It’s hard to believe, but this week marks my 10th anniversary as a writer for The Salamanca Press. Following my sophomore year at St. Bonaventure in 2013, I began my two-year stint as an intern, racking up experience hours that were required to graduate with a journalism degree.

My very first story was on Salamanca High School’s UNPFII group going to New York City to speak at the United Nations about issues facing Indigenous people. Thankfully, it was an interview with one of my favorite teachers who had me in class just four years prior at that time. Reading back through it, I’m surprised that it wasn’t too bad — maybe just a tad too formal sounding. For the most part, I still write many of my stories the same way.

I’d be kidding if I said the past decade had flown by for me, but starting out as an intern and slowly climbing my way up the ladder has been an interesting journey in the ever-changing world of small-town journalism. I don’t know what the next 10 years of Salamanca Press coverage is going to bring, but I’m planning to still be around for it.