At MainStage in the fall of 2022, I pushed my way through a huge crowd of people on a mission to find one table — Central Michigan Life. The very first thing I did that day was fill out an application to become a photographer at CM Life, and I brought it to the office the next day.

I came to Central Michigan University in hopes of working for CM Life to get my first real experience documenting a community.

I always knew I wanted to do something related to photography and visuals, but when I discovered this newspaper, I fell in love with photojournalism — with using my skills to tell the stories of others.

I learned much more from this newsroom than just how to write a story, take interesting photos and interview people. I learned how to be part of a team, to be more open and to gain confidence in myself — and as a nonbinary student, I learned how to navigate and find belonging in spaces where my identity matters. I learned that good storytelling isn’t just about taking compelling photos — it’s about paying attention to people and focusing on the unseen moments.

There are many people I would like to thank for my journey at CM Life. There are so many who have helped me become who I am today, but here are just a few.

To Layla Blahnik-Thoune, you were not only the person who hired me at CM Life, but you were also the first friend I made at CMU. You were my biggest mentor here and taught me so many things, but you also helped me open up and realize that college is a place to meet new people and try new things. Thank you for being the first person to make me feel at home — and for being the reason I knew CM Life was the place for me.

To Jeffrey Sauger, I feel like we did this journey together. A handful of us, photojournalism majors, began our freshman year as you began your first year as a professor here. I’ve admired how you’ve grown as a teacher and mentor through the years. My classmates and I have spent countless hours talking to you after class about careers, life and everything in between. I’ve always appreciated how deeply you care about your students’ growth and how you push us to become the best photographers we can be.

To Regan Foster, we also began at CM Life around the same time. You have been an amazing mentor and friend. I’ll always cherish the time we had during the summer of 2025 when I was the Summer Editor-in-Chief. Writing was definitely my weakest skill, but you offered endless support throughout my journey, and I’m so grateful for it. I also loved bonding over our completely different tastes in music and movies — it always made conversations more entertaining and reminded me how much fun it is to see the world through someone else’s perspective.

To Lauren Rice and Masha Smahliuk-Bootz, you were both incredible editors-in-chief to work for and learn from. I admire you both so much.

Lauren, seeing how you lead with empathy and care for every single person you work with is truly inspiring.

Masha, watching you grow more confident and document every situation with such precision and care has been amazing. I loved being able to go into each of your offices to talk about anything, knowing you’d always listen and truly see me.

To Ella Miller, in my very first journalism class, you were right there alongside me. I remember being nervous to ask you to be my subject for a photo story and to work with you covering a musical. I still have our first texts where I asked if we were in class together and if I could borrow your notes. In one of my old emails, I even wrote, “I noticed we’re on CM Life together now as well — looking forward to doing that!” It’s wild to see how far we’ve come — now working side-by-side as photo editors. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to share that with. Watching you grow more outspoken and confident over the years has been incredible, and I’ve never had more fun than working with you in the office.

To my desk, I really wouldn’t have been able to be an editor without all of you. It’s changed a bit over the years, but the photographers Ella and I have met this year are some of the funniest, kindest and most talented people I’ve met. I’m continuously impressed by how every event gets picked up — and how you always ask for more. The effort you all put in makes me so proud to have been part of your journey. I know you’ll go on to do amazing things, and I’ll always be here as a mentor or a friend.

Mark, I know you’ll do an incredible job as the new photo editor, and whoever joins you as an assistant will be lucky to work with you.

Leaving CM Life is bittersweet. I’ve made some of my best memories here and met some of my favorite people, but I’m excited to see what’s next. I’ll always carry the lessons, friendships and memories from this newsroom with me — and I can’t wait to see what the next generation of CM Life editors and storytellers will create.

I came to CMU hoping to document a community, and in the process, I found my own.

Jo Kenoshmeg is Central Michigan Life's photo editor. They're graduating from Central Michigan University this December with a bachelor's degree in Photojournalism.