Copy Editor Tate Vacarro (‘22) gives an aura of effortless coolness. She has been on the staff for two years and a copy editor for one year. She’s known for always having some sort of matcha drink in her hand in the morning, regularly sporting her UGGs slides, and multiple piercings. Her calm and composed energy makes it peaceful to be around her and she is always welcoming to other staff members.

When asked what her favorite part of The Tower was, she said it would have to be the layout meetings. “Just being together as a staff and eating pizza, running to In-N-Out, crowding around the table and watching Eurovision are some of my favorite things of being on The Tower,” she said

Tate and I joined The Tower the same year. I didn’t really know Tate at the time. I knew of her, but I didn’t know who she was as a person. As the crazy 2020-2021 COVID school year progressed, I slowly began to know her and she me (at least I hope so).During that year, I learned that Tate is endlessly thoughtful. Some of Tate’s first articles were about mental health, the environment, and COVID— showing just how much she cares about others. She is always thinking about others, especially when it comes to her articles. She oftentimes gives voice to the unheard and light to the dim, but more than that,  Tate is really kind. I think that’s a word we don’t use a lot, but Tate is truly nice. She is nice to you because that’s just the way she is it was such a refreshing feeling for me last year as a freshman. 

Tate said that The Tower taught her important communication skills and that “stories are often hidden in plain sight,” she said. Every time she writes a story, Tate said, she “learns so many new things that I could have never anticipated going into it. That’s definitely one of my favorite things, like learning about people around me and having the privilege of telling their stories.” Overall, Tate is most grateful for the way that The Tower pushed her to talk to new people that she didn’t know.

“Don’t be intimidated by people who might not be part of your inner circle,” Tate said, when asked about advice she would give to new staff writers. She said that one of the gems of journalism is that it “pushes you to get out there and talk to new people, and I think that’s really gratifying.” She expanded by saying that it helps you gain perspective on the community around you. 

I spent more time with Tate regularly when girls lacrosse started in the winter of 2021. She and I would talk in the shuttle lines (always about The Tower) but she always asked me how my day was going, even though she had no obligation to be nice to me. 

When Tate got the copy editor position last spring, she turned to me at lacrosse and said, “I have no idea how I got that position. I didn’t think I was going to get it at all.” I wasn’t surprised though. Tate is an incredible writer and would go to lengths to make sure someone else’s article was edited in time. She referenced her Danny Newsom article, where he was so grateful that she wanted to share his story. The football team (to whom she has no connection) also all read her article because of the connection they have to him. Tate has also written articles about people’s opinions on pants, girl’s soccer’s senior night, and people’s opinions on masks mandates. 

Tate, we will miss you next year. Thank you so much for your energy and copy editing my articles multiple times over. Whenever anyone talks of matcha, we will always think of you. 

As a last word of advice to others, Tate said, “Don’t be afraid to try scary things. You can tell people’s stories.”