A letter from the outgoing 2025-26 editor-in-chief

I’ve never been the best at saying goodbye. I could write 2,000 words and still fall short of capturing my time as editor-in-chief of The Aquinian. In my opinion, no word in the dictionary could do justice to what this year’s AQ team accomplished. And that’s not an exaggeration, it’s a fact.

Camaraderie. Joy. Passion. If someone asked me to sum up my time at The Aquinian in three words, those would be it. 

As my chapter in Fredericton, New Brunswick, comes to an end, I am both humbled and honoured to have learned from The Aquinian and the experience it gave me, both inside and outside the newsroom. 

I first came to Canada as an 18-year-old girl, still unsure of my place in the world, but with an insatiable hunger to swallow it whole. I left everything I knew behind, and I was ready to start my life, even if that meant building it from scratch.

Four years later, I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t change a single thing: the journey that brought me here, the people I met, the work we did, and the moments we shared.

Every step I’ve taken since my first year has been a leap of faith. I still remember the one who gave me the courage to pursue journalism. In this letter, I want to acknowledge the first person who believed in my writing before I did: Ms. Jane Longley, my English and literature professor in high school. Without her teaching and guidance, I would not be the journalist that I am today. I am eternally thankful. 

Leading The Aquinian has been one of the most challenging projects I’ve ever taken on, and if given the chance, I would do it all over again without hesitation. I still remember calling my mom and dad to tell them I was the next editor-in-chief, and the nerves that came right after. “Get up, you son of a bitch, 'cause Mickey loves you,” my dad said over the phone, referring to the movie Rocky. I’d be lying if I said that line wasn’t in the back of my mind throughout this year. 

Coming into this year, The Aquinian and its team were my anchor, my rock, and the light at the end of the tunnel. Every editor taught me different aspects of life, whether it was hockey scores, Middle Eastern politics, student concerns, or nostalgia. Each staff writer showed me the importance of discipline and the power of having a unique voice. The presence that we had on campus and beyond, without being a print newspaper, is something I am deeply proud of. Seeing everyone invested in amplifying student voices has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my time in university. 

I want to thank Emilia, my managing editor, for being one of the hardest-working people I have ever worked with. Thank you for literally personifying calmness in the middle of a storm. This year, you helped me in ways you will never know, and for that, I can only say thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

To my successor, Liam, believe in your team and their potential. You can find stories in the most remote places. With an open mind and determination, the sky is the limit. Don't be afraid to take on new ideas, videos, and columns. This is now your publication, savour every moment of it. 

To our readers, thank you for following The Aquinian this year. It's been one hell of a year, but the journey doesn’t end there. It’s because of you that we chase stories, no matter the time, day or place. You are the backbone of our publication. 

Independent journalism still prevails, and transparency, accuracy, and integrity will continue to guide everything we do.

To my chosen family in Fredericton, thank you for listening to me talk about The Aquinian for hours on end and for understanding my unpredictable schedule. Thank you to Lucia and Furzi, who have been there every step of the way, and now we’re ending this chapter together. 

To my family and friends in Nicaragua, thank you for following my work and supporting me, even from thousands of miles away. Thank you for reminding me why I do what I do. Most importantly, I dedicate this year of hard work to my mom, my dad, and my brother.

Te mando un abrazo fuerte hasta el cielo papi. Lo hicimos juntos <3

This was Fernanda Sánchez for STU Journalism. 

Peace out, 

Fernanda Sánchez

Editor-in-Chief 2025-26