Hello to my few and far between committed readers,

I am actually writing my very last Odyssey article, believe it or not.

I’m really appreciative of this chance I got to write for a platform like Odyssey. I appreciate that Muhlenberg College has an Odyssey community, as I am privileged enough to go to a school that has incredible opportunities for students, writers, and passionate young people.

Odyssey has given me a chance to share my life, and give my opinions, and gain experience as a writer.

When I began writing for Odyssey, I had barely begun to fling myself into the world of creative writing.

I remember seeing Odyssey articles pop up on my friends’ Facebook pages, and I really wanted in. I was beginning to become a writer, of things besides stellar assigned essays, and I craved a platform to share my ideas and “show off” my writing.

I remember the night I interviewed for the Odyssey; I was terrified and eager and inspired by this opportunity to write about anxiety and depression, sexuality, politics, college, and a million other topics, to which I could offer my views and advice to friends and family in my various communities.

Now I’ve written a total of 31 articles. I’ve been writing for over half a year! Looking back, I’m pretty proud of my coverage. I’ve spilled my words onto the page concerning mental illness, the Queer community, intersectional feminist issues, the election, relationships, the environment, pop culture, travel, the Olympics, and the Muhlenberg Community. It’s been quite a ride these last six months.

I’m so grateful that Odyssey and I have existed at the same time. I’ve benefited from this community that was created for people like me to discuss things that matter to me, that upset me, and that bring me joy.

I can’t stress enough how important it is to make room for platforms like this, like Odyssey. This is a vital space for young writers to share ideas, especially new ones, to debate controversy, and to develop writing and dialogue skills.

Whether you think Odyssey is a place to write lists and make people smile in this depressing world (Sorry, that got deep real fast, #thatescalatedquickly) or you think it’s a place for news from the millennial perspective, Odyssey is a good starting point for writers. I know that I, myself, plan to use this experience to move on from here, to continue to bigger and better things where I can write to create awareness and change.

So thank you, Odyssey. I hope my words will resonate inside your bones, dear reader. Go exist brilliantly.