Cindy, Cecilia and Abigail Escobedo, from left, throw their caps into the air while posing for a portrait wearing their graduation outfits at their home on the Sunday, May 22, 2022, in Covina, California.
(Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Whether this is the first or hundredth time you’ve read the Xavierite, you can tell at first glance that this is a labor of love. Countless hours of work go into creating this paper every week, but the six graduating seniors on staff can all attest that it’s well worth it.
Though we’re sad to leave, we’re happy to be leaving behind award-winning articles, dozens of inside jokes, and these final words of wisdom.
“Slow down.” – Grace Van Cleave
Our fearless Editor-in-Chief, Grace Van Cleave is graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with a track in Sports and a minor in Writing.
Now that she’s passing the torch to the next generation of Xavierite editors, she’ll be able to devote more time to hobbies like painting that have taken a backburner during recent years.
“I really want to take time for myself and get back into doing things I love that I had to put on hold to focus on my education,” she says.
Her advice for underclassmen is to slow down and not burn yourself out.
As she puts it, “This isn’t high school, you don’t have to be involved in everything under the sun to have a good time.”
Van Cleave’s presence will be dearly missed, along with her relentless drive to push everyone around her to improve and strive for excellence.
“Take it seriously.” – Nuala Hanlon
Nuala Hanlon, our Deputy Editor-in-Chief, is also graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication.
Her academic prowess doesn’t end there, however. Once she’s “saved up,” Hanlon hopes to pursue a doctorate.
Even when she’ll be tirelessly working on her dissertation, Hanlon won’t easily forget her time at the Xavierite. She fondly recalls when staff stood in the parking lot to watch the solar eclipse together.
“The memory never fails to bring a smile to my face, and I hope future writers at the Xavierite get to make as many meaningful memories as I have,” she shared.
Her advice is to not take anything for granted.
“I could not wait to get started with life post college,” Hanlon vowed, now finding herself wishing she “could somehow invent a time machine” to relive the past few years.
Hanlon will be missed for her patience and unmatched ability to always have a kind word to share.
“Get involved.” – Annamarie Piattoni
Though she only took up the role of Promotions Director recently, Annamarie Piattoni immediately became an integral part of the Xavierite staff.
Her social media expertise is unsurprising when you learn that she’s graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Marketing.
Piattoni’s advice is to get involved with something you love because it might bring people you love into your life as well.
“I didn’t get involved in clubs or activities until my senior year,” she laments. “I would have made so many more friends if I started getting involved initially.”
Piattoni’s dazzling spirit will be missed as well as her single-handed revival of the Xavierite’s TikTok account.
“Talk to people.” – Marissa Reilly
Our longest-tenured staff member, Marissa Reilly is graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in English.
Though her personality is the brightest in the room, Reilly is ironically allergic to the sun. To spread her light in a more controlled environment, she hopes to pursue a career in Library Science after graduation.
Her advice is to take the first step and reach out to people around you to form connections early on.
“Making friends in college is about getting out of your comfort zone,” she says. “Learning this too late could cost you some great memories.”
Reilly will be missed for her sweet disposition and great hugs.
“Stand your ground.” – Giuliana Islas
Giuliana Islas has too many accomplishments to count, but her role as Opinions Editor is a great place to start.
Also graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Islas has a lengthy history of journalistic integrity and leadership within the Xavierite.
Her passion for the written word extends to her piece of advice: speak out and stand your ground.
“Sometimes, people will try to silence you or tell you your ideas aren’t worth hearing, but you have a voice for a reason, so make sure to speak up about what you believe in.”
Islas will be missed for her endless perseverance in the pursuit of honest communication and her ability to make anyone laugh at the drop of a hat.
“It’ll pass.” – Shealyn Scott
And then there was me!
I was lucky enough to be both a Copy Editor and a Features Contributor. I’ll be graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in English with a Global Literature concentration along with minors in History and Writing.
My advice to anyone reading this is to remind yourself that everything is temporary. Whatever fear, pain, or sadness you’re shouldering will pass with time.
In the end, I truly believe everything works out in the way it’s meant to. So if it isn’t yet resolved, it isn’t yet the end.
Unfortunately, our time at the student paper has come to an end. However, the joy and pride we’ve felt working for the Xavierite has given us far more than resolution: it’s given us the greatest memories we could ask for.
On behalf of all the graduating seniors on staff, thank you for reading and goodbye.
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