Goodbye column: Senior photographer Jessica Gomez

Sam Houston State University was my first and only choice. Not only was it one of the most beautiful campuses that I had ever seen, but it was one of the only universities in Texas with the major I wanted to pursue, photography. My freshman year wasn’t the best. I didn’t know anyone and it was just really hard for me to make friends. Then this wonderful, horrible thing happened. I was forced to take a class called WASH my sophomore year. If you’re an art major, you know what I’m talking about. While I hated the class, it forced me to make friends within the class and I couldn’t have been happier.

One of the people I met through this class was Amanda Priest. Then Amanda introduced me to her sister Jessica Priest who worked for the campus paper at the time. It turned out that they were looking to hire a photographer so I applied in the summer and got the job! It was probably one of the best days of my life. I am never as happy as when I have that camera in my hand and now I could pretty much do this everyday and get paid for it. Yes, I can say that it was a really really good day.

In the newsroom(and outside of it to the staff), I am known as Gomez. When I started Jessica was still at the paper so I was forced to be called by my last name because I was the new kid. I didn’t really care though. This continues to be my name even though Jessica has now graduated. How funny that a name that I received in college would carry on to what I do after. When I graduate, I plan on joining the Navy. This name, Gomez, will continue to live through this. I know this must sound kind of random to some people. Jessica Gomez? The Navy? But if you know anything at all about me, you know I love to help people. I love to be counted on by my friends and my family. This is one of my favorite qualities about myself so why not spread this around? I really believe in our university’s motto, “A measure of a life is its service” and I plan on remaining true to this in the Navy and beyond. Overall, I am very proud of the work I put in at this paper and my time at this school. I am looking forward to what comes next and putting this knowledge to good use.

I owe a lot to these people:

George Mattingly- Oh my gosh, George. I got to know you before you got on staff. We didn’t hang out much in those first years but I still always thought you were really awesome. Thank God for you these past two semesters. Your constant laughter that you have brought into my life has kept me in that newsroom even when things got frustrating. I am so glad we got to hang out as much we have been. I will miss you so much. You are an amazing writer and I hope to continue to read what you have to write.

Stephen Green- I’m not exactly sure who started the whole Gomez nickname thing but I will definitely give you props for keeping it going.  Like I said, I love it and I will never be anything but Gomez to you. I have enjoyed reading your stories, your friendship, and most recently your leadership. I truly believe this paper was missing leadership. It was missing you. I know you’re going to do great things with the time you have left here and I cannot wait to see it.

Zach Birdsong- I am so grateful for you this year, Zach. One of my favorite things to cover this year was the football team(and sports in general) and I am so glad I got to do this along side of you. You are truly one of the nicest guys that I have ever met. I enjoyed discussing sports and music with you this past year. I wish you the best of luck in everything you do.

Meagan Ellsworth- Jessica Priest may have brought me in but you gave me the job. You gave me a chance to learn this business and I can’t thank you enough for that. I was definitely nervous that first day I came into the newsroom and got my first assignment. You didn’t even know me at all but you really made me feel like you believed in my skills and that just made all the difference. You are one of the funniest people I have met here at SHSU. I have enjoyed our talks about random things in the newsroom. Also your taste in music is excellent. The very fact that you like City and Colour makes you one of the greatest people I know! I wish you good luck in everything you do after graduation. Maybe we’ll work together again someday. Again, thank you.

Kelly Reese- My sister. It’s going to be so weird not to be going to school with you anymore. We’ve been through it all together. Every single school grade up to college. As much as it’s gonna be weird not to be in school anymore, it’s going to be even more weird not to see you everyday. You’ve been such a constant in my life and I’m not sure if I’m ready to see that end. Nobody will ever understand some of my humor as much as you do. It’s like that one time when we were sitting on my couch eating lemons and you said, “Man, who am I going sit around with laughing about eating lemons? Nobody does that!” It’s so true. It’s going to be hard but we’ve made it this far and time and distance won’t change anything between us. I won’t let it.

Marissa Nunez- I am so glad we got to be roommates this year. I knew you last year and we were friends but this year was different. You are probably the most laid back person I have ever met and I really needed that this year. Being a senior in college is really demanding and stressful. I’m glad I had a friend like you to bring me back down and just sit back and talk about music and life outside of school. I will miss you. Shiner’s just not gonna taste the same without you. We’ve had some really great times.

Jessie Hutt- I want you to know that I wouldn’t be half as happy as I am without you. Freshman year sucked. Half of it was because of a not so great roommate. I couldn’t have asked for a better college roommate these past years. I feel like I need to thank you for the friends I’ve made in college. I wouldn’t have had half the courage to make friends without you for a roommate my sophomore year. I was able to come out of my shell and actually put forth effort into making friends because I knew if it didn’t work out, I already had an awesome friend within my roommate. I’m sorry this year was weird. I will miss you. You’re a great person and smart as hell! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You’re gonna do great things.