As the last “Impact Thursday” of the 2018-19 year arrives, our senior staff members reflect on their time with The Impact. 

Though our seniors’ journeys are coming to a close, a whole new chapter of their lives is just beginning. We look forward to seeing all that they accomplish in their professional and personal lives, and above all, hope to see them flourish in whatever they choose to pursue in life.

Here are the parting words from this years’ graduates.

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“Eight years! It has been quite the journey, to say the least, since I first entered Mercy College’s walls all the way back in 2011. A lot has happened in my life during that time. Drug addiction and conquering it, losing both of my grandparents from my mother’s side, and dropping out not once but twice. And honestly, I would not trade any of it for the world. I firmly believe in the expression “everything in life happens for a reason”. Had I not endured my trials and tribulations, I probably would not be here writing my farewells to The Impact and to Mercy today.

Speaking of The Impact, thank you for accepting me as one of your own. The ability to seek out various stories/events to cover and write about validated two things for me. That coming back to complete my degree was the right decision and that I am destined to work in this career field. Not as a doorman like I have the past three years.

I am bummed out to not have added my own NYPA award onto that infamous wall, however, I am not discouraged. The staff did a great job of doing so this year! I mean five awards?! Take a freaking bow you rockstars! I am so proud and happy to see just how high you guys can and will take this newspaper. Do not miss my “smell” on the second floor of Vic and the J-lab too much now that I am gone.

I want to end my farewell with a special thank you to the man, the myth, the legend himself Michael Perrota. You were the first person I told that I was going back to Mercy. Even before my own family! You are the greatest professor/editor that any f*** up could have ever asked for. Lead these and future Impacters to come to greatness. I honestly expect nothing less from you and them.

Congratulations seniors, we did it!” – Brian Pineiro, Staff Writer

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“I still remember that day in the 3rd grade when my teacher took time away from the class to speak to me individually. “You really are a good writer, Nicole. Keep up the good work,” she said. To many, this may seem like a simple critique from a teacher, but to me, it was as if she spawned my sense of reason. I had only written about an overly imaginative experience on Halloween night, and yet she noticed something past my whimsical ideas. Ever since then, every essay, article, or even diary entry I have written, I write with passion and her voice in the back of my mind. How can someone have recognized my fate-entangled path before I even did? Now, as a blooming journalist, I hope to give those shy and quaint children in the corner, who have no clue what their talent is, some form of belief. Just because you don’t see it now, doesn’t mean you won’t recognize it later.

Thank you to Perrota (the best professor ever), and my fellow Impacters from this year (2018-19), and last (2017-18). (Special shoutouts to my best friend Liv Meier (2017-18), Chancho and Jayliss.) I came from being the introverted girl who sat in the back of the class, to being the lively Managing Editor. I have written stories and contacted sources I would’ve never even thought of doing before this experience. Now, I’m ending my second year as part of The Impact with three NYPA awards added to the wall of power.

My time with The Impact will be remembered for the rest of my life. To every person I’ve worked with, bounced thoughts with, or even shared a laugh with, thank you. Thank you for believing in someone like me. I’ve learned so much from every one of you.

Congratulations, class of 2019! We will definitely be making our mark in the media industry. I’ll see you soon.” – Nicole Acosta, Managing Editor

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“When I first got accepted to Mercy College, no one back home thought I would make it. Everyone was telling me to go to the same community college like everyone else and become a nurse. No one thought I would even make it through the first year, let alone four. Now, here I am about to graduate with my Bachelor of Science in Media Studies.

I am so grateful for all I have gotten to do in my time at Mercy College. I have been able to see Broadway shows, the Rockettes, and so much more. I have enjoyed my time on the Impact staff. Because of this newspaper I was able to be a part of the Women’s March in 2018, I’ve got to film a Westchester County Executive, the adjuncts at Mercy going public with their campaign, and finally something I didn’t even realize I was doing until I was there, I got to film and meet Sunny Hostin from The View.

