nication major, community development minor from Mem-
phis. He served as chief copy editor during spring of 2026.
(Photo by Paige Kiarie/The Hilltop)
The first semester of my freshman year was the last time I was “confident” about anything. Coming off a high school experience where things like awards, forming connections and opportunities came with little effort, I was “confident” (arrogant really) that my Howard University experience would be much of the same. It was with this arrogance that I inattentively applied to the variety section of The Hilltop my freshman year with unreviewed essay answers and a hastily assembled portfolio.
Then several events in succession shook that attitude. Vice President Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election and my Hilltop application was rejected, as well as everything else I applied for during my freshman year. Looking back, this was the best thing that could have happened.
I have done everything “nervous” ever since. I was nervous when I applied to be a resident assistant at the end of my freshman year and nervous when I submitted my application to The Hilltop’s copy desk. It was uncomfortable and incredibly necessary.
Feeling nervous showed me that I could no longer succeed with trying. Needing to try showed me what really mattered to me — supporting the Howard community and contributing to its history.
When I first started on the copy desk, I didn’t consider myself a journalist anymore. It had been over a year since I’d written an article, and my AP style proficiency was beginner at best. But I had committed to giving effort to what I do and so I worked on myself to be able to serve this amazing staff and The Hilltop readers to the highest standard I could.
I was far from alone. I want to thank the copy desk: Damenica Ellis, D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore and Kennedi Bryant for being with me every step of the way. In ways big and small, you all have gotten me through a rough year of getting used to being nervous. You’ve kept me going when I wanted to quit, supported me where I failed and made me a better writer, editor and reader.
To The Hilltop editorial board: Sydney, Aniyah, Tara, Dru, Logan, Oliva, Jalyn, Myla, Cymphani, Armani and Gabrielle, I am endlessly grateful that you all are the people I got this experience with. When Damenica asked me to fill her shoes for the spring semester, I was sure I was out of my depth. However, you all made me look forward to every meeting, every Sunday text message and every print night.
To Sydney, Aniyah, Damenica and The Hilltop writers, your trust in me with your work is something I will always be thankful for. It is because of the hard work that we have done that I can’t help but be confident, not nervous, in the future.
With gratitude,
Daryl R. Thomas Jr.
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore