One of the biggest things Tower prides itself on being is a tight-knit group of aspiring writers. We are one big family, and no matter your position, you are easily able to find your place within the community. As Editor in Chief, you are bound to form close relationships with your peers. I have gotten to know fellow leadership particularly well, having spent quite a majority of my senior year with other print editors. I lean on them for help and amusement, I trust them and I can say that I am truly happy to be around every single one of them, for the most part.

That is until one fateful Monday evening, during one of our infamous Tower deadlines. Deadline typically runs around five hours, and takes place after an already exhausting school day. Those of us who have to be there from the beginning all the way up until the end, myself included, rely on caffeine and an array of snacks to get us through the afternoon. The editors have a tradition of ordering several drinks for those who need the pick-me-up. On this day though, a particular editor decided to make the trip to the Starbucks on Kercheval, returning with only a single drink for herself.

Imagine: your trustworthy friend and editor asks you to open the door closest to room 144. When you go to the door to retrieve her, you see a drink in her hand. Obviously your friend would not have gone to Starbucks without asking for your go-to order of an iced chai latte, so you look down at her feet to search for the cardboard carrier tray with the rest of the drinks. Nothing. It is safe to say this horrific moment broke the trust between all of the staffers at deadline and that particular editor. The rest of deadline was ominously quiet. We had quite literally all experienced the ultimate betrayal.

Clearly, this moment is still ingrained in my mind, and although it will be for the rest of my life, I can truly say I appreciate each and every single Tower staffer, even those who have previously deceived me. I thank them for going through this incredible journey alongside me. Being Editor in Chief has been an experience that I will forever cherish for all of the moments, good and despicable.

With love, your Editor in Chief,
Caya Craig

P.S if she’s reading this, you owe me a latte.