May 4, 2021

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May 4, 2021

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OPINIONS President Biden reacts to recent police brutality. pg. 3

COVID-19 update: Social gathering and venue capacity to be increased starting May 15 Restrictions ease as COVID-19 vaccinations in the Commonwealth are on the rise.

MOMIJI BARLOW news editor

In a press briefing on April 19, Gov. Ralph Northam announced that Virginia will be loosening restrictions on social gatherings and venue capacity, as well as extending the capacity of recreational sporting events.

The governor has cited the rise in vaccinations in the Commonwealth as the reason for easing restrictions. Half of all adults in Virginia have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine so far, and all Virginians who are 16 and older

are now eligible for the vaccine. According to the New River Health District’s website, as of April 26 over 49,800 people, more than 27% of the total population, have been vaccinated in the New River Valley.

Starting Saturday, May 15, the maximum number of people that can gather will be increased to 100 people for indoor settings and 250 people for outdoor settings from the current maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.

Venue capacity for indoor events will be permitted to operate at 50% capacity or

Sports

Hokies’ NFL Draft recap Farley and Darrisaw are selected in the first round.

DEVIN SHEPARD sports editor

CB Caleb Farley - Tennessee Titans first round, 22nd overall The Titans took a risk in the first round for the Caleb Farley, who’s had as bad of an offseason you could dream of, to no fault of his own. The athletic corner was seen by most draft analysts as the best player at his position coming into the offseason, but he fell to 22 due to back issues that came up over the past couple months. If Farley can stay healthy and work on his main discipline, he has the ability to be one of the best corners in the NFL in a couple years, but it’s a big if.

OT Christian Darrisaw - Minnesota Vikings - first round, 23rd overall

The Vikings made one of the best moves of Night One trading down from 14 to 23 and selecting Darrisaw, who they likely would have selected at 14. Darrisaw, a first-team All-ACC selection for the Hokies this past season, is a physical specimen at left tackle, measuring up at 6 feet, 5 inches tall and 314 pounds. He’s disciplined as a pass protector which will allow him to compete with NFL pass rushers. The behemoth left tackle is likely to start for the Vikings this season help solidify a line that was one of the worst in the league last season.

S Divine Deablo - Las Vegas Raiders third round, 80th overall Deablo was a late riser in the draft process as teams became enamored with his physical

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1,000 people, an increase from 30% or 500 people. For outdoor venues, the capacity will also rise to 50%, but with no cap on the number of people.

Recreational sporting event restrictions will loosen and allow for 100 to 250 spectators or 50% capacity, whichever is less.

Outdoor recreational sporting events will increase from 500 to 1,000 people or 50% capacity, whichever is less.

Dining room closures will no longer be required between midnight and 5 a.m. and restaurants will be able to return to selling

alcohol after midnight.

Northam continued to urge safe practices, such as social distancing and mask wearing, in a video message.

“I’m optimistic that we will be able to take more steps in June,” Northam said. “We are aiming to significantly ramp up vaccinations even further and aim to reduce mitigation measures in June, hopefully all the way.”

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. ability and versatility. The 6-3, 226-pound safety is likely going to play linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders and could fill a need for them immediately. However, it will be mostly an athleticism based projection as Deablo has almost no experience at the position.

HB Khalil Herbert - Chicago Bears sixth round, 217 overall Herbert took a bit of a fall in the draft, being selected in the sixth round by the

Bears. Concerns about his age and only one year as a starter likely caused the Virginia Tech lead back to slip. However, the Bears may have gotten a steal in Herbert. He factors in as the third or fourth string running back on the Bears roster, after David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen. After the draft, defensive end Justus Reed signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans, and defensive tackle Jarrod Hewitt signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

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ODE TO CLASS OF ‘21 A celebratory playlist for all of our Hokie graduates . pg. 5

In crisis, it is crucial to think carefully about language When Black communities protest the murder of a loved one at the hands of police, Biden has two choices: be supportive or stay silent.

RORY AILOR opinions columnist

On April 11, President Joe Biden made his first public comments on the recent police shooting that fatally wounded unarmed Black man Daunte Wright. Before any sort of investigation had transpired, Biden was asked about whether he had reached out to Wright’s family. His response was mild-mannered and relatively contained, as we have come to expect from the sitting president.

