Drea Garcia Avila, Creative Director: During my first year of university in November 2021, my friend off-handedly mentioned that The McGill Tribune was looking for illustrators. What started as a creative outlet led to me becoming a Staff Creative for two weeks, Design Editor for the next three semesters, and, finally, the Creative Director. I watched the paper ground its roots in advocacy and activism, from dropping “McGill” from its name, to adopting an Anti-Oppressive Mandate, covering stories locally and beyond. Our creative community has flourished this year, and I’m incredibly proud and grateful for my years at the paper. While I’m immensely sad to leave, I cannot wait to see what our brilliant team does next year.
Shani Laskin, Managing Editor: Where to begin… My time at The Tribune fundamentally shaped my university experience. I came in as a Staff Writer for News at 18 years old—nervous and unsure of myself. I quickly fell in love with news coverage and journalism, feeling the thrill of chasing a story, listening to people’s experiences, and challenging my assumptions. To me, The Tribune has been an invaluable space for knowledge co-creation; at a university without a journalism program, we become our own teachers. The community at this paper has raised me, and, after nearly four years, I’m happy to know I’m leaving The Trib in incredibly capable hands.
Monique Kasonga, Opinion Editor: Joining the Opinion Section pitch meeting on Zoom in my first year, I never expected to stick around for so long. Four years later, I have learned more than I could have ever imagined. From the guidance of those who were editors before me to the growth I have witnessed in our amazing writers, being a part of this team has been an absolute pleasure. Watching the paper evolve into what it is today has been unforgettable, and I can only hope that the model and mandate The Tribune has established will serve as a reminder, for all publications, of the importance of responsible journalism in the face of injustice.
Eliza Lee, News Editor: I’m so grateful to have spent the last three years covering campus life, news, and resistance for The Tribune. From Sports Staff Writer to News Editor, each of my roles at the paper has taught me how to better write, think, and care about this community. None of this would have been possible without the guidance and support of The Tribune team. To Editors, Board members, and writers, it has been a privilege to learn from and with you all. Of all the lessons I learned throughout my degree, “curiosity delivers” might be the most memorable. Wow, thanks!
Roberta Du, Web Editor: Since arriving at McGill, I’ve always admired The Tribune—first through my friend Shani, then as I became a weekly reader myself. Hearing about the community drew me in, but being part of it exceeded every expectation. As Web Editor, I didn’t just code and maintain pages and sites; I finally found the courage to write—something I’d always wanted to try but feared. This experience has been transformative. To anyone thinking about joining: Do it. You’ll find purpose, growth, and an incredible group of people.
K. Coco Zhang, Science & Technology Editor: I couldn’t recall how I first stumbled on the Facebook page of The Tribune’s SciTech section, but it happened sometime in 2022, right around when I realized I needed to look beyond my endless cycle of nutrition textbooks. I was searching for something more fulfilling, something that would nourish my mind and my passion. The Tribune turned out to be exactly that. Looking back now, I couldn’t be more grateful to have become part of this community, where I’ve grown not just as an editor and journalist, but as a person.
Amalia Mairet, Features Editor: I joined The Tribune in my first year at McGill. My time at the newspaper started with a short roundup for the Arts and Entertainment (A&E) section. Since then, I’ve reviewed student plays and new albums, served on the Board of Directors, and, finally, spent a year in Features—the role I’ve been aiming for since the beginning. The Tribune has let me bring my love of storytelling into student journalism. It’s been a privilege to be trusted with people’s stories and help bring them to life. To everyone who wrote a 2000-word epic with me this year: See? It all came together in the end.
Auxane Bussac, Student Life Editor: When I stumbled across The Trib at Activities Night three semesters ago, I had no idea it would bring such a long-awaited meaning to my university experience. From contributor to Staff Writer to Editor, learning and striving in Student Life was a privilege. My journey has been nothing short of amazing—our newsroom is full of inspiring people who have helped me grow both as a person and as a journalist. I will forever be grateful to this team for teaching me about myself, my peers, and what it means to be a university student who speaks truth to power. Maybe I’ll get a “curiosity delivers” tattoo.
Matt Adelberg, Copy Editor: As Copy Editor, my role is somewhat hidden from the rest of the paper—I’m just one editing pass among many on Production Day. However, for almost the past two years, I’ve had the privilege of reading and having some small part in every piece that’s come off the press. I’d like to give some gratitude from behind the scenes. Thank you to the writers for teaching me about all things McGill for so long; to my fellow editors for giving me a home and embracing my most anal-retentive nitpicks; and to the readers, for taking our earnest attempts at creation and running wild with them.
Kellie Elrick, Arts & Entertainment Editor: My first article at The Tribune was an investigative piece for News. I was terrified, thrilled, feverish, and fascinated. I later began writing for A&E, where I discovered that publishers would send The Tribune books—unpublished ones! That we could read and review! For free! I fell in love with the wonderful events and publications we cover and the lovely, curious community that flourishes at the paper. Though a late Easter means we will be denied the opportunity to publish a long-planned A&E piece on “Things on the rise other than Christ,” I am eternally grateful for my time here and will be eagerly reading The Tribune next year.
Charlotte Hayes, Arts & Entertainment Editor: The first time I attended an A&E pitch meeting, I was sitting in my dorm room, nervously joining a Zoom call with my camera off. Due to pandemic restrictions, I wouldn’t set foot in The Tribune office for almost a year, but even through the screen, I could tell I had stumbled into something special. Since then, the A&E section and The Trib as a whole have become some of the most meaningful parts of my degree. A long line of wildly talented A&E writers and editors have shaped me into the journalist (and person) I am today. I still have no idea how to thank them properly, so I guess this paragraph will have to do.
Anoushka Oke, Sports Editor: The Tribune has been part of my life since I came to McGill in 2021, and it has left a mark on my university experience. From my days as a News Staff Writer to the past couple of years as Sports Editor, this space has helped me grow as a writer and thinker. As somebody who came to McGill during the pandemic, The Tribune offered me a sense of community, and I have made so many friends here. It has been a privilege to witness the paper grow and work alongside so many intelligent and kind people. I will miss all of you dearly, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing things the next Editorial Board accomplishes!
Aliya Singh, Social Media Editor: Having a strong community when you’re miles away from home is a rare gift—and for me, that community has been The Tribune. From the moment I stepped into our office, I was welcomed by some of the brightest, kindest, and funniest people I’ve had the privilege of knowing. These are people who hold knowledge with humility and create space for growth, laughter, and care. As I say goodbye, I’m filled with gratitude—for the conversations, the chaos, and the quiet moments in between. Working on social media gave me a space to balance creativity and connection, and I leave knowing I was part of something deeply special. Thank you, Tribune.
Hannah Nobile, Photo Editor: To every lovely writer and creative I had the pleasure of working with—thank you for welcoming me with open arms. It’s been such a privilege to witness the love, passion, and care poured into every piece that filled our pages. The Tribune has given me the hardest yet sweetest farewell to my time at McGill that I could have ever imagined. And while I’m heartbroken to have to say goodbye, I can’t help but feel immensely excited for every future student who walks through those office doors for the first time. What a journey it will be!
