Bee Goodman once said she wanted to be a writer when she grew up.
When I was a little kid, I spent a large amount of time with my grandparents, I went on many errands
with them. Driving through Oak Ridge, my grandpa would point at a house and tell me about the time he repaired their radio, then we would pass another and he would talk about how mean the man who used to own that house was until he replaced the bulb in their TV. I loved those stories, and I still do.
From a very young age, I knew I loved writing and wanted to tell stories. I have been so blessed to be alive with some truly amazing people who help me write the words. First, my best friend, and the whole Vanover family, who all but signed adoption papers for me. Thanks to my own family, Eva Dingwall for her overwhelming ability to love everyone through everything, as well as numerous other people who have come and gone, or yet to come through my life.
I also want to share my thanks to the former junior editor, alum Ben Wishart. You helped soothe so many stressful moments. More than just a coworker, you have been one of the greater friends I met during this time. Lilly Davis, thank you for being such an incredible friend, a light back to my faith and inspiration for my own passions.
Every person I have encountered through The Oracle has given me something, and I hope in my absence you will continue to grow with each other. The best advice I can give to each of you is to be kind to each other, and to find a reason to keep doing what you love.
Everything in my life has happened so I could tell a story, and as I write this, I can’t stop the tears from coming. “It’s your right of passage, embrace it and give it your all,” our faculty advisor at The Oracle, Dr. Teddy Burch, tells me. I can not thank him enough for every time he calmed my fears, picked my brain, the limitless patience he’s given me or for the countless lessons I couldn’t have received from within a classroom.
The Oracle has given me a chance to grow a tremendous amount since I started in 2020. The person I was when I started was ready to give up. Since then I have learned to fight for myself and for others. I have a new found energy through my faith and through my passion for the truth. Keep writing your own stories and remember, if you don’t like what’s happening, you can change it in the next chapter.
Farewell friends,
Bee
Bee Goodman was formerly the managing editor at The Oracle from Spring 2023 to Fall 2024 and has been apart of staff since Fall 2020. Audrey Palladino is the current managing editor and has been on staff since Fall 2024.
This semester has been surreal. A year ago I would not have imagined being in the boss chair here at The Oracle. Journalism was not a passion, nor was it something I was interested in.
My first time in the bullpen was a visit with former online editor, Harrison Conder. He invited me in while he worked and I noticed my cousin, Ben Wishart, was the junior editor.
The next few interactions in the office were not professionally productive. I would pop in to chat or tag Ben’s desk with a bean-related joke on a sticky note or stay late to “help” even though I had not been hired yet.
This farewell is harder than I thought it would be, because I am not saying goodbye to the manager position, I am saying goodbye to the people and the office who shaped my final semesters.
I would like to thank the 2023-2024 staff for the cramp-inducing belly laughs. I will always remember the “gas leak energy” moments, when we were getting absolutely nothing done.
To Ben, thank you for opening up your “home” to me. Thank you for all the memories we got to make together on campus before you graduated. I’ll see you at Christmas.
I give my thanks to the 2024-2025 staff. Thank you for simultaneously giving me things to stress about and easing my anxiety. You allowed me to grow my passion for leadership and make friends along the way.
Thank you to Noah C. Mears for the cubicle therapy sessions and allowing me to put Christmas lights in our little corner. Yes, we will still have our Sam’s Club debriefs.
Thank you to Bee Goodman for guiding me through this role when I was out of my depth and having my back when layout went awry.
Thank you to Dr. Scott Christen for always reminding me that I am awesome and keeping me grounded when I want to scream at everything.
My last, and biggest thanks go to Dr. Teddy Burch and his wife, Dena. Thank you for entrusting me with this position and allowing me to lead this incredible group of people. You have given me so many opportunities and experiences, and I cannot thank you enough.
With love (and beans),
Audrey
