By: T’Neil Gooden
I never want to say goodbye, so for now I will say, see you later. I cannot begin to understand how time has moved so quickly, and I am now the person writing this farewell message. It feels like just yesterday I built up the courage to step into the walls of Roosevelt 118 and begin my writing journey, and now I am ending my years as The Vanguard’s Features Editor.
To those who are reading this, I want you to know that sometimes we all need a little push to get a little closer to our dreams, and for me, The Vanguard was that push. A mere Instagram post from a dearest friend and former Editor-In-Chief, Paulina Gajewski, about The Vanguard, was my opening. I took a leap of faith, and I have never looked back since.
When I look at my time at Brooklyn College (BC), the memories would not be complete without The Vanguard being in the front and center. I have evolved as a person, friend, editor, and writer because of my time here. I am eternally grateful to those who have come before me and who have currently stood by me, as they have taught me everything I have ever needed to know to be successful within my future endeavors.
To those of you who have read, interacted with, spoken about, and even written within The Vanguard at least one time in your years at BC, I want to say a special THANK YOU because without the students, there is no Vanguard.
The Vanguard has seen every single part of what makes me T’Neil, and I would not want it any other way. I have gotten to speak about every single interest I have ever had, including my love of gaming and esports. Now tell me, where else would I be allowed to be a nerd… exactly, crickets. I thank this community for giving me an outlet that makes me and others be seen for the hard work and efforts that go into the BC community.
To all the clubs, club leaders, event coordinators, students, and faculty who have put up with my long messages, conversations, questions, and nagging, I truly thank you all for your patience and willingness to let me be the person to share your creative stories. I have enjoyed every single event, activity, and space you have let BC students and me take part in; you all are the beating HEART of Brooklyn College.
Those of you who are coming into college, and for those of you who are finishing, please be someone who uses their voice, just like the clubs, students, and The Vanguard have done since before we were born. Brooklyn College is great because we have all used our voices, and play deaf to those who are constantly trying to silence our greatness. Be the change you want to see within your community. Never back down from societal pressure, and don’t be afraid to stand out. My Caribbean family always says, “Closed mouths never get fed,” and I want you all to live by this motto as well.
Speak up and speak out when you are not heard; do not be a follower in this world because we truly need more leaders, especially now. We have seen how strong BC students have been in the past two years; we have changed CUNY history multiple times, and I want to be an alumnus who continues to hear about BC’s student power through The Vanguards’ coverage, of course.
There is no “I” in Vanguard, there is no “I” in Brooklyn College. We are a team and a family that marches to our own drums, and I will continue to push this narrative for the rest of my life. Continue to speak, fight, and write about the world you want to see and the community in which you live.
I want to send a special thanks to Jaida, Rami, Serena, Key, Kate, Paulina, Serin, Ezae, Renae, Jocelyn, Reagan, Amira, Jason, Adrian, Yassir, Mars, Eden, Luis, Victoria, Khalailah, Manny, Emily N, Margot, Tony, Zoe, Shania, Salimata, Leslie, and everyone else who has been with me throughout my four-year journey within The Vanguard and at BC, because I truthfully owe you all everything I have. I thank you for your patience, kindness, understanding, care, and support in everything that I have pushed forward and given to our ever-growing community.
I also want to say a “big up” to my family. Thank you for letting me follow my dreams in my college career and for becoming the writer I am today, with your constant support, love, and care. Love you all!
I have had a great college experience because of every single event, encounter, and individual I have met within the walls and surrounding areas of BC. I will continue to let these relationships flourish, mark my words. See you all later, T’Neil Gooden.