Sitting down to write this column, the four walls of the Massachusetts Daily Collegian’s notorious “War Room” surround me. For those who haven’t had the pleasure to be in the “War Room,” its miscellaneous array of MDC magazines, fidget toys and last but certainly not least, iconic iCarly Gibby tapestry are home to some of the staffs’ most productive days and nights. Got breaking news to report on? Head to the War Room. Got an 8-page paper to write? Head to the War Room. Need to dish out the latest on your personal life? Head to the War Room.
Today’s trip to the War Room couldn’t be more fitting. Currently, to one side is my dear friend and Collegian Editor-In-Chief Caitlin Reardon and to the other, my friends and Local Mojo co-workers in Salvi LoGrasso and Danny Richard. The company reflects both the roots and culmination of my college experience, both equally as important to the opportunities, lessons and friendship I have cultivated in my four years at the University of Massachusetts.
Most everything in my college experience has evolved. My major, interests, home address—you name it, I’ve likely experienced some sort of change regarding it. But one thing has remained a constant—the Collegian.
Much like my fellow classmates, the Collegian was the first extracurricular I joined as a freshman, seeking a community and space to learn the inner workings of journalism. Here, I’ve pivoted from sports beat reporting to athlete feature articles, to then move into internal communications for UMass Athletics. All the while, I held a longstanding, unquenched interest in multimedia—particularly within music. From here I found home within the Collegian’s multimedia and marketing departments, creating a one-off podcast about music with Caitlin, assisting with several video and public relations projects and even contributing an arts review every now and again.
Even with this expansive involvement, I felt a sense of longing for more. The sheer opportunity and supportive community within the Collegian accepted my indecision and allowed me the space to explore. It was this platform that led me to join Mojo last year, a music organization supporting local musicians through live events and social media content creation. This experience allowed me the chance to utilize the passion for storytelling I found within the Collegian, while applying it directly to the music space I was always drawn to.
The integration of these interests has not only fulfilled my professional desires, but moreover provided a social network of meaningful connections I hope to hold for the entirety of my adult life. During each facet and stage of my time at UMass, whether that be in journalism, athletics or now Mojo– I’ve found a new community of unique and passionate individuals that have inspired me to continue to explore the diverse interests I once believed I had to choose from.
From Lulu Kesin, women’s basketball aficionado and most thoughtful letter composer, to the funniest inhabitant of McClure St. in Luke Halpern, the kindest lover of High School Musical named Colin McCarthy, the star of ABC News Miss Katie Katz, my fellow women’s hockey beat writer Johnny Depin, the kindest soon-to-be teacher in Shannon Moore, SNL’s brightest new star Asha Baron, all my lovely ladies and gentlemen in the Class of 2025 and, last but not least, Caitlin “Teach” Reardon—your friendship has shaped the trajectory of my college career and I am forever grateful.
If you’ve made it this far, first, thank you for bearing with me, but secondly I want to wish a tremendous thank you to everyone I have met at the Collegian since I first entered the office in 2021. The encouragement and true camaraderie I have felt I will hold with me forever.
Shanti Furtado was an Assistant Public Relations and Multimedia Editor. She can be reached at [email protected]
