Sarah Guidry: A self-reflection from my time with Student Publications

My time working for Student Publications has been one of the greatest experiences in my time attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Joining the organization in the spring of 2021, we were just emerging into a semi-normal world after the COVID-19 pandemic. It was my good friends Julia McDow and Meg Norwood that encouraged me to join L’Acadien yearbook as a designer to relieve some of my financial worries. Being a visual arts major in college gets expensive fast.

As an animation major, I already had some skills, but joining the yearbook taught me new skills as well as strengthening my existing ones. This was my first professional job, so I was quite nervous to come into a whole new place not knowing much. The overall environment of the workplace was so inviting. Everyone I met was more than happy to teach me all I needed to know in order to be successful. From learning InDesign to how to properly communicate with others in a work environment, I learned it all from those people.

I began working for the other branch of Student Publications, The Vermilion, the following spring semester. I mainly created graphics for the Allons section of the newspaper, while still laying out spreads for the yearbook. There were some challenges as the newspaper had shorter deadlines, but it also benefited me as it meant I had constant work. Many of my friends in the yearbook also worked for the newspaper, so I had an easy time adjusting.

This fall semester I was offered two leadership roles at The Vermilion. With many of our head staff either graduating or moving into other roles, I became the managing and layout editor. With these titles came immense responsibilities. 

I had to assist our editor-in-chief, Adhamm Safford, in making sure every member of our organization was not only welcomed, but also making sure they were getting their assignments in on time. This became crucial on Sunday production nights, because as layout editor, my team would lay the entire paper out and I would compile the pages into a master layout to allow people to edit for any corrections before I would send it to be printed on Monday.

Along with these duties, I also learned how to be a good leader, how to communicate with people both above and below me and to balance relationships in and out of the organization. The flexible nature of this job made it perfect for the stresses of college life. In Student Publications, our academic and personal wellbeing was always priority over work, and I will forever appreciate that. 

In my time here, I have seen our organizations grow larger, stronger and earn awards for our achievements. I’m going to graduate this May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Art and Animation. While being so ready to see what life has in store for me, it is also sad to have to leave behind all my friends here at Student Publications. 

I want to first thank the entirety of the organizations as a whole. Every member is essential to our success, and it has been a pleasure meeting and knowing all of you. I would like to personally thank some of the head staff, coworkers and friends I’ve met through my time here. I’d like to thank Andre Broussard, Lena Foster, Adhamm Safford, Julia McDow, Meg Norwood, Ava Blanchard, Kay Padilla, Morgan Parker, Morgan Courville, Malik Jones, Alyus Dick, Isaac Henry, Charles Martin and Boyd Daniels. All of you have been the reason that I have continued to grow and improve myself not only in work but also in myself as a person. 

Now not to get all sappy, but there are a select few that became more than just coworkers or friends, but more of a family. Being in college can at times feel isolating. You’re far from home and your family, but I’ve been so lucky to find one in these people. Andre, Adhamm, Ava, Julia, Meg, Kay and Malik, I thank you all for being my home away from home. I could always count on you for support and comfort when I needed it most. It was the greatest experience to work with you and to also become friends with you. I will forever be grateful for your friendship.

Now for the man who made this all happen. Our amazing supervisor, Mr. Matthew Tarver, who hired me and gave me a chance to become who I am today. I want to thank you for always being there for me and every other staff member. Even being brand new to working, you were so warm and welcoming that I wasn’t as nervous. 

You have been like a father to so many of us at Student Publications. I always appreciated how you had your door to your office open and greeted me, often even inviting me to have a conversation with you. You always offered any wisdom and guidance you could, while also letting us grow into ourselves as leaders and people. You have truly had such a big impact on me and I will never be able to thank you enough for hiring me.

To everyone who I have known in my time in Student Publications, I can honestly say I will miss all of you. I will miss the Sundays with you all, putting the paper together and having fun conversations. 

I hope to any new members, you will enjoy and cherish your time in these organizations. I know I have, and I wish I could stay here and continue doing what I love with the people I love, but sadly it is time for me to head out. I’m going out into the scary real world, but I know with what I learned here, that it will not be so scary. Onto greater endeavors as they say.