However, his last few words were upsetting for the communities most affected

by Wright’s murder.

“I want to make it clear again: there is absolutely no justification — none — for looting. No justification for violence.

Peaceful protest? Understandable,” Biden said.

These comments are an attempt to prevent civil unrest after another tragic death at the hands of the police, but something about Biden’s words felt sinister.

In the summer of 2020, news media across the country were engulfed with stories of protests responding to the police shootings involving unarmed Black men and women.

The protests became a political movement that divided many Americans, depending on where they get their news from.

This politicization of the protests sparked the conservative narrative that the protests were overwhelmingly violent. The reality was, however, that they were not, and conservatives merely wanted something to grab onto because they were uncomfortable with the movement. The summer protests were found to be roughly 93% peaceful, out of the thousands of demonstrations that took place from May 26 to Aug. 22. The notion that the protests were plagued with violence is simply false.

While President Biden may have not intended for his comments to imply that the protests have been violent, the language he used can be dangerous in furthering the narrative that the protests should not be allowed to continue.

Words matter, and we need to be careful about how we talk about racism and police brutality in this country. There are so many people who still refuse to believe these issues exist, and there are others intentionally slowing down racial progress and police reform through movements such as the “Blue Lives Matter” movement.

James Mitchell is a junior majoring in sports media and analytics. As a Black student, he understands that President Biden’s words can hold a lot of weight, but only for those who are listening.

“It’s all about perspective, you know,” Mitchell said. “For people who don’t support the Black Lives Matter movement, I feel like they won’t be very impacted by his words. But on the other hand, I feel like it is necessary to use his platform to address the police brutality issue because it will affect certain people.”

Shifting the focus onto civil unrest and not the structural issues at hand is disingenuous and ultimately insidious. If someone’s first response to the murders of Daunte Wright, George Floyd or Breonna Taylor is to point out the issues within the protests, they are focusing on the response to the problem and ignoring the root of it.

The issue of police using excessive violence against the Black community is hardly new. If you are someone who struggles to understand why these massive protests are taking place, it is time to do some research of your own.

When Colin Kaepernick knelt before an NFL game to bring awareness to police brutality against African Americans, he was vilified for his form of peaceful protest, clearly stemming from the discomfort that many white people have had with the movement in general. Kaepernick showed that those who don’t support a movement will always find fault in it, even if that means they have to find a way to become outraged over a man kneeling silently.

The President calling for peace makes sense, but buffering calls for peace with pleas to avoid violence implies a lack of trust in the Black community. Biden asking for

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Christiansburg Black Lives Matter protest, June 10, 2020.

people to stop looting before it even occurs is tone-deaf and signifies a failure to understand the situation. He should have been centered on calling on police to de-escalate situations more effectively going forward.

Instead of addressing the thousands of protestors, addressing the police and their role in the violence would have been more effective. Over the course of last summer’s peaceful protests, it was evident that the police did not succeed in keeping things calm.

Christiansburg resident Jalen Koonce attended multiple Black Lives Matter protests last summer in several cities, including Roanoke, Radford, Myrtle Beach and South Carolina. Despite the peaceful nature of the protests he attended, Koonce claims he witnessed the police make multiple arrests.

Koonce responded to the question of whether he believed that the police contributed to the violence that occasionally took place during peaceful protests.

“I do believe the cops, in general, had something to do with it,” Koonce said. “We are just tired of our color being treated as a crime. The cops are here to make us feel safe and protected, right?”

Those who want to keep Black people

oppressed in this country are looking for evidence and reasons to diminish the issues they face. When a politician who campaigned on a promise that “Black lives matter” acts as if the Black community cannot handle their own peaceful protests, it slows down the progress that needs to be made.

Last Tuesday, on April 20, Derek Chauvin was convicted of second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for the killing of Minneapolis resident George Floyd. This was a major win in the movement toward fixing the racial injustices in this country. The emotional trial left many feeling that justice had been served.

The outcome of this trial signifies progress but it does not mean any issues have been fully resolved.

Legislative change is necessary in order to create peace between members of the Black community and law enforcement, but communication and choosing our words carefully can make a real difference — especially from our leaders who set the tone of our nation.

