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Monday, June 15, 1998

Paper functions

as social scene, advisor, teacher

It's time for me to say goodbye to a faithful friend, a wise advisor and a phenomenal teacher. Now is when I bid farewell to the Daily Bruin.

This is my time to thank The Bruin for allowing me to be part of UCLA athletics in a way that few students can be, for letting me feed my giant ego as a columnist with my picture in the paper, and for giving me the chance to become a tested and well-received writer.

More than that, however, I must thank this hallowed paper for the way it has helped shape me as a person, a scholar and as a graduate of UCLA.

From winter quarter of my freshman year, The Bruin has been a part of my life. Since then, I have always had a story due, an event to cover, an athlete to interview. My responsibilities as a sportswriter were always there, and there were times I didn't want to make the effort.

There were times when I didn't feel like writing another game wrap, couldn't commit five hours to writing a feature or wasn't able to write a decent lead with my deadline 40 minutes away.

But The Bruin didn't care about my excuses, it wasn't interested in my complaining, it just kept pushing me forward. All it told me was that I had made a commitment and I had to fulfill it. Just as I did with my academic responsibilities, I had to get past my fears, frustrations and anxieties to get the job done.

While there were times I hated The Bruin, times I was burned out on writing, times I wondered what the result of my efforts would be, The Bruin never let me go. Now, as I write my final column, I am reaping the fruits of my efforts.

After writing well over 300 articles, the discipline that The Bruin provided has been well entrenched in my psyche, for now I am well-versed in overcoming frustration or sadness while still performing at the highest possible levels, not just as a writer, but as a student as well. This same work ethic took hold in my studies and led me to academic achievements I had never thought possible.

Now as I prepare to enter the next phase of my life, working toward a career as a physician, these rewards will be invaluable. I know that when I'm covering a 36-hour shift as an intern, I'll have the strength to tough it out. Hey, what's some time in a hospital compared to writing six stories in a single day? How does the pressure of an emergency room compare to writing 12 inches 20 minutes before deadline from the Oakland Coliseum?

I've gotten more than just endurance and strength of will, for The Bruin has shaped my UCLA career and provided more opportunities and outlets than I can count.

When I realized that my naive aspirations of being an athlete were wishful thinking at best, the Daily Bruin allowed me to still become intertwined with UCLA athletics, putting me face to face with champions and professionals.

When I realized that membership in a fraternity was a poor choice, The Bruin became my haven, serving as a place for me to meet people, socialize and build the friendships that will remain well beyond the college years.

When I wanted to spread my creative wings and write more than game wraps and features, The Bruin allowed me to spill my opinions, my biases, and my sporting heart and soul out to the UCLA community as a columnist.

The Daily Bruin has been the mortar that glued the bricks of my education together, and it has helped turn an immature freshman into a confident, strong-minded graduate. For that I am eternally grateful.

Mark Shapiro