Senior Farewells: Matilda Ziegler

I never thought I could write for a newspaper. Coming into college, I thought my opinions and beliefs were unimportant, small and not worth articulating. After all, who cares what a teenage girl from rural Appalachia has to say?

Emily Mosier, a previous editor-in-chief for the Trop who I had the honor of competing alongside on the debate team, encouraged me to start submitting opinions, and eventually to apply for a scholarship with the paper. Nervously, in January of 2025, I submitted my first opinion article, “Donald Trump’s executive order to expand death penalty is based on false reasoning.” I never expected anyone outside of my mom and one close friend to read this article, or to care what I had to say about such a topic.

I’m glad I was wrong. Over 130 people read the article on our website, and multiple readers of the physical paper reached out to me to encourage me to keep writing. I did, and now, I’ve written weekly Trop articles for over a year.

Through trial, error and feedback from my editors, I’ve come a long way in learning how to combine my knowledge of history, philosophy, politics and the environment to successfully articulate my opinions on various topics in a way that is accessible to my readers.

I’ve had the immense privilege of being able to write articles about topics that are near and dear to my heart, such as the lack of federal aid to Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, LGBTQ+ rights, and the importance of the study of philosophy.

The Trop has grown and stretched me, and, as a student of history and philosophy, given me invaluable insight into the world of journalism. While, as all of my friends and colleagues at the Trop and my readers know, I am opinionated to the core, I greatly admire the ability of my colleagues at the Trop to put their personal beliefs aside and be neutral journalists with integrity.

It is rare to come across a group of people who are as hardworking and dedicated to their craft as the Trop staff. I’ve watched other staff writers and contributors repeatedly stretch themselves and put themselves out of their comfort zones to better hone their craft.

I’ve watched Dawson and Katy, and countless others, go above and beyond in order to make the Trop the best that it can be. My fellow writers are, in many ways, who I strive to be, and I try to emulate their dedication and work ethic in all areas of my life.

Although I do not intend to pursue journalism full-time after my graduation in May, the skills that I have developed throughout my time at the Trop have helped me greatly in my quest to become a better historian.

Thank you, Tropolitan, for giving me a voice and helping me to develop the confidence in my own abilities that has helped me succeed. You’ve helped me grow more than you know.