And so, it’s the end of yet another term.
Orientation for T16 begins on Friday, and we’ve already been
seeing some new faces and names on Chatzy. Next term will be an exciting one,
as rumor has it a figure from RMI’s past will be returning. But before we look
to the future, it’s necessary to take a moment to look back and say farewell to
those who will not be joining us next term.
This is the last term for the author of Christian Philpott
and the Havelocks and in addition, the author of Abigail Embers and Braelyn
Adams has made the decision to step down from staff, though they will continue
to write their student characters. As some of our most senior staff members,
Christian and Abby have shaped RMI from the very beginning, and have played a
huge role in making the site the amazing place that it is today. Christian was
the first staff member to offer advanced courses, before they became an
official part of the site. Furthermore, they once wrote an entire musical to
put on IC through the theatre department. Abby is one of the founders of that
same theatre department, and has been running the ORMI site for years. On top
of that, they have put in countless hours of effort behind the scenes, from
finding new authors to subbing lessons to working closely with the
administrative team to keep the site going. They have gone above and beyond in
all that they have done for RMI, and their dedication to the site has been
incredible.
This term we are also sad to announce that we are saying
goodbye to Austin, RMI’s founder, and author of Aaron McKindy, Drequan Morris,
and a slew of other characters. Austin’s vision of creating a supportive
community of authors where people of all writing abilities are welcome is the
foundation on which RMI stands to this day. Since creating the site from
scratch over six years ago, Austin has been a steady force in guiding RMI
term-by-term, through the good and bad, at once confident in the site’s
strength and unafraid to innovate. Austin has always put authors first, and in
their time at RMI got to know many of us on a personal basis, becoming a
genuine friend in the process. In creating the site, they have provided a safe
space and foundational center for all of us. As RMI authors we are all familiar
with magic, and I would argue that Austin is, quite literally, magical, in
being the reason we are all here, as a community, today.
To Christian, Abby, and Austin, no amount of thanks will
ever cover all that you’ve done for RMI and its authors, on and off the site.
To Christian and Austin who will not be returning, we wish you the best of luck
in all your future endeavors. Know that RMI is always a home you can return to.
You will be missed.