@CollegiateTimes

CONGRATULATIONS HOKIES! Your Virginia Tech education is a foundation on which to build your future and attain your goals and dreams. It is something you can never lose, and its value will grow as you explore the opportunities the future will bring. While your last year was challenging to say the least, you overcame the obstacles, found strength in community, and reached this goal. We applaud all the work and sacrifice, by you and your family, that brought you this far, and we wish you every success on the journey forward. You’ve proven that nothing can stand in your way, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish. The Class of 2021 will be remembered for its strength, resilience, and spirit of Ut Prosim.

We celebrate you now and always.

President Tim Sands

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An ode to the class of 2021: The ultimate Hokie graduation playlist

Want to spice up these next days before graduation? Check out lifestyles editor Molly Dye’s top songs for the class of 2021.

Seniors stand for a photo at the 2019 class graduation as rain pours down at Lane Stadium, May 17, 2019.

MOLLY DYE lifestyles editor

It’s that bittersweet, surreal moment that has finally crept up on the Class of 2021: graduation. For many Hokies, this time of year is met with feelings of excitement, uncertainty and a touch of melancholy as they enter new beginnings. Amid this time of elation and anticipation for what comes next, take a listen to some of these songs that I believe reflect the Hokie spirit and may bring back some fond memories as you reflect on the college experience. A quick note: several of these songs contain explicit lyrics.

“Mo Bamba” by Sheck Wes Say whatever you want about this song, but I will bet that every graduating senior will ponder a specific college memory upon hearing just a single snippet of this banger.

Whether you heard it at dingy parties in someone’s basement, blasting on the car radio or back in the olden days at Center Street, this song is a must for your 2021 graduation playlist to bring back sweet (or maybe not the sweetest) memories of college in Blacksburg.

“Ms. Jackson” by Outkast Though “Ms. Jackson” has been an all-out bop since 2000, it still remains a fun tune that exudes the same positive, exciting energy that comes along with graduating.

Crank this one up in the car with some other graduating pals on your way to celebrate getting that degree.

“Doses & Mimosas” by Cherub What better song exists to celebrate a fantastic achievement such as graduation than “Doses & Mimosas?” This song simply makes you want to pop a bottle of Champagne and dance around with your besties without a care in the world.

“Sicko Mode” by Travis Scott Here’s another track that will bring back immediate college memories whether you like them or not. “Sicko Mode” is one of those songs that we all heard at every party for at least a year. Although most graduating seniors are probably sick of hearing those first few beats, this song is a must-add to the ultimate Hokie graduation playlist. Be sure to play this one at any and all post graduation festivities for a fun and nostalgic celebration.

“In My Life” by The Beatles

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES

This one is a tearjerker. The lyrics in “In My Life” are reflective and heartwarming, making you think back on special times in your life. It’s one of those classics you can’t help but stop and appreciate when it comes on. Whether you listen to this song over the summer or in 15 years, I hope you are reminded of all the people you met, places you went and memories you made throughout your time at Virginia Tech.

“Mr. Brightside” by The Killers Here’s a shout out to the ultimate college banger. Whenever you listen to “Mr. Brightside” as a newly graduated Hokie, I hope it reminds you of all the times you heard those first few chords, looked at all your friends with wide eyes, and started belting every lyric in pure bliss.

“We Are Young” by fun. featuring Janelle Monáe This early 2010’s pop throwback is a great reminder that even after graduating college, you are still young and free with so much ahead of you. “We Are Young” is a feel-good tune that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and excited for the new chapter of life that lies ahead.

“Enter Sandman” by Metallica Can you imagine if I didn’t include this song in a Hokie graduation playlist? Make sure to play this one last to get the full emotional, heart-wrenching experience. As always, feel free to jump along and pretend that you are still living your best life at a football game in Lane Stadium.

The list doesn’t end just there. Here are a few other songs I would include in the Class of 2021 Hokie playlist: “Celebrate”

by Anderson .Paak, “The Nights” by Avicii, “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, “Walking on a Dream” by Empire of the Sun and “Shooting Stars” by Bag Raiders.

