CHLOE KOWALYK
Editor in Chief
Photo by Sherry Kowalyk.
I’ve earned many titles during my time here at Fredonia — a student, friend, club president, researcher, host, anchor, producer, station manager, Chancellor’s Award recipient — but I am the most proud of earning the title of Editor in Chief of The Leader.
No other aspect of my college career has led me through some of the hardest, yet most rewarding experiences as those I’ve had at The Leader.
I came into college in 2020 — right in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first club I joined happened to be The Leader, and it was here that I found a strong community of equally passionate students.
I started out by setting a goal for myself: to write at least one article for the paper each week. At the time, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing, and I hadn’t even switched my major to journalism yet (I actually started out as an English major!).
But what I did know was that I wanted to be a part of The Leader.
I wanted to take on that role as a reporter and get to know the campus around me. It was my way of socializing and meeting new people at a time when doing so was quite difficult.
It didn’t take long until I was asked to be a Staff Writer. I ran for the position and continued my goal of writing weekly. At the end of my freshman year, I ran for News Editor and began taking on more difficult, hard-hitting stories. I’ve covered topics ranging from the Kershnar situation, to food quality issues on campus, to the pandemic, to the program cuts.
The Leader taught me how to be fearless when tough stories and tough situations come up.
Serving as the News Editor also taught me the impact journalism can have. For instance, following my series of articles about the food on campus and the lack of allergen information provided to students, there was an increase in access to that allergen information. Willy C’s obtained a filtering Kiosk that allows you to see all vegan and vegetarian options separate from the normal menu. In addition, more allergen information was posted online.
At the end of my sophomore year, I was elected as the next Managing Editor.
This role was one I was excited to hold after witnessing a few incredibly talented alumni in this place before me.
I got the opportunity to work closely with the staff and even developed a strong relationship with the section editors I was managing. It was here that I made most of the friends I have on staff today.
My news coverage continued in this role, and I was even able to keep that weekly article goal, despite how crazy things would get with helping to run the paper.
At the end of my junior year, I was elected as the incoming Editor in Chief. And let me tell you, it was an incredible honor to take on this role. I had worked so hard in The Leader for the past three years, and now was my chance to finally lead the team. Although I was nervous coming in, I got to work with the greatest team I’ve ever witnessed.
I can honestly say that I’ve witnessed The Leader become such a strong, kind-hearted club that fights hard for what’s right.
Whether it’s working on the paper for long hours in the office, solving problems, writing and editing or even making the silliest memories with the rest of my staff, being involved in The Leader has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me.
Together, we have been a strong and important voice to our campus community, advocating for our fellow students and bringing a voice to those without one.
We have raised money and donated our time to various charity events. We were able to help some animals in need at Lakeshore Humane Society, as well as raise over $100 to help bring menstrual products onto campus. We have supported our peers in other organizations, and have worked hard to serve our community as best as we can.
Plus, we did all of this while continuously putting out strong issues of The Leader, editing, writing, drawing and working for long hours.
I can easily say I am so extremely proud of each and every one of you.
Outside of The Leader, I want to thank everyone for everything you have done for me, whether it was helping me through whatever crazy incident I got myself into, being a shoulder to cry on or even just being my friend.
I’ve learned that college, as cliche as it sounds, really is about finding yourself.
I feel as though throughout the past four years, I’ve lived so many lives. I have enough memories here to last me a lifetime.
For those of you who are still here for another year, or maybe are even just coming in, don’t take it for granted. These truly are the best years of your life.
I want to extend my thanks to the following people:
To The Leader staff:
Thank you for your hard work and enthusiasm towards The Leader. You’ve made my time here incredible, and I am so honored to have gotten to work with you.
You all have such bright futures ahead of you, and I’m looking forward to watching you lead The Leader to success from the other side. I have absolutely no worries, and I know The Leader is in great hands with all of you.
Keep fighting the good fight. Hold them accountable. Keep the stories coming. It’s up to us to facilitate that change and be that strength others are looking for.
I’ll be sure to keep reading!
To Elmer:
Thank you for taking my insane ideas for The Leader and helping me accomplish them.
Whether it’s allowing Lovercolumn to be written and included in our publication to okaying the Pool Party, you have always been one of my biggest supporters throughout my time here.
It’s because of you that I am where I am today, and I thank you for that.
To the faculty and staff:
Thank you to all of my professors and other staff members who have educated me, guided me and helped me throughout my academic journey.
I attribute a lot of my success to the great faculty and staff here at Fredonia.
Your expertise and your compassion for students like me has changed my life in more ways than you know.
To FRS:
In my time here, I have also been fortunate to work at our campus radio station, Fredonia Radio Systems.
In fact, within the past year or so, the bond between FRS and The Leader has grown so very strong.
I could not be happier to see this, as both organizations share a big part of my heart.
FRS has offered me some of the best support and encouragement I could ask for.
Thank you, FRS, for everything: the memories, the skills, the friends.
To my family:
My family is a big attribution to my success today.
I’d like to extend my gratitude to my parents, Sherry and Nick Kowalyk, and my grandparents, Joanne and Michael Ramsey, as well as Billy Back, for your continuous support of me. They have read nearly all of my articles, and have kept up on every issue. You’ve helped me to grow into the independent, strong woman I am today.
I could never have done it without you by my side.
To my friends:
Thank you for all you have done for me.
Whether it is playing Rockband in our living room late at night after a long day, starting radio shows together, traveling with me to conferences and to Albany, taking ice skating classes together, anchoring news with me, letting me cry and gossip over at the sports desk, going with me to shows, visiting Applebees and Denny’s late at night on a whim or even just being there to support me, I wanted to thank you.
To Hunter Halterman, thank you for being my biggest supporter here for the past four years. I am so eternally grateful for the time we have spent together so far, and I have you to thank for the advice and guidance you have provided me not just in The Leader, but also in life.
It is because of my friends that I can truly say that I have lived, and I am so happy with my college experience. If I’m being honest, I don’t want to say goodbye. I don’t want this time to end, and I can’t imagine my nights without you in them with me.
To the readers:
It’s because of you that The Leader has existed for about 200 years. Your continued support and contributions are what matter. It’s because of you that a student-run publication can continue to advocate for and represent us as students. You, as a reader, no matter what your contributions include, are a part of The Leader family. It is because of you all that I love what I do, and do what I love.
Never change, and never doubt the power that you hold.
Thank you.