I never thought I’d be a journalist. In fact, I never planned to attend LSU. 
I entered college as a student-athlete at a different university, and I was majoring in finance. In 36 days, I’ll walk across the graduation stage proud to say I was a student journalist at Louisiana’s flagship university, and I’ll obtain my bachelor’s degree in mass communication. 
It’s an unexpected ending to my college career. It’s an ending that exists because I was presented with the opportunity to try new things. (An opportunity I wouldn’t have considered if not for someone wiser than me believing in and encouraging me to give it a chance.)
Opportunity. It’s what life is all about. Some opportunities are worthwhile, some we could do without and it’s the unexpected ones that often reroute how we thought our lives would turn out. 
Working at the Reveille is one of my biggest unexpected opportunities, but it’s also the opportunity that has shaped me the most.
And as a new generation of journalists starts to enter the workforce, over 60 Reveille staffers are better equipped because of your generous support. 
The letter from our editor in chief, Claire Sullivan, highlighted the importance of our work and how your past donations have played a crucial role in allowing us to continue serving the LSU community. 
You’ve helped us inform students about the world around them. We’ve provided them with information they likely wouldn’t otherwise know on topics like Student Government, state politics and the inner-happenings of LSU. 
You’ve helped us send reporters to cover national championships and award ceremonies. You’ve allowed us to bring attention to what makes the university so vibrant: the students.  
Made for students by students, that’s what this newspaper is. But it’s also an organization that has given me space to grow as a journalist and, more importantly, as a person. 
I’ve spent more hours in the basement of Hodges Hall than I’d like to admit. I’ve had experiences I could have never envisioned. I’ve encountered remarkable people and learned in the moments I failed. And I can’t forget to mention that I overcame one of my biggest fears: phone calls. 
The Reveille is more than just a student organization, it’s a place that lays the foundation for who we will become. Whether we all become journalists or never write again, the lessons we’ve learned in our time here are applicable to every facet of our existence.
So, I have a question for you. Will you take the opportunity to help support the Reveille?  
What will your donation be put toward? 
Well, whether it’s $5 or $5,000, it will allow future students to work at this wondrous place. It will help us continue to send reporters to cover major events. It will help us keep up with the ever-changing media landscape and allow us to better equip student journalists for all they undertake. 
You can support us through our donation link or by participating in our giveback with Krispy Kreme. 
If those don’t seem appealing, we also have sweatshirts, T-shirts and Heisman Trophy posters (all of which were designed by current Reveille staffers). 
Our fundraising week ends on April 14, and we hope you take the opportunity to help support the Reveille.