The 'Shroom:Issue LXIX/Thank You
Hello everybody, this is SMB here. It seems like it has been a long time– I have been directing this paper for two years now, and I have seen this paper in good times and in bad times. And so I look back on the time that has past, and I begin to realize how much The 'Shroom has actually changed— I can say without a doubt that the project has improved during my time as Director, and that many great things have developed. However, I can also say with certainty that I am not the one that should be credited with all of this progress. Of course, this distinction goes to the writers and the other Core Staff members of The 'Shroom... without these integral contributors, the project would be nothing and the effort that has been invested over the past years would be rendered moot.
And so I would like to offer my deepest thanks to everybody that has made The 'Shroom what it is. I am sure that the amount of people that have contributed to the news paper in my time as Director, let alone for the entirety of its existence, can never be narrowed down to a specific number. Many people have shaped the project in a variety of ways (those that respond to the Feedback Surveys, those that make suggestions to the executives, the ones that sign up for sections, members of the community that participate in The 'Shroom Awards, the staff that has helped us along the way, and people that have done us huge favors by contributing guest pieces and artwork and such)... everybody's support makes it worthwhile. The enthusiasm from the community in turn makes me enthusiastic about having the honor to lead the project and manage its operations, and as long as this constant excitement and yearning for improvement continues, The 'Shroom has a long and bright future ahead of itself.
On the managerial side of everything here, we have a strong team that makes each month go as smoothly as it can. Kibago (talk) has been an amazing Sub-director and an invaluable member of the Core Staff, and it is thanks to him that each month our new issues are ready to go out and that everything is prepared in time for release day each time. Henry Tucayo Clay (talk) has done an outstanding job as Statistics Manager– his job is absolutely not an easy one, and it often requires him to do extensive research into past issues and past discussions and whatnot, yet he always manages to be there when we need him to carry out his duties. Marioguy1 (talk), although slightly inactive at this point, has often pitched good ideas and has served The 'Shroom in an honorable fashion in his time as a staff member. Our Sub-team Directors— MrConcreteDonkey (talk) (Fake News Director), Gamefreak75 (talk) (Fun Stuff Director), Smasher (talk) (Music & Artwork Director), Paper Yoshi (talk) (Pipe Plaza Director), and Crocodile Dippy (talk) (Critic Corner Director)— have all put their fullest efforts into their teams and the staff discussions overall, and each and every one of them brings special and unique qualities to the table as staff members. Overall, it has been an honor to serve with them (as well as Twentytwofiftyseven (talk), Ralphfan (talk), Stooben Rooben (talk), and Fawfulfury65 (talk)) on the staff team throughout my time as Director, and the experience would not have been the same if any of them were not involved.
Of course, there are also the writers, who comprise the backbone of this project. Many people have come and gone, and several have consistently submitted sections over a longer period of time. Every writer's contribution to the paper has helped us grow and release quality issues over the months, and so I am always happy to see older writers stick around and newer members also trying out for sections– I feel that it is a very good way to get to know the members of our community and to have a melting pot of users of diverse backgrounds getting together and shaping this project into something fantastic. Volunteer writers, guests, and those that contribute special aspects to each issue also make a great impact and they bring a certain dynamic to The 'Shroom that we would not have any other way. All in all, seeing the different members of the community getting together and making this newspaper a reality is what makes it so great... the publication has truly been for the readers and for the writers, and in the end that is what makes it so great.
And so I say all of this because I truly appreciate the work that everybody has done. I have personally witnessed many excited individuals come in with the goal of making the paper its best, and in the end that makes me honored to be the Director of a project with such positive energy behind it. To think that practically four years ago, there were suggestions being thrown around that called for the abolition of this project... and that many years later, The 'Shroom has rebounded significantly and a new dedication to it has risen. I am thankful for everybody that has made this possible, and I myself will always hold a special place in my heart for the Official Newspaper of the Super Mario Wiki and everybody that has shaped it.
Thank you everybody,
