Not even school officials realize the potential of The Channels staff by looking at our tiny, leaky, moldy newspaper lab.

But behind the scenes, it comes to life. Not everyone knows it, but folks, we put out award-winning papers.

I’ve met the most talented students and faculty in my two years at City College. And while it’s hard to stomach, I’m leaving this school. I’m leaving behind great friends, a great adviser and a dedicated staff.

I’ve gotten to experience competing in state and national competitions. I’ve written many articles and even designed pages. And I’m no designer, but I’ve learned how to be.

I’ve learned more about journalism here than I probably will in any four-year school. The opportunities The Channels has given me outnumber any of my high expectations.

I can now proudly say, “Yes, I too can write any type of article that comes my way.”

I can make a page work with a funky photo. And yes, I have learned the key to success in this field is communication.

But my personal experience on The Channels wouldn’t have been nearly as fulfilling if it wasn’t for the encouragement, helping hands and friendships I’ve gained along the way.

This group of editors has come together as a team. And together, this team has overcome more than the everyday struggles. We have become more than a classroom of students: we are friends. And after two years together, we have become a family.

Together we have solved solutions to the early morning Monday question of, “What do we put on the front page” to “what will we do when our production assistant resigns?”

Some students would have given up, but we didn’t.

We’ve worked 20-hour days, pushed our stress levels through the roof and gained 15 pounds. But, to me, it was worth it.

While I’m attending California State University Chico, I’ll look back on my time spent at City College and apply what I’ve learned. I will use my knowledge of how to craft a 30-word lead, informational nut graph and quotes into a specific inch count.

I will know how to make a photographer take a photo that will match my story’s angle.

And I’ll know that the closer you are to your staff, the higher your publication’s quality will be.

What makes this college so great isn’t the way the president runs it, or the amount of money City College has on the budget, or the unnecessarily fancy press box. It’s the faculty, staff and the students that make this place what it is.

Next time anyone is thinking about canceling this newspaper, I want them to think about all of the students relying on it, and how many opportunities it gives kids like me.

Being part of this newspaper took a lot out of me. It required late nights, early mornings and dedication.

But I’ve earned everything I gained from this experience. And that feels good.