Here’s to two and a half years: a goodbye letter

BY ASHTYN HANSARD

Digital Media Director

When I first came to Tarleton State University as a digital media studies major, I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do with it. I just knew I loved the arts and always had an appreciation for storytelling, so what better than to focus on video production?

Turns out, that was just the first step to get me onto my truth path of writing.

Now, as an English major with a focus in creative writing, I can confidently say that I wouldn’t have found the right place for me at Tarleton if it weren’t for the J-TAC/Texan News Service (TNS) building that bridge for me to find out how much I love writing.

When I first joined TNS in the spring of 2024, I was very worried that I wouldn’t have the skills to stick with it. I’ll admit that I originally joined for extra pocket money and for another opportunity to annoy my brother, Jaxon Hansard, who was a multimedia journalist for TNS at the time.

However, after writing my first article, a review over the movie adaptation of the Broadway version of “Mean Girls,” I realized that this was something I actually enjoyed. Analyzing films and character performances and getting to share them with others as a film review became one of my favorite topics for newswriting. That same semester, I switched my major to communications.

While I still wrote features and other sorts of articles for TNS and eventually the J-TAC, I always kept my eye on articles I could write that focused on books or films. At first, I chalked it up to just loving these forms of media, which I still do. However, I realized it was something more.

In the fall of 2024, I decided to take a risk and switch to an English major with a focus in creative writing. This was the best decision of my life.

Now, I’m not including this to knock down the communications majors, but to show how joining the TNS helped me understand that I didn’t just love the process of video production, but I love the story it portrays; and what better stories are there than the people around you?

Working at the J-TAC has taught me so much about what it means to be a writer: the effort needed for a good story, the importance of a picture and the impact you can have on a group or community just by sharing their story.

After working with this paper and with our advisor, Austin Lewter, for two and a half years, I can safely say that I’ve seen a lot of writers come and go, but have also made some friendships that will last a lifetime.

To my fellow graduating seniors, I’m so glad to be taking this step with you.

To Caroline, you have made such a great editor-in-chief this semester. Even when I got so stressed that I didn’t know what day it was, you never discouraged me, but instead found a solution to our problems with me. Thank you for being so patient, and I can’t wait to see what you do when you graduate.

To Brenna, you have become one of my favorite people here at the J-TAC. Our walks from our poetry class to walking into SMAC meetings 50 minutes late helped me keep my head on for the last bit of our time at Tarleton, and there’s no one else I’d rather talk about different forms of media with. You’re gonna kill it in life.

To the rest of the J-TAC, I’m so excited to see what you do with this lovely paper.

To Brooklyn, you’re going to continue to thrive at the J-TAC. I love your energy and passion for this paper, and I know you’re going to push this paper even further than what it’s already become. Keep on smiling like you always do, and keep writing great articles.

To Lindsey, I have so much respect for you as our art director. Watching you design the layout on paper nights with Chick-fil-A trips has always been a favorite part of the J-TAC for me, although I don’t know if you’d agree. You’ve changed this paper so much, and I can’t wait to see what you do with it next.

To Helena, I’m so happy that I have a hometown friend with me in that newsroom. Whether it’s a joke about something from high school or a question about someone back home, I’ve loved getting to see you every week and watch you flourish. Keep suggesting your wild article ideas and don’t change yourself one bit.

Of course, none of this could have happened if it weren’t for Lewter taking a chance on me.

To Lewter, thank you for having faith in my writing skills and being lenient with me as I did trial and error to find what I wanted to do with my life. I know you were hoping I’d stick with majoring in communications, but you also taught me to go for what I love. Know that if I ever publish a book, you’ll be getting a signed edition mailed directly to you, free of charge.

My college journey may not have been the smoothest, but I’m glad for the bumps along the way. I love the humanities and the J-TAC. Everyone I’ve ever worked with has been just as passionate as me about keeping this art form alive, and for that I can only be grateful.

Before I end this letter, I want to include two quotes from the movie that helped me realize why I write people’s stories, real or fictional.

“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world…You must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all,” said John Keating in “Dead Poets Society.”

Although I don’t graduate until August, my chapter at the J-TAC is closing, and I wouldn’t have wanted it with anyone else.

I encourage everyone reading this, whether you think you’re a writer or not, to find your passion and commit to it 100%. Have strength and trust in yourself. It may be a hard journey, but don’t wait until the last chapter ends to find out you wish you could rewrite your story. 

As my favorite book and movie series, “The Hunger Games,” says, “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” Don’t be afraid to take a risk and have hope in your future.