Since arriving at JSU in 2014, I’ve always looked forward to typing my senior farewell. Of course, now that the time has come, I don’t even know where to start or what to say. So, I suppose I’ll start from the beginning. (Fades into flashback). I entered JSU with a very extensive list of what I perceived as attainable achievements and intentions. Mostly all of which involved my trusty camera. As a freshman it was nearly impossible to spot me without a camera or notebook, for interviews, in hand. It got to the point where people assumed that I was an upperclassman. These assumptions only grew more bizarre as I started to find myself in situations where I had to clarify that I wasn’t in grad school, yet, as a sophomore and junior in college. As I look back, I wonder, was it really so bizarre to ask? Were the countless hours lacking sleep and missing out on “fun” with my peers worth it? Well, I like to believe so. In my five years I’ve achieved more than I could have ever imagined and manifested.
I earned the title of yearbook editor of the last eXperience e-Yearbook, being the first freshman to hold this title. I’ve freelanced and worked with University Communications since my freshman year. I held my first celebrity interview as a sophomore. I’ve been the Associate Editor and Editor-in-Chief of the Blue and White Flash and eXperience Magazine with Student Publications. I served as the Director of Photography for the Sonic Boom of the South. I’ve had a photo featured on the CBS Face the Nation Recap of Best Commencement Speeches in 2016. I’ve represented my university at multiple journalism conferences, some of which I was awarded 1st, 2nd, and/or 3rdPlace awards for reporting and photography. I was recommended to represent the Journalism Department as an intern at the Jackson Free Press, where I was blessed to be hired full-time at the end of my summer internship. In the same year, I was also recommended by department to study abroad in Sri Lanka and publish a magazine and website with the Ole Miss Journalism Department. I was the only Jackson State student and black male to participate.
As I navigated through my fifth and final year at JSU, I reflected in peace knowing that I had nothing else to accomplish except graduating. However, God and the Universal Energies weren’t done with me yet. I was surprised to learn that some of my photos were used for the banners surrounding the campus and another was used for a wall in the CSEL office. Along with this, I now have photos framed in the music department building. These were amongst the many humbling moments of my entire collegiate career. They were literally the final things on my list of goals before graduating and it happened. Goals I had nearly forgotten about.
So, to conclude my farewell, I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to all of these accomplishments and furthermore had a direct hand in making this happen for me. It was necessary to revisit what is shown on my resume and portfolio in order to give credit to the true recipients of these glories.
Ms. Shannon and Ms. Kierra with Student Publications. Mr. Charles Smith, L.A. Warren, and Kentrice Rush with University Communications. Ramon Jackson, Ousman Camara, and the Band Staff with the Sonic Boom of the South. My peers, friends, employers, and supporters. As this is my farewell letter, it was only right to mention all that I’ve accomplished. However, let it be known that the true acknowledgment goes to all of you who recommended, published, respected, encouraged, taught, mentored, supported, and believed in me all while wiping my tears and patting me on the back every step of the way when I doubted my worth and ability. It is impossible to truly express my gratitude and emotion (I’m literally refraining from crying right now, lol) towards your efforts, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Over the years, everyone has always seen what I’VE achieved and what I’VE done, but now they’ll know who truly made my dreams a reality. What WE’VE achieved. Without ALL of you, and more, none of this would have or could have been made possible. I will continue to over-achieve and make you proud.
THANK YOU for willingly investing into the future of a young black man who just wanted to make it out of the ghetto, and successfully did just that.