Hopefully, some of these tracks — new and old — will not only make you excited for the bright future that has yet to come for Virginia Tech’s Class of 2021, but will also elicit heartwarming memories of Virginia Tech and remind you how good it feels to be a part of Hokie Nation from here on out.

@CollegiateTimes

PAGE 6 May 4, 2021

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Goodbye Grads Alex Brunworth Engineering

Congratulations on your educational achievements. We have always been so proud of you, you are an inspiration (is this too Hokie?)! The future is yours… Go for the Big Banana!

Love you much, Auntie and Grandma

Jake Kahn

Brittany Renee Oliver

Bachelor of Science, Biology

Management with concentration in Human Resources and Marketing Management Congratulations Brittany!

We are beyond proud of all of your accomplishments! Love you so much! Mom, Dad and the rest of your family

editor@collegiatetimes.com

Congratulations Jake!

We are prouder than all the stars in the sky. Follow your dreams and always remember, we are by your side and will always support you.

We love you, Mom, Dad, Jason, Camille, Dan, Mikinley and Colton

Sabrina Michelle Ahmad Cruz

Jordan Alexis Coffman

Psychology

Bachelor of Science, Sociology I couldn’t be more proud of all you have achieved!!

Take a bow! You earned it!!

“The view from the top is so worth the climb!”

Love Always, Mom

Sabrina, Congratulations beautiful girl on your graduation! We thank god for blessing our lives with you. May you continue to shine on every path you take. We all love you always and forever!

Love Mom, Dad, Sahil, Ashad,Junayed, Ama, Abu, Grandma, Grandpa, & your aunts and uncles.

Congratulations 2021 VT Grads!!!

Goodbye Grads: Don’t plan anything, work hard and say ‘yes’

“I’m a strong believer in fate, and that people end up where they’re meant to be; however, I believe we won’t really get there without rolling our sleeves up.”

EMILY HANNAH former managing editor

This is something I’ve dreaded writing since fall 2017, back when I was a freshman in the newsroom. In fact, I dreaded it so much that I actually wrote my entire Goodbye Grads piece when I was a sophomore, saving myself from the sadness and nostalgia that inevitably comes with a piece like this. I guess I thought I knew exactly what I would want to say when I was 19. I knew all the advice I would want to give and all of the anecdotes I’d leave my classmates with.

Spoiler, 19-year-old me knew nothing about life. 22-year-old me barely knows anything either.

No one could predict COVID-19 and how it would destroy my graduating class’ senior experience, but it did a little bit. A lot of things were different or ruined for everyone, but I’m incredibly grateful for what we have and the fact that we still get to walk in Lane Stadium.

As I’m preparing to graduate, writing this piece gives me the chance to look back and reflect on my experiences at Virginia Tech.

Overall, I’ve loved my time on this campus.

Despite the hardships that came along with being a student during the pandemic, I was incredibly fortunate to grow a lot as a person over the last year in both career and personal spheres. I have learned a lot about myself. There are three main points I’d like

to hit, three main takeaways I’ve gotten from college: don’t plan anything out, work your absolute hardest, and just say “yes,” even when you don’t believe in yourself.

First, don’t plan anything. It goes without saying nobody planned for the pandemic. I came into college thinking I’d love every class I took, stay in touch with my high school friends, join a sorority, the list goes on. I didn’t do any of those things, really, and that’s OK. It’s nearly impossible to plan out every detail of the most transitional years in my life.

Next, work your absolute hardest. This I stress with every bone in my body. As the daughter of entrepreneurial workaholics,

the biggest lesson I learned as a child was to work hard to get what I want. Nothing is free and nothing is handed to you, especially in college. If you have time, get a part-time job. Join a club in your major, create a study group, build strong professional relationships with your professors. Set yourself up for success and don’t settle if you know the work you’re doing isn’t your best.

Finally, just say “yes” to opportunities, even when you’re scared or uncertain. As college kids in a

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editor@collegiatetimes.com continued from page 6

pandemic, we don’t know when the next door is going to close and when the next will open. I’m a strong believer in fate, and that people end up where they’re meant to be; however, I believe we won’t really get there without rolling our sleeves up. College doesn’t have to be about drinking yourself blind, partying every night and barely getting through classes. College can be about working our tails off and accepting challenges we aren’t ready for. There’s only four years of college; there’s no time to be scared or cowardly. Say yes for your future. Apply for the internship you don’t quite qualify for. Sign up for the class everyone says is too hard. Put yourself out there.

