Senior Farewells: Elizabeth Odee

When I was about to leave for college, I heard from almost every adult in my life: “Those four years will be gone in a blink of an eye.” To 18-year-old me, that seemed impossible. I didn’t realize how true it really was until that cap and gown were sitting on my bed, staring me down.

I mean, just yesterday, I was moving into my freshman dorm and going to every Welcome Week event that was offered. I was learning the ropes of campus and getting used to a college class schedule. I was so overwhelmed by the options of clubs and organizations to join that I honestly wanted to forget them entirely.

I only started writing for the Tropolitan in my junior year, and I deeply regret not joining when I was presented with the opportunity as a freshman. I thought I wouldn’t be good enough, or that journalism wasn’t my strong suit, but that didn’t matter. I’ve always known that I wanted to tell stories, and the Trop gave me that outlet.

Writing for the Tropolitan pushed me out of my comfort zone in new ways. As a shy person by nature, interviewing people was difficult for me at first. However, I found that I enjoyed listening to people talk about their passions. Sharing others’ stories gave me a sense of fulfillment I didn’t know I was missing.

I want to thank Dr. Cooper for giving me this opportunity to write for the Tropolitan and to share stories. I want to thank my editors and friends, Neela Cole and Katy Clark, for supporting me throughout this journey. I seriously could not have done this without you guys. I also want to thank Mr. Orlofsky, for pushing the boundaries of my writing, and Dr. Brown, for challenging my limits in class.

I finally want to thank my friend and roommate, Sarah Campbell, for getting me into this. She’s the one who convinced me to go to my first Trop meeting, and I haven’t looked back since.

Even though my time here comes to a close, I can’t help but feel as though I’m just beginning. Routines are falling into place. Friendships are growing. I won’t lie; it hurts to know that I have to leave when things feel like they’re just now getting to the good part.

But maybe, at this stage of life, that means it’s time for me to move on. Maybe it’s time for me to step out of my comfort zone again, like I did when I joined the Trop. I have to take what I learned here and apply it to the next chapter of my life. Thank you, Tropolitan, for preparing me for my next step, whatever that may be.

“All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time.” – Mitch Albom