_{Photo Courtesy of Ashley Morales}

When I first began looking at colleges, I was determined to major in Musical Theater and nothing else. Anyone who knows me now knows that This did not come true whatsoever. Between 16 and 17 I decided that I’d rather be an English major. The change was primarily motivated by a community theater production of Spamalot that helped me see the difference between theater kids and kids who like theater. I realized I was in the latter category and that I found much more joy in scrawling poems on scrap paper instead of singing and dancing. 

Rider was the only school I ever toured partially because of the covid pandemic and partially because I didn’t care enough about any of the other schools I applied to. I actually toured Rider before I joined that production of Spamalot, so I went in with a Musical Theater major in mind. My dad had encouraged me to check out a couple other departments that I was interested in to “keep my options open.” I picked the English department because I had really gotten into writing bad poems in between classes, and I had actually thought about minoring in the subject. When I was there I was given a copy of the Spring 2019 issue of Venture to read. Little did I know this would be a moment of foreshadowing from the universe.

I never actually read much of the issue of Venture up until recently, when the memory of this open house resurfaced in my brain. So I had gotten involved in the magazine’s relaunch and managed to become the Editor in Chief without realizing the connection I already had to it. The reason I got involved in the first place was because Professor Toro made it sound like it was going to be a lot of fun. And it was, but it was also a lot of work. 

The work for Venture has varied in difficulty, but the one thing that has remained the same is how rewarding all of it has been. If I did not get involved with Venture, I probably would be dedicated to my classes and my classes alone. I’d probably have a few friends, but the most influential friendships I’ve formed within the past couple of years have been primarily because of Venture. I am eternally grateful for Venture and the community I found within it and I hope so many students after me can feel that way as well. 

For the last time,

Maura Corman, Editor in Chief of Venture