The Collegiate Times was a homebase for me, a place on campus that brought me comfort and challenges, friends and opportunities to grow as a young adult.

My journey from staff writer to managing editor has helped me gain internships and job opportunities, and I’m grateful for the time I’ve served on staff. Some of the greatest people I’ve met are in the CT, and I can’t wait to see where the paper goes in the next few years.

My time with the Collegiate Times was as great as it was because of some awesome people that I need to talk about. First and foremost, I’d like to thank Ashley Long, one of my best friends, for literally everything. I have tears in my eyes writing this because she’s genuinely one of the best people to exist. I could write a book about how great she is, but we don’t have time for that. Next, Emily Carter and Heather Trobridge, the lovely ladies that made up our little Taylor Swift fan squad in the CT newsroom. I’ll carry the memories we’ve made together at CT parties and endless production sessions in the newsroom.

Because I could write essays upon essays about how many additional people in the CT made a positive impact on me, I’m just going to list off everyone who has been my friend and mentor for the past four years. Katelyn Meade and John Battiston, thank you for guiding me through my freshman year and beyond.

Jess Brady, Izzy Rossi and Meg Connors, thank you for the brunches, girl talks and the unlimited amounts of great career advice. John McBride, some of the best, funniest CT memories I have are because of you.

On to next year’s amazing managing staff. I have the utmost respect and admiration for Tori Walker, editor-in-chief.

Tori, I have no doubt you’ll do amazing things in your senior year. Lexi and Abby

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May 4, 2021 PAGE 7

are dream-team managing editors, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the paper.

College is pretty much over for me, but as I graduate in Lane, hundreds of incoming freshmen will tour this beautiful campus. If I could look back at 18-year-old Emily, I’d shake her shoulders and tell her to stop planning everything.

Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, will go to plan. College will be fun and crazy and scary and exciting, and it will lead to great things. I owe my gratitude to the Collegiate Times for many happy memories.

Before I go, I want to express my passion about the importance of student journalism. Not only does student journalism serve communities with information, but it serves participating students as a stepping stone into their respective fields. This is the kind of experience employers look for: a student had an idea and the confidence to try and publish it for their community. Writing and editing for a publication is great work experience.

Spare all mistakes — those are inevitable with a student publication, as we are students who are quite literally learning on the job. At Virginia Tech, through my own personal experience, I’ve noticed the communication department isn’t wholly supportive of the Collegiate Times because of writing choices, mistakes or a million other little grievances that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of learning. This lack of allegiance is something I’ve picked up on since my tenure as managing editor, and while I hold frustrations to those few faculty who don’t support students trying to learn outside of the classroom, I encourage students to get involved in the CT to gain great writing and life experiences.

This is the first article I’ve written since I was a sophomore (not proud of that, but life happens), and it so happens to be my last, too. If you took anything away from my unsolicited, all over the place advice-column article, I hope it was to stop planning, work hard, and say “yes.”

College is short; make good use of your time and have fun.

As always, go Hokies.

@CollegiateTimes

COURTESY OF EMILY HANNAH Emily Hannah poses near the Pylons as her days as an undergraduate come to an end, May 1, 2021.

Goodbye Grads: Here’s to senior year “I’m exiting college much like I came in — a little lost and confused without an exact plan — but, now, that doesn’t scare me.”

PEYTON MANFRE former lifestyles staff writer

• Spacious 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes!

• Private balcony or patio • Majority of utilities in monthly value rate • Wired for high-speed internet access • Large Walk-in Closets • Animal friendly (restrictions apply) • Private laundry facilities in each building • Optional washer/dryer in apartment home • Optional furniture and all-inclusive packages

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Here’s to making my first college friends in my freshman English class, and to the 8 a.m. classes I will never miss; to the late night drives on Blacksburg backroads, and early morning Cook Out runs; to walking across the flooded Drillfield in soggy tennis shoes, and climbing mountains at sunset.

Here’s to all the papers I wrote and books I did(n’t) read. To the VTU for letting me live out my concert photographer fantasy even if it was just for a minute, and to the Collegiate Times for giving me a platform to write about things I love.

