By: Alfonso Abreu
It’s difficult to find the perfect structure for this farewell.
I can easily list everyone integral to my journey, like I’m Jay-Z on “My 1st Song” or go in depth on my origin story akin to Mr. West on “Last Call.” I want to give Fonso’s Interlude the ending it deserves, seeing as I am walking away from something so important to me.
I started this column during a time when I felt lost in life, unsure of my ability to be a journalist, and overall, in a lethargic state of mind. Fonso’s Interlude was my wake-up alarm, a reminder as to why I am aspiring to be a journalist in the first place. It was a tiny win I could celebrate during a time when everything was bleak. Quickly, I have to mention my first piece for The Vanguard, despite not being a part of this column, as the quality of the work is the reason why I was given the green light to create the column.
The column may have had a short run, only 10 published entries (I personally like to compare it to YT’s slew of great releases in 2023), yet I am proud of every single one, even the first few ones I cringe at every time I revisit. Each installment showcased my growth as a writer in the span of a year. The one thing I wanted as an introverted Dominican kid was an outlet for me to passionately nerd out about my favorite niche artists and give lengthy tirades on the music industry.
I want to give my thanks to my close friend and Sports Editor, Manuel (Manny). He pushed me to join the Vanguard and write for them. When I lack confidence in my writing or ever think about calling it quits, he will immediately bring me back down to earth. There was a time before my time at Vanguard when Manny would always mention my name at the weekly meetings, in hopes of throwing my name in the hat as a possible section editor, like when Lil Wayne strenuously tried to make Gudda Gudda a star, and I appreciate him for that, as he truly believed in me.
I will also be giving my thanks to the Editor-in-Chief, Rami Mansi, who showed nothing but support for my column and constantly encouraged me to write more. From day one, Rami had nothing but praise for my work. They may have always had a dumbfounded face whenever I’d pitch a piece about “obscure underground rapper number 200,” but never shut it down. I’ll never forget the day I pitched a Fonso’s Interlude to a confused yet interested Rami, on Dragnutz (still the hardest out!).
I’d like to extend my gratitude to my friends and fellow Vanguard writers, Luis, Jaida, and Serena, with whom I have shared amazing memories and inspired me as a writer. The jokes we shared in the Vanguard office or at WBCR were the highlights of my day.
To the loyal readers (I hope I had some) of Fonso’s Interlude, I truly hope a part of you was able to feel seen, the same way I felt while writing these. Now, as someone preparing to walk the stage in less than 2 weeks, I can truly say I became the writer and person that I thought was impossible a year ago thought was impossible. And it’s all thanks to Fonso’s Interlude.