I can’t wait to graduate but I also don’t want this to end. I’m gonna miss all the friends I have made and look forward to seeing where life takes all of us. Congratulations class of 2019, we did it, we made it, and we will be successful!” – Caroline Newman, Videographer

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“Despite a reputation of writing excessively long stories, I’m going to try my absolute hardest to make this under a thousand words. No promises. My time at Mercy College has been memorable and enjoyable. As a Dobbs Ferry resident, you grow up becoming familiar with Mercy and it’s campus. I can vividly recall taking classes in Victory Hall in the same classrooms that I once attended CCD (Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) in as a child. What had once been a gothic styled room with a chalkboard, cross, and antiquated wooden desks gave way to a modernized classroom with projectors and laptops.

Although my first three years at Mercy were enjoyable, nothing can compare to my senior year; when I joined The Impact. My time at The Impact has been nothing short of amazing, and the best academic experience I can remember! I can recall every “Impact Thursday” being an all-day affair, often sitting and getting into all sorts of nonsense until we eventually got kicked out for the night. I remember occupying the seat below the cabinets, often spending hours between classes balancing homework and listening to MMA podcasts. During my time, I had the pleasure to cover stories that reflected my passions. Whether it was film, the environment, or history, I had the honor of writing many stories about each of these topics. My enthusiasm was often reflected in the astronomical word count. I did all of this while spending a hefty amount of change on curly fries, which became almost a daily routine.

Firstly, I would like to thank Perrota for guiding that enthusiasm in a way that helped me structure my stories so that they did not require half a day to read. I would also like to thank my fellow Impact staff that I have had the pleasure of spending time with. I have had the honor of being a part of two tremendously talented groups of writers. Writers whose work has, and will continue to be recognized for their quality and passion. Lastly, I would like to thank Chloe DiGianni for sticking by my side and being as wonderful as you are. This past year was amazing on its own, you have made it irreplaceable. Happy Anniversary!!!

Can I get a word count?”- Michael Dunnings, Associate Editor

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“So, just like my entire college career when asked to write something, (like this piece) I was completely unprepared. Now, I guess is my time to shine. I’m just going to wing it and go from the heart. I, like some of my fellow graduates, was a student who left and came back to school. This leads us to be part of the super senior club (students in their late twenties). I never thought I would graduate community college, let alone a four year school. I came to Mercy, mostly because my sister came here and my parents knew it was a good school. Luckily, it turned out to be better than good. Mercy is home to The Impact, which makes it heaven on earth.

Mercy, but mostly The Impact, has changed my life so much for the better. I got involved in the school and met some friends I plan on keeping for the rest of my life. Only two semesters of The Impact and I still want more. Sadly, Mercy will not pay me to be a student for life or I would gladly accept. This is really hard for me because I suck at goodbyes and this is really the final goodbye between me and The Impact.

I would like to thank the wonderful staff I’ve gotten to work with for my two semesters. I would like to now give some specific shoutouts. Jayliss, you get a special shout out for letting me hang out in your office and keeping me out of trouble (especially that time when you had to walk me back to my car). I would like to thank Steven, future Managing Editor and the only person who likes cold cheese on pizza. Mike, for talking me through almost every WWE PPV since I started at The Impact. I would like to thank Liv for teaching me about birds cause we are bird squad. I would also like to thank Chloe for being afraid of birds and filming my brewery story idea, which was an excuse to drink while working. I would like to thank Brian for he always had something that smelled nice to keep me awake in class. I would like to thank my lovely girlfriend Christie for making me feel like the best thing since sliced bread through my last semesters at Mercy and for still doing it to this day. I would like to thank Mark for inspiring the Mark Memorial Zoo Trip, there will be another one in 2019. I would like to thank Nicole for being the best damn Managing Editor I’ve worked under and for editing this late into the night. Finally, I would like to thank the man himself, Perrota. Working under you has been a pleasure and joy and I am sure you will keep inspiring lazy schmucks like me to do some damn work.

In closing, thank you to all my fellow Impactors. Impact 4 life.” – Stephen Lyons, Associate Editor