For me, being the Editor-in-Chief of The Paladin came with an early expiration date.

The first reason I won’t be the editor this spring is my schedule. Since high school, I’ve known that I wanted to be a teacher. After graduation, I will either have a job teaching high school English in the Upstate, or I will be student teaching at a local high school. Just getting to that point requires the successful completion of a practicum, undertaken during the spring term of senior year, which includes a lot of time observing and teaching in a nearby school.

In short, going into education means that I can’t be responsible for this newspaper the way that I used to be. I simply don’t have the time to do both well.

The second reason I won’t be returning as editor-in-chief of The Paladin is a person. Bryan Betts, a junior English and Philosophy double major and our News Editor last year, was in China during the fall term. Now he’s back, and he’ll be taking my job. Frankly, there’s no one else on campus I trust more in that position.

For one thing, Bryan’s work as a journalist speaks for itself. He’s a talented writer, a diligent researcher and a creative thinker. He’s also a leader by virtue of his towering intellect and his impressive example.

Because this is the closest thing I’ll ever get to an Oscar speech, it’s time to thank some principles. First, to Kristen Layne, who has been doubling as my Photo Editor and newspaper guru this past semester. Without her advice and her experience, this job would have been Sisyphean instead of merely titanic, and she has my lasting gratitude. Also, I must thank Dr. Cassidy and Dr. Vinson, who, through their wisdom and standing, have seen things that I couldn’t and advised me accordingly.

Finally, and fondly, I thank the section editors and staff of this paper who have stayed up late with me, tolerated my foibles, and have become the group that I’m proud to present to Bryan as his to lead.