Thanks for great year, Technique

They didn't throw me in the fountain. That was all I could think of as I went home from my last Technique meeting last year. It certainly isn't normal to be upset at not being thrown into a very shallow area of water, but it had become a tradition at the Technique to surprise and dunk the incoming Editor-in-Chief at one of the last few meetings. I'm not quite sure why, but I care a lot about tradition and felt like I'd been shafted. There I was, excited about the editorial board I had just chosen and full of ideas about where to take the Technique next, but all I could think about was that fountain.

After mulling irrational thoughts around in my head for a few hours of what message the previous editor was trying to send, I got a phone call from him. Of course the explanation was simple: he forgot and didn't really understand why anyone would want to be dunked in the fountain to begin with, but he said not to worry-it would happen sometime. I didn't understand how anyone could be consumed to the point they forget such an exciting tradition, at least not until last week, when it dawned on me as I left the office after my last Technique staff meeting ever that I had just forgotten to throw my successor into the fountain.

Luckily it turns out my successor is more sane than I am and was not affected by my mistake (although no doubt, it will be corrected in the near future). Still, as the fountain story illustrates, leading the "South's Liveliest" this year has changed me-and not just to the point that I have so much going through my head that I forget traditions. Serving as News Editor last year taught me a lot about campus politics, AP style, student government budgets and campus crime, but nothing compares to my experience this year heading a staff that earnestly tried to represent your student voice every week.

I started out the year with ambitious goals, as every leader should, and laid them out in my editorial in the freshman issue: "Even more than just continuing to provide a distraction from your Friday lectures as much as always, I hope you see innovation in the paper, and I hope that the Technique always contains information you want to read."

I am proud to say that there was innovation in the Technique this year, as editors experimented with new layouts and the first issue of spring introduced a new, centered flag on the front page that highlighted the paper's long history at Tech.

By no means were we perfect, and believe me I still remember every time the crossword puzzle has been messed up this year, as well as hundreds of other little errors. However, looking back it isn't the product that we put out each week that I remember, it is the amazing time that I had producing it with a staff that made my life crazy but kept me sane.

The Technique came out every Friday afternoon only because of the dedication of this year's staff. They are a diverse and incredibly talented group that gave the paper the spirit it had this year through their individuality.

To everyone involved with the newspaper this year, who accomplished amazing things by not only following my direction but by challenging me when necessary, I thank you.

To next year's editors, I know you will continue many of the traditions of the Technique while at the same time innovating your own to take the paper to the next level. Always remember that first and foremost the Technique is a student paper. The only way we can keep the Technique lively is to infuse it with student life.

To my successor, I know that you will make significant progress next year as you continue the tradition that started in 1911. Remember to not be afraid to ask the hard questions and defy traditions when necessary. Also, it doesn't hurt to take a walk and get out of the office every now and then, either when you need perspective or just a break from deadline insanity.

To the readers, thank you for allowing us the privilege of representing your voice every week. I appreciate every email and letter that you sent this year whether it was praising the staff or condemning us. By the end of the week, every staff member spends hours working on the paper to entertain and inform you, so it is great to hear from you. I encourage you to continue giving the paper your feedback. Next year's editors will value your comments and be better at their jobs because of them.

To Tech, thanks for three amazing years. I am leaving with a phenomenal education, but more importantly a better person full of memories of my time here-including that dunk in the fountain.