Out of the probable hundreds of articles I’ve written for The Weekly, opinion pieces and editorials were always the most difficult. It’s not that I’m not opinionated — trust me, every one of the staff knows that I am. It’s that I’ve never liked talking about myself. I like to tell other people’s stories, not my own. So, for my final article, that’s what I’ll do.
After joining the paper at the same time as Greg Kantor, the first interaction I had with him was an argument over who would write an article about the now-defunct ice hockey team. I didn’t think then that we would ever be friendly; how do you get along with someone that tried to steal your article?
Greg is still stereotypically Long Island loud and a really weak six-foot-one, but he’s also the person that pushed my writing and patience the most. Despite my, at times, emotion-fueled outbursts or negative reactions to my articles, Greg has always been there to remind me why I write and defend the work I publish.
When he first became editor-in-chief, I wondered “why not me?” Now, two years later, it’s not even a question. There’s no one that does their job as well or with as much dedication as Greg.
The layout crew — and the corner office filled with loud music and endless snacks — is sometimes an enigma. But without Emily, Ian and Jack, there wouldn’t be a paper, at least not one as good looking as the current publication. And, without them, I don’t think I’d be able to get through Tuesday production, regardless of how many times I roll my eyes when Jack asks me to do something.
Chloe, the office mom and deserving future EIC, has ruined my diet with candy-filled gift bags every holiday. She cares more than anyone gives her credit for and, hopefully, one day she’ll change the world with her words.
Matt took over as sports editor and has done a far better job than I ever did. In exchange for letting me vent about hockey or critique the administration, I’ve written more about baseball this year than my entire time at The Weekly because I write every article he pitches — and yes, that’s a pun about Matt playing baseball — because they’re all that good.
Melissa’s passion for comics and theater is unmatched. Lauren is more cultured and artsy than I could ever hope to be and Brooke, well, I wish I had a soul as kind as hers. Will Wamser is too sarcastic and witty for his own good but will, without a doubt, be the greatest mayor Allentown’s ever seen.
The point of all this is The Weekly wouldn’t be what it is without each of these people, and neither would I. This newspaper has given and taught me a lot over four years and I’ll actually miss spending most of my free time writing for or producing our paper. There’s something special about it and the people that make it and, even without Greg, Jack and myself (as much as it pains me to include myself in this article), I know The Weekly will continue to thrive in the years to come.
