Farewell, Volume 52!
An adieu from our beloved Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor.
I didn’t expect to be emotional writing this last editorial, but typing “HED, DEK, and BYLINE” for the last time has me feeling sentimental. In the student journalism world, I’d be considered a dinosaur. I’ve been with The Medium since 2019, and seven years is a long time to be involved in an organization that ebbs, flows, and changes every year, if not every semester.
I entered the world of student journalism as a very nervous and insecure writer going into my second year. I joined our mailing list on a whim after issuing myself a challenge to try something new. In my first year as a contributor, I wrote 15 articles for the paper. It was the first time I felt my voice mattered, and over the course of 15 articles, I also felt my voice strengthen, both in writing and in person. Becoming The Medium’s first Opinion Editor was an honor I didn’t expect. Afterall, the section (back then known as “the Comment Section”) had always been edited by the EIC. It marked a new age for the paper, where we expanded the space we were giving to student voices. There have been so many iterations of this paper, and I am proud to have been a part of its journey, especially through so many monumental events, both globally and right in our own backyard.
I am even prouder to see the dedication and care that our Volume 52 Masthead has displayed throughout this year. Every success is thanks to their hard work, vision, and perseverance. From our section editors, who work tirelessly to source, uplift, and edit articles; to copy and photos and design who make a paper publishable and engaging; to our outreach and social media team, who have allowed The Medium to reach more students and UTM community members. I want to say thank you. This small student paper wouldn’t be what it is without you.
Of course, this paper would not even exist if it weren’t for the support, interest, and contributions of our writers, faculty, UTM staff, and community. Student journalism is a shrinking bastion of real community publishing. We stand as a platform to uplift the voices in our community and preserve them for future generations of students. I hope that no matter the future challenges that come our way, you’ll still support The Medium and other student journalists.
To the first EIC who handed me a pen and gave me the sign-up sheet at the start-of-year club fair, Ali Taha, to our next EIC who will continue the good work of generations of student journalists, Samuel Kamalendran, I am grateful to have known and worked alongside you. I will look back upon my time here at The Medium and smile—and what a privilege that is.
Sincerely,
Aya Yafaoui
Editor-in-Chief of Volume 52
As we near the end of both Volume 52 and the 2025-2026 academic year, I remain grateful for the experiences and knowledge these past eight months have granted—and hopeful for what the coming year will bring forth.
Like many of our writers, my journey with The Medium started when I first submitted my email to be added to section mailing lists. What started as a venture into an organization I knew very little about in my first year quickly emerged as a serious commitment, as I applied and developed my journalistic skills to illuminate the stories that composed our campus.
After a stint as Associate News Editor in my first year under then News Editor, May Alsaigh—to whom I owe many thanks for her guidance and impact on my writing—I was elected to take on the mantle as News Editor for Volume 51. My tenure as an editor was instrumental to my development as a writer, student, professional, and a member of our campus community.
This past year, I was privileged to join Aya as Volume 52’s Managing Editor to help continue The Medium’s legacy in student journalism at UTM. From my editorial duties to my outreach work with clubs and administration, the role has allowed me to play a small but impactful role at this resilient organization and our formidable campus. Before leaving this role, it is necessary to recognize the people that contributed to Volume 52 and all it has been able to do.
Firstly, it has truly been an honour to edit the work of hundreds of writers. To every contributor to The Medium, thank you for the time and passion you poured into your work. Whether you crafted an inspiring article or illustrated a dazzling graphic, your effort was integral to the reach and impact of our paper.
Secondly, it has been a true fortune to work alongside the Volume 52 masthead. Aya, Aaron, Gisele, Yusuf, Yasmine, Joseph, Tyler, Melody, Sehaj, Jannine, Mash, May, and Anaam—I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside you. In every issue, your commitment and dedication shone as you oversaw the various operations that underpinned The Medium. Our organization would not be the same without you!
Finally, to our readers—it is you to whom we owe the ultimate gratitude. Every time you pick up a paper or survey The Medium’s website, you do more than just read an article or admire an illustration; you become part of our community and get closer to our UTM family. Your engagement does not only celebrate the work of the student creatives who compose our team, it also recognizes the various individuals, clubs, and organizations central to our campus that we cover.
Come next year, my chief aspiration as Editor-In-Chief is to stand on the shoulders of those who came before me and to continue The Medium’s work. Alongside a powerful team, we will serve the UTM community as a trusted source of journalism that captures the essence of our campus.
At the same time, we will push forward and outside the borders of our paper to resume the work started this year to increase our campus reach. We’ve already done so much work to restore what the pandemic took from us—from restarting our social media platforms to expanding our in-person outreach to students—but, there is still more to do.
Ultimately, our collective goal is to serve you: the student body and our readers. So, if you have an idea as to where we can take The Medium, a pitch you’ve been dying to write or hear about, or are looking to pick up your pen this September, don’t hesitate to reach out—you can find me, starting this May at editor@themedium.ca.
To our incoming community—our masthead, contributors, UTM students, and readers around the world—it’s been an honour being a part of The Medium this year and an even greater honour to continue to serve it. I can’t wait to see what Volume 53 holds for us all.
Samuel Kamalendran
Managing Editor/Co-Editor-In-Chief of Volume 52
News Editor (Volume 51); Associate News Editor (Volume 50) — Samuel is a second-year student at UTM studying Politics and English. He previously worked with The Medium as an Associate News Editor and currently serves as the publication’s News Editor. Samuel is passionate about employing the power of writing to enhance our student community and hopes to help nurture a bright future for The Medium this year. In his spare time, Samuel can be found working out, creating music on the piano and drums, or exploring nature.