As Spring 2025 comes to an end, so does our tenure of Co-Editors-in-Chief of the Weather Vane, but wait there’s more. I (Lauryn Moore) and Zack Furr are not only done with our time as Co-Editors, we’re also done with our Weather Vane journey. In just over a week, we will be walking across the stage and accepting our diplomas as 2025 graduates of EMU. As exciting as this new journey we’re about to embark on is, there’s always going to be a few bittersweet moments and leaving the Weather Vane is one of them.

I’ve been with the Weather Vane for three years, joining the staff fall semester of my sophomore year. Back then, I had this idea that I was going to go into journalism and wanted as much experience as possible before graduating. While that’s no longer the path I’m going down (yay law school!), the Weather Vane has still provided me with amazing experiences that I will continue to hold with me as I move throughout life. The Weather Vane has not only helped me grow as a writer and interviewer, it also helped me find my voice and share my opinions with others. 

I’ve loved sharing whatever album, movie, or tv show I was obsessed with at the time, or expressing my frustration and anger with the world through my incredibly opinionated opinion pieces. I’ve also enjoyed adding to our news and feature page by researching and conducting interviews with EMU staff and students. No matter what I wanted to share, there was always a place for me to do so on the Weather Vane, and that’s what kept me coming back. 

As I reflect on my last semester as a staff member and first semester as Co-Editor, I am incredibly grateful for all that has been accomplished. I’m grateful for our staff members who showed up every Wednesday at 5:30pm ready to contribute something to the paper. I’m grateful for the returning staff members who provided a sense of seniority that was needed to help things move smoothly. I’m grateful for the new people who showed up and immediately made an impact as new staff members of the Weather Vane. I’m grateful for the contributing writers who shared their work with us to be included in our paper. I’m grateful for the many production nights that were filled with music and laughter as we worked together to build the paper. I’m grateful for Kirsten Beachy, our faithful advisor who was always there when we needed her. And I’m grateful for you, our readers, who continuously pick up a new paper every other week. 

I (Zack) have worked for the Weather Vane since the spring of my first year. I wanted a job on campus I thought I would have fun with. I, on a whim, applied as a sports writer, thinking not much would come of it.

Little did I know then, but applying here completely changed my life in more ways than one. I met lifelong friends, learned new skills, and found what I wanted to possibly be my forever career. 

I’ve edited twice, written many an article (around 80), and have had too many slices of pizza. I My Wednesdays have been completely scheduled around the Weather Vane for four years now, and it will be a weird, empty feeling transition without it. The Weather Vane feels like the collective child of everyone on staff, and it’ll be bittersweet leaving it.

I’ve seen many faces come and go, and I am glad I was able to meet and connect with people I may never had gotten to know, whether it be staffers, people I have interviewed, or other Weather Vane interactions. More than anything, I see my main campus identity being as beong a part of the Weather Vane. I will love wherever I work, but there will always be Weather Vane sized hole in my heart. This paper reflects what I love about this campus, and leaving the Weather Vane means leaving campus, which scares me!

I am grateful for everyone I have encountered on this journey. As scary as leaving may be, and as worried as I am about the future of not only the world, but this campus and paper, I know things will be okay. Students have kept this wonderful paper going for years before I was born, and will continue to do so after I am gone. Things are tumultuous now, not just in my life, but everyone’s as well. It’s easy to panic and worry, I do it all the time, but we’ll be okay, you, dear reader, and I. All things will pass at some point. With love, peace.

The Weather Vane has done so much for the both of us and as much as it hurts to go, we know its future is bright. To Caleb Metzler and Peyton Alger, the Co-Editors-in-Chief for next fall, we know you all are going to do great things. While the future of the Weather Vane is changing, we know our beloved paper is in great hands.

Thank you for picking up our paper! And come cheer us on at graduation!