If you were to ask me four and a half years ago what I would be doing with my final semesters of college, there is no way I would have thought this is where I would be. I was attending architecture school in Nebraska before deciding to make a big change and move to the hills to pursue a degree in graphic design. Soon after, I chose photography as my second degree, which is one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. It’s incredible how much can change in such a short time.
They say you meet some of the most influential people in your life in college, and, looking back on my years here at Black Hills State, I can wholeheartedly stand behind that. I have been able to dive into who I am and what I can do as a creative, make lifelong friends, and now have an abundance of mentors I know I will always be able to count on.
This is why I love it here and why this semester has been so bittersweet. I can’t even remember a time when I wasn’t looking forward to graduating, but now that it is here, all I can do is reminisce on all of the unforgettable memories I have created here. I can look at the challenges I have faced in and out of school and be proud of what I have accomplished because of this program and the faculty that make it all happen. It makes it so easy to want to be here when the professors really care about who their students are and push us to become the best versions of ourselves.
Going into the program, I did not expect to be the Editor of a student-run magazine, but I have enjoyed nothing more than being a part of the start of something so unique. Being a contributor to the inaugural issue of Ponder was such a new and exciting experience. I had never helped build something of this magnitude from the ground up. Seeing all the moving parts fall into place opened my eyes to the possibilities my career choice offers. Being a part of this magazine has given me a chance to travel to new places, connect with interesting people, and work with a great group of my fellow students, all while learning new ways to do things and building a photography and design portfolio that I can be proud of.
After months of hard work, late nights, last-minute edits, and plenty of Red Bull, the first issue of Ponder was nothing short of a success. We reached communities throughout the region and made a lasting impression when we received Design Runner-up in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) 2024 National Student Magazine Competition. When something like this happens, things are put into perspective and start to feel real; I was really able to see the talent that I was and am surrounded with here at BH.
So, when I was asked to be the Editor-in-Chief of the second issue of Ponder, I was more than happy to continue building on what we started, and that is exactly what we have done. I want to say thank you to my team and everyone who has made this magazine a reality. Being a student here and a part of Ponder has really added to who I am and who I will always strive to be.
This is a community I will greatly miss and cherish as I start this new chapter. That being said, I can not wait to see what my fellow students and friends bring to Ponder in the next few years. I have high hopes for the future of Ponder and the continued success of my peers. It can only go up from here!
