Goodbye Column: Aurora Jones

Dec 13, 20232 min read

Co-Editor in Chief

I did not know what I was getting into when I joined Rowdy. I saw the post that applications for assistant editor in chief were open the summer before my freshman year at UF. Bored out of my mind and in need of some good pictures to post on Instagram, my friend and I had two makeshift photo shoots to use for my application. A week went by before I got an interview, and the rest is history.

Now, as I am writing this, I can’t help but feel sad that this is all coming to an end. My entire university experience has been defined by Rowdy. From last minute runs to Repurpose Project, to tabling, to launch parties, this past year and a half has been amazing.

Rowdy helped me find a sense of purpose. I, like a majority of people who are in college, had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. While I still am not exactly sure, I can confidently say that if I am working with people even half as creative as the Rowdy team is, it would be a dream come true.

And now rolling the thank yous:

To Julliete and Gabi: Without you two, I would not be where I am today. Thank you for trusting me and being there to guide me along the process.

To Esthy: Thank you for being there for me through thick and thin. You always know the right things to say. I can’t wait to see what amazing things you will achieve.

To the Rowdy family: You guys are amazing. I have never met such wonderful and creative people. Your effort, resilience and talent is the reason that Rowdy is what it is today, and I am so honored to have had the opportunity to work with all of you.

And most of all, thank you to Lola. Though brief, our time as co-editors in chief was one for the books. Thank you for being the first friend I made at UF and for being the best co I could ask for. I miss you dearly and can’t wait until you return from Italy.

Words cannot express how grateful I am to have been a part of such an amazing community, and I can only hope I have left a fraction of the impact that Rowdy has left on me.

EIC out,

Aurora

P.S.: Don’t forget to turn Slack notifications on, sign up for tabling and stay Rowdy.

Aurora is a second-year economics major minoring in statistics and pursuing a data analytics certificate. She was Assistant Editor in Chief of Rowdy during Volume 7.5 & 8 and Editor in Chief during Volume 9 & 10. Originally from Jamaica, she loves spending her days at the beach. You can find her studying, coding, drinking a passion fruit boba tea, taking pictures, or watching a K-drama.