I’ve been in a relationship with The Daily Free Press on Facebook since January of 2011 – but my love for The FreeP began long before then. Since April of 2009, to be exact. My high school self was touring Boston University when I first laid eyes on my boyfriend, The DFP.
While I hadn’t made my final decision on where I was going in the fall, I picked up a copy of the newspaper and knew right then and there I wanted to join. I was ambitious, pretentious even – but above all, I was incredibly enthusiastic about getting involved and making The FreeP better. Fast forward to fall of 2009: SPLASH, a freshman’s opportunity to go extracurricular crazy. But me and Chelsea, my Managing Editor, friend and then-floormate, were looking for one table, and one table only: The FreeP.
Sure, I signed up for other things – including the Quidditch team– but nothing really stuck like The FreeP did. Perhaps it was the persistence of then-City Editor/later EIC/current Board Chair Annie that made me stay. Or maybe it was just the adrenaline rush I got from seeing my byline. Or maybe it was realizing that journalism, is, in fact, what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I loved everything about The FreeP – the lingering smell of beer, the piles of print newspapers, the quotes from past editors plastered all over the walls, the beat-up couches and the people that seemed to always be buzzing about something or someone. For better or for worse, I was drawn to this office, and eventually it became more of a home than any dorm I’ve lived in.
I’m not saying it was perfect. I wanted to quit. Oh, did I want to quit. People hate on The FreeP and therefore they hate on me. Like all editors before me, I threw my personal life, sleeping habits, grades and morals out of the window – and sometimes, it really did hit me hard. Over the past few years, I’ve slept on “scratchy couch,” cried in the backroom, cuddled “Photo Frog” (our beloved stuffed animal frog) for warmth and even witnessed a FreeP flood.
So why stay? Well, for four days a week for the last five semesters, I’ve been blessed to work with some of the most talented and hardworking people at BU, many of whom I can proudly call my best friends. I’ve gotten some of my best clips, interviewed some pretty cool people and grown into a more well-rounded person and journalist. People say that college is where you go to find yourself. For me, it was The FreeP.
My classmates, friends and family members have been asking me for the past month, “What are you going to do without The FreeP? What’s the FreeP going to do without you? YOU ARE THE FREEP!” Quite honestly, I don’t know what’s next. While I am excited to go abroad in spring, I don’t know what it means to be FreePless – what is this “free time” people always talk about? I’m excited – mostly to get some sleep – but nervous to let go of something that’s been such a big part of me for so long. I’ve seen four different generations of editorial boards come and go and adjusted to this change each and every time. But now I realize, it’s time for my own change. I’m confident The FreeP will continue to grow, just as it does each semester. After two and a half years of being with The DFP, it’s time for he and I to break-up. I am happy to announce that he will have a great new girlfriend next semester and will get to witness a new, impressive and dedicated staff.
Thanks to all the editors who have inspired me, all my friends and family members who have encouraged me, the dedicated and always-growing staff and of course, all the readers who keep The DFP on our feet.
Keep on FreePin’ on.
Saba Hamedy
The Daily Free Press
Editor-in-Chief Fall 2011
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This is fantastic!
Eloquent and thoughtful. Great job Saba!
THIS IS THE BEST! You are my favorite EIC of all time.
Wonderful journey
This is great. I am so happy for you because you love what you do.
I am so glad to have you near me for a while, and hoop you’ll have a very good time here.
Like most other tough jobs, you rest on the shoulders of bygones and pay forward the favors you receive. Have a blast in your future endeavors. You will make your mark again as you have with the Freep
This was an eloquent and, if I may say, sassy final word. You’ll be missed, but good luck next semester! You’re going to be great