Dear Hilltop Views,

First, I think we should face what I’d call some “hard truths.” What I’m referring to of course is being a non-denominational Christian who’s exposed daily to that cheesy Southern contemporary Christian rhetoric.

1. Three years ago, Jena Heath let me — a freshman with no journalism experience who wrote fluffy, padded things like “the important bill will assist students through community outreach” and thought they were good — join you because, and only because, no one else asked for the position and you desperately needed a Viewpoints editor.

2. I love writing, but I joined you with only two shallow motivators in mind: resume content and a paycheck.

But I received a lot more than two resume bullet points and biweekly gas money. Working for three years on you (or with you, or for you — however you see it), I experienced all that gushy, sentimental HV stuff people usually talk about in these farewells: finding your best college friends, learning to love working Friday nights, laughing at clever headlines until your “ribs get tough,” etc. etc.

And by the end of my time with you, my motives weren’t selfish anymore. I wanted to help writers develop. To tighten and brighten their writin’. To morph into mini-Jacob Sanchez’s and Jena Heath’s. I tried to do this by challenging but also celebrating writers. I really hope I did that well — especially the celebrating part. 

Anyway HV, I’m so thankful for you and for the people to whom you introduced me. Please tell them — these people especially — that there’s no way I can thank them enough: Jena, Sara, Raneem, Jacob, Amber, Jasmine, Rosemond, Kayla, Taylor, etc. etc. etc.

Love,

Hannah