letter editorfrom the

scholar, a writer, an editor, and a collaborator. This is almost entirely due to the faculty and their constant encouragement, their engaging, relevant classes, and their genuine mentorship. I would be remiss if I didn’t spotlight the English department here, as I am a better reader, writer, and scholar at the end of this whole thing. And it’s all your fault.

CARSYN MEYERS arts & lit editor

CODI WOOD

Sports Editor Reviews

CAROLINA SALLES

STEVEN PRYOR

Marketing Director

RYAN JANOWITZ

Photo Editor

SARAH ROSE LARSON

Advisor

ROB PRIEWE

Web Editor Contributors

BRENDA AUTRY

JOSH CANDÉ

KAILEY LEGIER

KACEY MONTGOMERY

SHEA PEDERSEN

KATIE REYNOLDS

RYAN SPARKS we’ve arrived at the end of our term, and the opening of a new season. March marks the moment of a pivot, the time of transition. Things are beginning to begin all over again. They’re starting to come alive after being stuck in slumber, suspended in snow and slowness, dampened down by the rain and grey. Winter holds us all a little hostage, whether she means to or not. So when Spring shows up, it’s a real white horse moment. It’s the light that reminds us there’s something new around the corner. That a shift is in the works. I love Spring for this reason, and it also gets me a bit antsy — even when the change is a bright one, it’s still something new. And new is going to feel uncomfortable.

Roadrunners and loyal readers, it is written with some weight when I say this will be my final letter to you all. I am graduating from LB after this term, making my way over to OSU to finish up my degree in Creative Writing. While I’ve known the timeline since the beginning of my reign as Editor-in-Chief, while the plan has been etched and set from the start, this departure is still of the bittersweet variety. In the past 15 years, I have tried three different colleges, dropping out of each one, before living some chapters and landing in the right time, the right place, and eventually the right school. Linn-Benton has reignited the way I think, and the way I think about myself. It is here that I’ve been able to build myself up as a

I’ve been downright privileged to work with such a strong and creative newsroom team, one that has been integral to bringing you the meaningful stories and shining artwork that consistently line our pages. Rest assured, they will continue to do just that. The Commuter will constantly take shape and take on the ideas and voices of the individuals behind the pen. This is the beauty behind the entire publication, and I consider myself jackpot lucky to have gotten to lead the charge these past two terms. I’ve had the opportunity to try out ideas and manifest all my ink and paper dreams, rearranging the commas and building up the columns, in hopes of bringing you a treasurable collection of words and pictures. It has been a challenge. It has been a push. And I gotta say, it’s been a true-blue pleasure.

So, thank you. Thank you for your encouragement and support, whether in person or online, local or thousands of miles away. Thank you for being the best audience in the house. And from the bottom of the page to the top, until all the ink runs dry, thank you for reading.

Rest up, Roadrunners. Things might be changing and shifting for you, and it might feel funny, and it’ll also be okay. Warmer days are on the rise, and as always, The Commuter will

Leah Biesack Editor-in-Chief