Senior Farewells: Maddie Bagdonas

As my time at Troy comes to an end, I have begun to reflect on all of the amazing memories I have made here. Cheering at the collegiate level for the first time, finding my people in a new place, winning the Sun Belt in football, cheering to a bowl game, competing on a national level and so many other moments have made my time here unforgettable. There are a few moments that are truly more memorable than any of those things.

My journey to journalism was not conventional. When I was younger, all I wanted to do was cheer and dance. As I got older, I still didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. Working in sports was always on my mind because I had spent so much time on the sidelines, right in the middle of the action. I loved being there. It felt like a safe space.

When I first arrived at Troy, I wanted to study athletic training. I knew I would still be around athletes and sports, which was a huge plus for me. However, I quickly realized that it was not my calling. I decided to talk to my advisor about switching my major.

She asked what I liked to do, and that was a hard question for me to answer. I told her I love sports and I love to talk. Easy enough, right? She suggested I look into journalism, and I was so surprised. I had never seriously thought of journalism, but it almost immediately felt right.

So, I switched my major to broadcast journalism. However, I did not get involved right away like most people do. I was still cheering and had a busy schedule, so even though I was occasionally on the midday show at Trojan Vision, I was not consistent. For a while, I was still trying to figure out where I fit within journalism. My story truly started my senior year, when I decided to step away from the one thing I knew and fully step into a new environment.

When I started writing for The Tropolitan, I was assigned to volleyball as my first beat. At the time, I did not know much about the sport, but I had already told myself I would not turn down any opportunity. So, I asked questions, learned as much as I could about the team, and worked to understand the sport well enough to write stories I was proud of.

As the year went on, I realized how much I truly loved writing. When I was younger and even in high school, you couldn’t get me to write anything. I did not like writing whatsoever. But when I got the chance to write about sports, it felt natural.

The Tropolitan not only allowed me to grow in my skills, but it also helped my love for sports grow into something I could not imagine my life without. This year, I have experienced so many life lessons that meant more than any win. I found people who welcomed me in and helped build me into a more confident person, writer, and friend.

I am so thankful to have had such great leaders and classmates. Dr. Cooper, you have had such a big impact in my life. Your kindness and helpful spirit have taught me so much. I could never repay you for the guidance you’ve given me and the confidence you helped me gain as a woman working in sports. Going into this profession was scary at first, but with your guidance and words of wisdom, I truly have never been more excited for what is ahead.

To all of my classmates who have helped me along the way, you have a special place in my heart. As someone who came in hoping to find new friendships during my final year of college, you have all made my final year at Troy the best one.

As I finish my final days at Troy, one quote keeps coming to mind. In the wise words of Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”