Before starting my college career, I had no idea of who I was or what I wanted in life. While Virginia Tech was never my first choice, my time here has amounted to much more than I ever expected. While I was in high school, everyone always made college out to be some life changing experience where all of a sudden you become a person and you enter the real world and you’re, like, complete or something. I can’t say that’s been my experience, but my three years here have been much more than that.

Throughout my time at VT, I’ve grown from an extremely lost teenager to a slightly less lost adult (?). Humor aside, my classes and involvement in organizations like the VTU and the CT have helped me realize that all my interests (writing, art, music, helping others and more) can be combined into a career path I’m passionate about.

That being said, one day I aspire to promote musicians as a publicist in the music industry.

However, while my college career has given me an answer for what I want to do in the future, it has also taught me that there isn’t just one version of success. I’m exiting college much like I came in — a little lost and confused without an exact plan — but, now, that doesn’t scare me. When I arrived here at age 18, I was so worried about living up to others’ expectations, but now at 21, I’m leaving eager to step into the

great wide open and live my life to the fullest, even if I’m still not sure of exactly what that means.

So, here’s to the spring break that lasted the rest of the semester, and the Zoom classes I never thought I’d have to take. Here’s to all the people I met — the ones who stuck around and the ones who didn’t — and to all the professors that have guided me towards my goals.

Lastly, here’s to Virginia Tech for not being the college experience I thought I wanted, but for being the one I needed.

@CollegiateTimes

COURTESY OF PEYTON MANFRE

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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Goodbye Grads: The newsroom was my second home “It’s important to take a break from schoolwork and do something fulfilling that isn’t binging Netflix. You’ll learn some life skills and who knows? You might even meet your best friends.”

EMILY CARTER former lifestyles editor

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. At first, I wanted to be the next J.K. Rowling, but realizing that would be next to impossible, I switched my career goals to journalism after enrolling in communications courses in high school. Ever since committing to Virginia Tech four years ago, I wanted to join the Collegiate Times. Little freshman me had no idea what was in store the first time I set foot in the newsroom, which seemed ginormous to me at the time.

I started as a news writer, after realizing it wasn’t the right fit for me, I moved to lifestyles. I was a staff writer for about a year and was promoted to Co-Lifestyles Editor with the lovely Breanna Knotts; my senior year, I was all alone as Lifestyles Editor, but I was up for the challenge. And boy, was it a struggle.

There were times when I stared at the screen trying to come up with headlines with my eyes glazed over. I sometimes wanted to pull out my hair and fling my computer across the room. But I got through those times and became a better writer and editor because of them.

Every Sunday I looked forward to production in the newsroom. All the schoolwork and stress that I had melted away for a few hours as I worked with my friends on something I was passionate about. I will forever be grateful for the days spent in the newsroom, the experience and the friendships I made along the way.

I met my close friends Design Editor Heather Trobridge, Managing Editor Emily Hannah and former Editorin-Chief Ashley Long at the end-ofthe-year CT party my freshman year. I was terrified to go because it was my first “college party,” but something told me I had to go. I met the three of them and we made a pact that night to become best friends. We still are, and I am so glad I attended that party. The four of us have celebrated birthdays, had many Taylor Swift sing-a-longs and attended every CT party since that night in April 2018.

I met my best friend, former Opinions Editor Donya Momenian, at Gobblerfest my junior year. We clicked instantly, and for the past two years she has been there to try new foods with, talk about Spanish TV shows on Netflix and

has always picked up the phone when I needed to rant or tell her what extremely embarrassing thing happened to me that day. There were many Sundays at productions where we got nothing done because we talked way too much.

I worked on my first long-form story with her and there’s no one I’d rather have worked on that story with. That was the first time I felt like a real “journalist.”

The Collegiate Times gave me the opportunity to grow my life skills to take into the real world. Interviewing subjects taught me how to be a good listener.

Writing headlines allowed me to be creative and I learned that first impressions are everything. Being a leader of a team showed me how to communicate effectively and how to be firm with writers.

Thanks to the CT, I’ve been able to talk to the most interesting people I wouldn’t have known outside of the paper. I’ve found that I have a knack for satire writing. I’ve written many, many articles on Taylor Swift. I’ve even written stories on the strangest things happening at VT, including an obituary for a squirrel. The CT gave me an outlet to express myself and gave me a refreshing break between assignments.

