[Originally published: May 5, 2016 in The Ionian]

“Where are you?”

“The Ionian office.”

But that almost did not even become a possibility…

I signed up to join the Ionian at the Involvement Fair freshman year, as I did with many other clubs. I wrote down my name, my email and “sports” for the answer to what I would be interested in writing about. Also at the Ionian table, I picked up the first issue of the paper, which included a little sticker with the information about the organization’s first meeting.

Fast forward to the following week about 10 minutes before the general staff meeting. I walk up to the top floor of LaPenta and join about 15 other people waiting outside of the Ionian office, and I begin thinking to myself.

I’m thinking … “Do I want to join the Ionian?” “The Ionian is Michael’s thing. (Michael is my brother, who graduated from Iona in 2008, wrote for the Ionian and served as an editor.) Should I leave it as his territory, and I’ll find something else?”

I was very tempted to walk away before the wooden door to the office ever opened. And I can’t imagine what my life would be like if I had decided to do that.

As it turned out, I chose to stick around and to see what the Ionian was all about. A few minutes later, one of the editors opened the door, allowing everyone entrance into the office.

As I passed through the doorway, the thought running through my head was “This is going to change your life.”

I can honestly say that looking back now, nearly four years later, that statement was more prophetic than I could have ever imagined at the time.

I never dreamed about being Editor-in-Chief. All I wanted to do was write about sports, but when I was presented with the opportunity to take the position, I could not turn it down.

From the amazing mentors and editors that came before me, I knew that I could take the lessons that I had learned from them to run the paper.

It is hard to believe all the amazing opportunities I have been afforded at Iona. From attending the Scholarship Gala at the Waldorf-Astoria to reporting on the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium to being courtside for a pair of MAAC basketball championships, my time at Iona has been incredible.

But this journey would not be the same without the outstanding people I have surrounding me. First and foremost, my family is second-to-none. The friends I have made here are truly life-long companions. The professors and staff have been so supportive and helpful.

As we are in the homestretch, I take solace in the fact that Megan Mitchell will be taking over as Editor-in-Chief. There is nobody that I am more confident in to run the paper. She is going to do a fantastic job. I know that all the editors are going to excel next year.

To conclude, Iona College and the Ionian will always hold a special place in my heart as I can truly say “Once a Gael, Always a Gael.”

http://www.ioniannews.com/gallery/article_bf0a9a06-1462-11e6-bb2a-6be4fb4b23e8.html