Nicole Iuzzolino, Arts & Culture Editor, Signing Off

Source: Nicole Iuzzolino '22

I did not join the Marist Circle until my second semester of freshman year, after my mom persuaded me that it would be a “great way to make friends.” I remember walking the winding path from Leo Hall to the Lowell Thomas building to attend my first meeting. I remember sitting in the back of the classroom, not wanting a spotlight of attention on being seven minutes late, past the 9:15 pm start time.

As the meeting went from editor introductions to story pitches, I slowly began to feel like I was with people who shared the same passion and drive that I possessed for the journalism world. 

Now as I write this “letter,” I am the Arts & Culture Editor of the Marist Circle and Executive Director of For The Record. As a freshman, I admired the individuals whose roles I have now taken on. When I was given the position of Arts & Culture Editor the summer going into my junior year, I lavished in the feeling knowing I would have this role for two long years.

Those years have come and gone as quickly as that phone call stating I was awarded the position. But those two years were the highlight of my college career. 

As the Arts & Culture Editor, I learned a number of things along the way. I learned to be my staff writer's biggest supporters. I continually encouraged my writers' passions, allowed them to pitch anything they desired and became their biggest fans as they let their journalistic endeavors take them far and wide. Even when I was studying abroad in Madrid, Spain a semester ago, I would help my staff writers with all of their editing needs and journalistic questions, no matter what time it was, because I truly did care about their success. As a freshman writer, I remember the first “this was incredible writing,” email I received and the hope it gave me that I really did have a place in this career.  

Being the Arts & Culture editor of the Marist Circle also taught me what I loved to do – tell stories. As editor for the section, I wrote a number of profiles, allowing me to give a platform to those who never once had one to share the stories they had to tell. As each story would get published and I would receive texts and emails saying how much it truly meant to them, my heart would flourish, knowing I made even the smallest difference in someone's day.

It is those moments, knowing that I was able to provide that happiness to someone, made me realize why I do what I do. It is not for the satisfaction of adding another published piece to my LinkedIn, it was knowing that someone entrusted me with their story to share with the world for others to hear the life lessons they just shared with me.

As I step out of the role as editor of Arts & Culture and graduate from Marist College in the upcoming weeks, I am thankful for the Marist Circle for reconfirming to me that I in fact want to be a journalist, and continue to give a platform to those who do not have one. I am thankful that I was given the opportunity to be a mentor to younger writers, who will soon take on the role I am leaving behind.

To me, it wasn’t just Marist that was a home away from home, it was the Marist Circle, a place where my ambitions were cheered on by others and my passions shared. I am forever grateful, and I know, wherever I’ll be next, I will take my routes with me wherever I go. 

Thank you for everything. 

Nicole Iuzzolino, Arts & Culture Editor, signing off.