Dear Odyssey, thank you.

When I was given the opportunity to join the SIU-C Odyssey team in the fall of 2016, I was so excited. As a journalism student, writing is my passion. I'm not saying that when I am told to write a 12 page paper on something, that I am going to dive in and enjoy every moment of it, but it comes as an easier task to me than it might to others. I do best when I can write about what I am passionate about and what is of interest to me. Writing for the Odyssey has given me that ability thus far.

I have always been pretty quiet and sometimes outspoken, which is what I think has driven me to want to become a writer in some shape or form. Being a senior in college, I have not had a lot of experience in writing professionally. I have not written for the school newspaper and have not had a writing internship. Being so close to graduation and having no experience, has scared the hell out of me. Now that I write for the Odyssey, I have so much more to show of myself.

The topics that I write about vary, as you could easily tell by looking through the various articles that I have written. I have never been one to just stick to a certain style of writing. I am an open book and like to write about pretty much anything that's on my mind.

I now have work to show job recruiters, which is pretty awesome. Those recruiters will also get to see my personality shine through my writing, which they might not have seen just by reading a sample piece of mine if I were to just write news stories for the school newspaper. I may have not gotten a lot of views or engagements with all of my articles, and that's ok. Just knowing that I am getting my voice out there somehow, makes me happy.

If I can write an article that someone can really connect to or that will brighten someone's day a little, I will feel as if I succeeded.

I thank everyone who has read anything that I have written thus far, and thank those who will continue to read. Just having that support means the world to me. I also want to thank the Odyssey for giving me the ability to have a voice and to express my thoughts, feelings and concerns. I never know when my last article will truly be my last for the Odyssey, but I am just so thankful for everything that it has given me so far.

Thank you.