Dead Anne Walking

By Anne-Marie Bruzga

Alright, it’s almost 10 p.m. and I’m going into final hours of the final paper of my Gauntlet editorial career. I expected this last issue to be so hard. Instead, it’s been more like my Gauntlet wake, bordering on the surreal. Past editors and close friends have sent presents and cards, my family even sent flowers. I’m not dead yet, I wanted to tell them, but really the clock is ticking, deadline is approaching and my time is running down like the very last grains in an hourglass.

It’s been one hell of a trip for me. It’s been hard to choke back the memories today of five years of involvement. There were times I loved this paper more than myself, more than grades, more than sleep, more than horrid boyfriends, more than friends and family. It’s the place in which I sought refuge, the same place I waged war upon myself, and the very same place where I found peace. And ultimately, it forced me to stretch myself beyond what I thought capable. Ah, but a lot of people encouraged me do that and since this is my rant, I think I’ll thank them now.

Lisa Skierka, your encouragement, teaching, fierce loyalty and ability to give me and all those around you strength amazes me still. Val Jepson, you taught me the strength of diplomacy and, really, how to not let the little things get you down. Still, there are so many others that shaped and moulded me as great friends and great editors, particularly Katrina Barclay, Scott Clark, Cheri Hanson, Chris Koentges, Miki Stricker and Bob Wright and my former News Ass Robert Granger. All of you have meant so much in many ways–thanks.

Wow, I know I’m descending into a bad acceptance speech here, but really, this is my 500 word rant. Thanks has to go out to all this year’s editors and volunteers who have been so wonderful and worked so hard. You’ve made this paper and organization one in which we can all be proud. It’s been an honour to watch you grow and develop professionally and personally. I wish you all the best of luck next year. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Evelyn Cone, Ken Clarke and John Harbridge for being so supportive, helpful and especially for keeping the business side afloat. And Jan Creaser for organizing such a great Gauntlet conference. And Neal Ozano, the only good thing that’s ever come out of a cup conference. All of you have made this year fantastic and without you, I wouldn’t have made it through.

By choosing the Gauntlet, we have all given other things up, but I’ve never looked at it as a giant sacrifice. I’ve always received 10-fold out of the paper what I’ve put in–no, more. In the end, we all chose to take this route, and have either loved it or left. The Gauntlet remains a privilege; one of the most rewarding experiences you can have. I was honoured to share knowledge and learn from those around me. I will always be grateful for these experiences and I’ll treasure them as some of my best. I hope you’ll go on to build your own. Thank you.

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