To our readers:

I finally made it.

If you talked to me two weeks ago, you would have known that I was out of food points, out of clean clothes, out of ideas for an English paper--generally in a state of disarray. But here I am, about to graduate, and my parents are paying for food, I have clean clothes to wear under my gown, my final projects are completed--funny how everything comes together just in time, including this issue of TowerView.

I'd like to use my final column to send out some congratulations and thank yous. First, I'd like to give my staff a collective pat on the back: This year, TowerView placed first in the Society of Professional Journalists' regional Mark of Excellence award. Not bad for a second-year publication. So, thank you to my staff--both the members listed in the masthead and those of you who took time out from the rest of your work to contribute. I'd particularly like to thank Pratik Patel and Jonathan Blackwell, whose talent, passion for their art and dedication to perfection made this magazine look phenomenal throughout the year. Thank you to Mary Carmichael, without whom TowerView would still be a mere campus road. Thank you to all my blueliners--my apologies for the constant nagging. Thank you to Rich Rubin and Kate Stroup, who have advised me and made me laugh, even from a distance. To my housemates, who may not know how to keep a kitchen clean, but who can make a girl feel loved and welcome. To Greg Pessin, whose courageous commitment to journalistic integrity and principle will inspire the next generation of Chronicle leadership.

Finally, thank you to my parents: I don't say it enough, but I know how much you've sacrificed to get me here, and I appreciate every bit of it. Thank you for making it all come together. I love you.

-- Jaime Levy, editor