GPI - Sophia Oppedisano and Adrien Gobin, Outgoing managers of The Gatepost

By Dylan Pichnarcik

Associate Editor

[ Editor’s Note: Sophia Oppedisano is the Editor-in-Chief, and Adrien Gobin is an Associate Editor for The Gatepost. Both will graduate later this month. ]

Courtesy of Sophia Oppedisano

What has your experience at Framingham State been like? Oppedisano: I transferred to Framingham State when I was a freshman in 2022 for the spring semester. I was a psychology major. After that semester, I decided to change paths and enrolled in the Communication Arts program. During that time, I was a resident assistant in West Hall and worked to build connections with RAs, SDAs, and students on campus. And then I took a break from being an RA, and I joined The Gatepost in the sports section. Because of my experience there, I made another pivot to the English department with a journalism concentration, and I kept minors in both my psychology background and my communications background. During that spring on The Gatepost, I worked my way up from Staff Writer to Assistant Sports Editor to Sports Editor, and I was so happy I had found my passion. I loved working with the athletes, working with the Athletics Department, and I loved everyone I met at The Gatepost. Those were my two lives at Framingham State. I was an RA while I was Sports Editor for a year, and then this year, I've focused on being the Editor-in-Chief. Gobin: I am originally from Florida, but I came here in 2022 as a freshman to study communication arts. My mom's an alumna from here. She graduated in 1992. She was very involved on campus. That's part of the reason why I got very involved. I joined The Gatepost in September of my freshman year at the first meeting of the year. I was never a Staff Writer, but I started as a Staff Photographer. Then, shortly after, I think in October, I was Assistant Photos & Design Editor, and then, in 2023, I was Photos & Design Editor, which I did for two years. I’ve also interned with the Worcester Railers, which was a wonderful experience, and it's in my field. I’m also an athletics intern and Rams Engagement Ambassador for the Dean of Students. What has your experience with The Gatepost meant to you? Oppedisano: When I gave my speech before I was elected Editor-in-Chief, I said that The Gatepost gave me a direction, it gave me a passion, and it gave me a career path. But what I didn't really mention in that speech was the friendships that The Gatepost afforded me. My first editor, Adam Levine, I still talk to him. Riley Crowell and I are still good friends. Sophia Harris and I will always be in contact. I've had the privilege of working with Leighah Beausoleil this semester at the Community Advocate. The network truly does run so deep. And at this point, of course, I'm so grateful for the experience that being on The Gatepost gave me, and what I gained from being Editor-in-Chief. I never expected to be in this position. Most importantly, I would say, The Gatepost gave me my friendships with Adrien and Dylan. I couldn't be more grateful for them. We've had a really hard year, and I'm grateful I’ll be able to look back and remember all the good times we had. Gobin: The Gatepost gave me direction. When I started here, I had no idea what I wanted to do. All I knew was I wanted to work in something communications-related. Photojournalism was never a thought for me. I did newspaper and yearbook in high school, but I never thought it would extend beyond high school. I never thought I could make a career out of this. When I started here, I didn’t have much experience with sports photography. It turns out it’s my passion, and sports have become my life. I also gained so many amazing mentors and relationships from The Gatepost. Maddison Behringer was my former editor, and I am so thankful to have been trusted with her spot. It has given me such a social place, and it has given me some of my best friends. I am forever grateful for every opportunity The Gatepost has given me and the people who have made it the best experience possible. If you could go back and complete college again, would you do anything differently? Oppedisano: I would stop myself from being so scared. Scared of joining in. Scared of being perceived by others. Scared of doing what really makes me happy. I could’ve been on The Gatepost sooner, or I could’ve joined the English major earlier and had time to sink deeper into my studies. There are so many would’ve, could’ve, should’ve’s, and I want to sit here and tell you how I would start over, but in reality, I know if I had to do it again with no fear or apprehension - it wouldn’t turn out like this. I met my best friends here, the love of my life, and mentors I will have in my corner forever. I learned how to be bolder, stronger, independent, and, most importantly, I learned what makes me happy. I owe all of that to Framingham State. So, while I would start over again just to stay here longer, Framingham State has already given me everything I need. Gobin: I don’t think I would do anything differently. I think my experience needed to happen the way it did. My first semester, I wanted to transfer, and honestly, one of the things that kept me going was The Gatepost and the people here. Framingham State has been the best experience of my life. It has given me the most amazing memories, best friends who are like family to me, and mentors who I will cherish for life. It has shaped me into the person I needed to be, and if I never ended up here, I have no idea where I would be or who I would be. If I could do it all again, I would in a heartbeat 10 times over.