If I have one piece of advice for incoming freshmen or even seniors, it would be to get involved in something you are passionate about, even if it’s not in your major. If you’re an English major, join a coding club; if you’re a computer science major, join the dance team. It’s important to take a break from schoolwork and do something fulfilling that isn’t binging Netflix. You’ll learn some life skills and who knows? You might even meet your best friends.

As I look back on my college career, I don’t remember the nights I spent working on papers and studying for tests. Most of the memories I have are of times spent in the newsroom and I am so thankful that I was on the staff of the Collegiate Times all four years I was at Virginia Tech.

@CollegiateTimes

COURTESY OF EMILY CARTER Emily Carter stands confidently in front of Burruss Hall, rocking her Collegiate Times stole, May 1, 2021.

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Goodbye Grads: Ashley Long, former editor-in-chief “I’m sad to leave the Collegiate Times, but I also could not be more proud of the work all of these amazing people have done and will continue to do.”

ASHLEY LONG former editor-in-chief

I can’t believe I’m finally writing this piece. I started at the Collegiate Times before the first day of my freshman year, and it was by far the best decision I’ve made during my time at Virginia Tech. That being said, it was a journey full of twists and turns and ups and downs. Hopefully I’ve left the Collegiate Times better than when I found it, because that’s what it did for me.

Freshman year was a blur. I, like most other students, had no idea where I fit in or what I wanted to do with my life. Being the only freshman on the editorial staff was a blessing, because I had a built-in group of older brothers and sisters to walk me through the highs and the lows of the first year of my college experience.

Sophomore year, even though it flew by, was when I dove in head-first into the CT. I became managing editor and got to work with then-editor-inchief Jessica Brady, who was the most resilient, strong, independent woman I’ve ever worked with. Her drive to make the school and the paper better was unmatched, and even when people called for her resignation for making decisions they disagreed with, she held her head high and believed in herself.

She leaned on her friends, but we leaned on her just as much. She taught me what it meant to stand resolute in what you believe in and trust your instincts.

Junior year was tough. Jess, Meg Connors (one of the best people to ever walk planet Earth) and all of my other friends who were seniors graduated.

They left all the youngsters to run the paper and somehow left me in charge.

If there’s one thing I can say to our audience after being editor-in-chief, it’s this: be patient and be informed.

This is a group of people who are 18 to 22 years old and are trying to figure out what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Don’t berate them on social media for putting a comma in the wrong place. I promise you have better things to do with your time. Instead, help them learn. Tell them what they can do better and tell them what they’re doing well. One nice comment every

once in a while goes a long way.

Senior year has been weird to say the least. Of everything that could have affected my final year of college, a global pandemic never even crossed my mind. Nevertheless, we adapted, and it didn’t get in the way of me seeing my friends or building new relationships that have made this final year the best one yet.

I’m sad to leave the Collegiate Times, but I also could not be more proud of the work all of these amazing people have done and will continue to do.

Izzy Rossi taught me what it meant to follow your dreams. She’s now a bada** broadcast reporter and is doing everything I knew she would do when she graduated. I’m beyond proud to call her a friend and I’m forever grateful of all the cat pictures she posts on Instagram.

Thank you for being an overall incredible human, and please move back to Virginia as soon as possible.

Next, my three musketeers: Heather Trobridge, Emily Hannah and Emily Carter. The day we all looked at each other and said, “We’re going to be best friends” is still one of the best days of my college career. I can’t imagine going through my four years of college without our multiple Taylor Swiftthemed parties or Emily Hannah’s candle obsession. You’re all my life-long friends and I know our group chat filled with Emily Carter’s conspiracies about when the next album is coming out will continue to live on.

And now, Tori Walker. You absolute angel of a human being. I don’t know where to even start when it comes to how much I love you and how proud I am of you. I remember you coming up to me at an interest meeting when you were a freshman and asking about how you could join. This is cheesy, but I swear I knew you would take over the paper one day right when I met you.

