I wanted to go to law school.
Asking those ‘what ifs’ led me to stories about the struggles of women in STEM, in which I interviewed a former NASA scientist who was on the team that put the first robotic rover, Sojourner, on Mars.
I wrote about the first Black-owned salon on OU’s campus, about local Norman business owners and about local volunteers working to address misconceptions about homelessness.
The greatest part about every single one of these stories was seeing how they impact and uplift the people that tell them. That’s what made every bit of turbulence throughout these four years worth it.
I cannot thank the people in these stories and in every other I have ever written enough for trusting me with your words, your time and your passions, ideas or thoughts. And OU Daily, for giving me the opportunity, understanding and knowledge to tell such stories to the best of my ability.
These past four years have been a windstorm of opportunity, success, failure, loss and gain. To the people at OU Daily who helped me keep the plane on course:
Jonathan Kyncl, who I don’t think knows how much he truly helped me as my news editor. The way you guided me as a friend and a colleague is the way I hoped to train my own reporters and staff when I got to be in your shoes. Your constant reminders that I was good enough to be here, the tennis matches and countless trips to the Library were part of the real value I got out of my time here.
Jason Batacao, who is one of my best friends. You always have the most sound advice. Thank you for always getting me to talk about the hard things, making me feel heard and for always being there.
Late-night newsroom snacks with Grayson Blalock, Nick Coppola and Colton Sulley.
Colton Sulley, Grayson Blalock, Nick Coppola — the sports guys. Will never forget the late nights in the newsroom with you all. Thanks for the Nutella, milk and pita bread Grayson!
Karoline Leonard, Peggy Dodd and Alexia Aston were the foundation I fell back during in my time in leadership. Not only that, but you are all such incredibly talented people! I know you each will do and have already done amazing, impactful things. Also, I have never laughed so hard in my life than when I was with you guys!
All the OU Daily seniors I graduated with in May: Karoline, Alexia, Colton, Grayson, Jason, Kaly Phan, Jazz Wolfe, Maddy Keyes and Luke Smith. We did it! It’s been so amazing watching you all move on to greater things just in the few short months after graduation. I will be forever thankful for you all.
OU Daily May 2024 graduates. Right: Jazz Wolfe, Grayson Blalock, Karoline Leonard, Colton Sulley, Jason Batacao, Taylor Jones, Alexia Aston, Kaly Phan and Luke Smith.
My amazing summer staff, who were the ones helping me land the plane after these four long years. Ana Barboza and Avery Avery, cannot thank you enough for your support and guidance this summer. Aden Choate, Daniel Homrok, Kendra Stolhand, Gina Smith and everyone else who had to deal with me this summer, I cannot possibly begin to tell you how proud and thankful I am.
Finally, a shoutout to Seth, who works constantly to help us better ourselves and the future of the Daily. Thank you for your guidance, your protection of our independence and your patience (which you might not admit to having in some moments, but is nonetheless incredibly admirable).
The runway is in sight. Part of me can’t believe I made it this far. Another realizes even though my flight with OU Daily is over, someone else’s will begin in a few short weeks. Still others are in the air. I hope in my time here, I’ve contributed something that will help keep you afloat, as my predecessors have done for me.
It's important to note old fears still sit in my mind. Those that tell me I’m not good enough, or that I will again lose sight of what everything up until this point was really all about. But it is because of my time at the Daily and because of the friends I made during it that remind me these fears are not reality.
It is my hope everyone who walks through the newsroom doors will one day realize this as well.
Taylor Jones is a journalism graduate. She joined the OU Daily in Fall 2020. She served as an intern news reporter, junior news reporter, senior news reporter, assistant news managing editor and summer editor-in-chief. She will be attending OU Law in Fall 2024.
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