Approachability.

To the George-Anne Media Group,

When I started here as a freshman, I joined because I felt like I had to “join something” just to belong. 

I was absolutely terrified and convinced everyone would judge me, but what I didn’t realize then was that this terrifying place would become my community and the home that supports me through everything.

I’ve spent four years in this program, three and a half of those as your Editor-in-Chief. 

It’s a title I almost hate to brand because it’s so hard to believe, but it has defined my time at Georgia Southern. 

We have been through a total roller coaster together—from the early days at Forest Drive in a small space the size of a shoebox to a place that finally feels like a home (and actually has more than four desks).

Through the happy days, the sad days, and every “in-between” day, I realized the most important thing is to lead with approachability. 

It is about being the person holding their arms open, listening to everything you have to say, and telling you, “It’s okay, and I hear you”.

I want to give a huge shout-out to the people who made this possible:

• Tyler: 

Thank you for holding me grounded. You keep me stable, and you keep my head straight. You are always willing to do daily walks with me. It means a lot that you look out for me. You are insanely talented, and your involvement in everything makes me continue to want to be involved with many different things and express my talents in many different ways.

• Kaylee: 

You’re always being bubbly and have a warm heart. I think you are someone that I just feel so comfortable around and that I know will always lift me up when I’m in times of trouble. Also, I can’t get over how amazing your artwork is and how creative you are and of course your obsession with Abbott Elementary gets me happy every single time. Your artistic eye is so elegant in everything that you do.

• John: 

Oh, John Wright, where do I start? You have helped me become more silly and goofy. You have really pushed me out of my shell and helped me talk to people that probably don’t wanna talk to me  (I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not). I also love hearing everything that you have to say, your wonderful thoughts, and talking with you is always a joy.

• Mia: 

Oh Mia, where do I start? Girl, all I gotta say is when I need you, you’re there. It’s just like anything—you’re there if I need extra water, you’re there if I need a hug, you’re there if I need to rant. You’re such a reliable person, and I’m just very thankful to have you to turn to, to talk to, to rant to.

• Dominique: 

My reporter and staff reporter for a good majority of the time. I’m glad to call you one of my best friends, and without you, I think I’d be so lost, and we honestly wouldn’t have even had a team in the first place. Truthfully, I have you to thank for contributing, for never giving up, and also for always believing in the mission of the Mosaic.

• Izzy: 

You help me to become more fashionable and more confident, but there’s something about you that’s so soft and so charismatic that I wouldn’t change it for the world. You’re the tallest person, and I have to look up to you, but literally, I do look up to you. There’s just something about you that’s very inspirational, and it’s a model-like characteristic that I would love to embody. Also, travel the world and do anything because you truly can.

• Maddie: 

Even though I just met you, I’m glad to call you one of my best friends as well. I’ll never lose contact with you, and I’ll always text you. I just relate to you since you’re just so relatable, and I just see a version of myself in you. I could talk to you endlessly for hours and hours, and I wouldn’t get bored. Also, you are always giving me a confidence boost, and I just have you to thank for that.

• Shaniya: 

Without you, I would have nobody to go through all of this with. You’ve been with me since the beginning. It’s sad to say that we wouldn’t be able to graduate together, but I’m still happy to be a part of your journey. You’re just an inspirational woman who will always persevere through anything, and you’ve been through a bunch, especially with this program. I just know that there’s something about you that’s gonna excel.

• Cam Cam:

Oh my girl, Cam or the girl with the cam. You are just everything—it’s just your go, go, go, go, go, you don’t stop, you’re always going, you’re persevering, you’re pushing through. You also are creative as hell, and your artistic vision in your photography, as well as the way that you carry yourself, is absolutely eccentric. I’m so glad to call you my friend.

• Vanessa Alcala: 

Trust me, I didn’t forget you! I could say 70,000, even a million things about you, but the biggest thing about you that I adore is that something about you is so bright and so cheery. If I had to put one word into it, it’s “everlasting”. You have everlasting love and joy, and even though you don’t feel it sometimes, you just have everlasting welcome for everyone and anyone who comes to you. I am just so envious of your organizational skills and all your ideas—I wish I could have your ideas sometimes. You are truly a model for me as a person, and I look up to you. You have truly impacted my life and changed my life for the better.  You have been there for every single turn and twist that I’ve been through, and you have been my number one fan, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

• Justine: 

I think of you as the second mom to me. I look up to you in so many ways you can’t even imagine. You are effortlessly disciplined, and that’s something that I want to grow in. You inspired me to better myself and push myself, but also realize that it’s okay to take breaks, and it’s okay to have that space. You pushing me and you holding me to the standards have helped me become a better person, and I’m very thankful to have you as an advisor. I think the program’s future is right with you.

Okay, here comes the Waterworks,

• Jules: 

Last but not least. I hope you understand when I say this, but what I have to think about you is just more than life itself. I just see so much of myself in you, and your guidance has truly changed my life. There are some days that I thought that I wouldn’t be able to be here, and because you texted me, because I saw you, it just made life just a little bit better for me to live a little bit longer. You have shown me what a powerful woman is—a powerful woman who can do anything, be creative, and also have a full-time job. I just can’t truly put it into words the way you understand me, and the way that I’m so thankful that you understand me, and you take the chance to open your heart to me and accept me for who I am and the struggles that I go through.

Here’s my last thank you and my goodbye, but hopefully “see you later” or “see you sometime” to the George-Anne Media Group. 

I’m thankful for the happy days, the sad days, and the in-between days. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’m so glad to call this place my second home.

GATA forever and always.

Carly Kennedy Editor-in-Chief, 2022-2025