Sappy, Sentimental Senior Send-Off

Erin-Leigh Hoffman photographed in November 2023. Photo by Ava Battinelli '26

I’m an open book, and I like to share my life with others. Part of being a writer and a journalist is being able to tell stories and intimately share pieces of our lives at times. In the spirit of that, I want to be candid with you as I leave a critical chapter of my life.

It was before my night class on a Wednesday that I was feeling the punch of rejection and an encompassing wave of self-doubt. I’d never felt so dejected and uninspired. It made me reflect on this sadness and try to relinquish some of it to a higher power (or at least put it on the back burner -- I had rehearsal after class). I had thrown in the towel and in that moment, my mind went to just coasting to graduation.

I’m out with the same friend the same weekend and a young woman comes up to me to ask if I was Erin-Leigh. I say yes, and she reminds me how I held the door open for her in the Student Center recently where I complimented the Sketchers she had on. It's a great shoe, I had them on too. She tells me that she’s read a lot of what I’ve written for the Circle. In fact, she and her friends sat in the dining hall once to analyze a piece I wrote about being a teenage girl in her 20s. They discussed the piece, and she said it was “silent reading time.”

I’m really terrible at taking compliments, and even writing about myself in this capacity is scary. Putting that fear aside, what she did for me was affirm the idea that the words of this publication don’t fall on deaf ears and someone is speaking your name without your knowledge in an appreciative, thoughtful manner. 

Being involved in the Circle since the fall of my freshman year in 2020 has been exceptionally rewarding. I’ve worked with incredibly kind, thoughtful and talented people, whose ideas inspire me and remind me of the importance of journalism. The greatest pleasure is being able to sing the praises of a writer who has grown and created great journalism, even as a student with everything else going on for them. When editors before me like Lauryn, Greta, Alexis and Sarah took the time to affirm the work I had done in a quick email or comment during a meeting, it inspired me to keep going and spread the same kindness to the Circle writers I’d go on to work with as opinion editor and managing editor. 

I feel so thankful for our readership and that the words we write create moments for others that we don’t always know about. It’s moments like that which make journalism one of the most rewarding facets of my life, and I am grateful beyond measure for the Circle and to those who read what we write.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman '24, Lauryn Starke '23 and Emily Stellakis '23 at IBM for President Joe Biden's visit in October 2022. Photo courtesy of Erin-Leigh Hoffman '24.

I can’t leave this off without “thank you’s” to some very important people. Sam Murphy ‘24, thank you for putting up with my jumbled text messages and believing I could come into managing editor. Emily Stellakis ‘24, you inspire me every single day, and I can’t say how thankful I am for your encouragement and guidance as I took your job (and almost your room). Mackenzie Boric ‘24, when I’ve lost my brain cell, I know it’s with you. You bring me such happiness and joy, and working with you has been one of my greatest pleasures. Rebekah Hendricks ‘24, I know you “literally just got here,” but you make my days brighter. You are going to go so far as a journalist and photographer. I’m glad we finally spoke a word to each other in Newswriting and now we are incapable of being quiet. Lindsey Clinton ‘27 and Kyle Esoian ‘25, I have faith that you will make the Opinion section your own with great stories. I’m extremely excited to watch you both take on this role. Andrew Breen ‘25 and Erin Holton ‘25, I’m so proud of you both, and I am eager to see you both work together as managing editors (Andrew, just be sure to get a Grammarly subscription to help you spell). Emma Denes ‘25, you are beyond dedicated to this paper and to journalism as a whole. As you enter into the editor-in-chief role, you continue a legacy of exceptional women who’ve led the Circle to where it is now, and it’s been an honor to work with you and watch you grow. 

I’m almost done. Dr. Lerner, I’m sorry I called you “Kevin” the very first time I emailed you. I’m glad you didn’t write me off right there, and you’ve been an unbelievable influence to me as an advisor and mentor. Professor Basinger, what is there to say that I haven’t already said? You’ve educated me on a side of journalism I wasn’t sure I was capable of, but it turns out I can do it well enough to photograph the president at least decently. You’ve done more than you know for me and others. Professor McNulty, you showed me what discipline and empathy can be together, and you’re an incredible role model to me as a young woman who wants to follow in your footsteps. 
Bella, your kind words that night meant more than you know. You’re part of a readership on campus that makes the paper what it is, and it solidifies our goal to inform the student body. You made my last few weeks on campus, and I hope you can keep doing Circle reading club with your friends.