Don’t ever underestimate how amazing you are or how capable you are of doing amazing things. I could not imagine leaving this paper in anyone else’s hands. You’ve already done an incredible job as editor-in-chief and I can’t wait to see everything you do in the future.

Last but not least, our advisor Kiley

Thompson. Thank you for putting up with my texts and calls at all hours of the day and keeping me calm when I jump into worst-case scenario mode. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me and the Collegiate Times. You’re my mom away from my mom and everyone on the media hall is beyond lucky to have you.

If I wrote out every other person on our staff, this article would be 100 pages long, but I’m beyond thankful for all of you. Thank you for making my college experience so amazing. Keep up the amazing work and don’t forget to have some fun, ABP-filled dance parties in the newsroom on occasion. Soak it in, because these four years will be gone

before you know it.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support student journalism. Keep reading, keep commenting and keep telling this amazing group of students what you think is important. They’re here to listen.

@CollegiateTimes

COURTESY OF ASHLEY LONG Ashley Long poses at the Pylons, adorned with her CT stole and EMCVT cord, May 1, 2021.

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Goodbye Grads: Heather Trobridge, former design editor “Since I walked onto campus, the experiences I’ve had, the lessons I’ve learned and the people I’ve met have molded me into the best version of myself.”

HEATHER TROBRIDGE former design editor

I was 17 years old when I blindly accepted my offer to attend this university; I had never stepped foot onto campus, had no idea what a Hokie was and never once in my life thought that I would respond to that question with, “I am.” Something drew me to Blacksburg, Virginia, and the moment I first walked across the Drillfield on a cold, rainy February afternoon, I knew that I found my home.

I’d like to thank the Collegiate Times specifically for bringing me into their home. I have made some of my best friends and so many memories of production in the newsroom because of this paper. I had no idea how much being a part of this staff would change my life, but I am so glad that it has.

It’s been four years now; I’ve grown so much since those days and, looking back, I know I made the best decision of my life when I clicked “accept.” Leaving here, I know that it isn’t goodbye, but see you soon.

For those of you who will not be graduating this spring, I want to leave you with some advice: 1. Live out “Ut Prosim” every day. You will always have an opportunity to do something for someone else and you should always take the chance to give back to the community you live in. No matter how small or insignificant you think it may be, you should take the chance to give back to this community that gives us all so much every day.

2. Say yes to everything within reason.

Remember not to burn yourself out, but if you have the time and the energy to try something new, don’t hold yourself back because of fear. I went into college with this mindset and that is how I became a PINK Rep, got involved with The Big Event and found the Collegiate Times, which all led to

me making some of my closest friends and having the most fun.

3. Make connections with everyone. The people on this campus and in this town — professors, faculty, staff, students, alumni, residents — all have incredible stories to share. Listen to their stories and share yours.

Since I walked onto campus, the experiences I’ve had, the lessons I’ve learned and the people I’ve met have molded me into the best version of myself. Get involved while you are here and go out of your way to try something or meet someone new; who knows? That moment could change your life.

Every second I have spent in Blacksburg has been so wonderful, and while leaving here is bittersweet, I’m so excited for what the future holds. Live out “Ut Prosim,” find your Hokie family while you are here, and I will leave you with one last bit of advice: Seek the good in everything and do good for everyone.

Congrats to our graduating CT seniors!

We are beyond proud of you! @CollegiateTimes

COURTESY OF EMMA LULIS PHOTOGRAPHY

Heather Trobridge wears her several cords and stoles for her graduation photos to represent all of her campus involvements, May 1, 2021.

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CT STAFF 2021-22

TORI WALKER editor-in-chief

LEXI SOLOMON managing editor

ABBIGALE EVANS managing editor

SYDNEY JOHNSON design editor

CELINA NG design editor

ETHAN CANDELARIO photo editor

ANISHA KOHLI photo editor

DEVIN SHEPARD sports editor

AMBER WILLIAMS sports editor

CLAIRE CASTAGNO sports editor

JULIANNE JOYCE opinions editor

ABBY DURRER opinions editor

DEANNA DRIVER social media editor

EMILY LOGUE social media editor

MOMIJI BARLOW news editor

SAVANNAH WEBB assistant copy editor

SEAN LYONS copy editor

MOLLY DYE lifestyles editor

OLIVIA FERRARE lifestyles editor