Mayor Wilfred Rosas, right, gives a proclamation to Nicole Gugino.

On Sept. 7, 2010, I walked into the OBSERVER and later attended my first meeting. It was the Silver Creek Village Board meeting and I went in hoping I would do a good job.

This past week I attended my last meeting for the paper. But, this time I walked out as city editor and with the honor of having a day in the city of Dunkirk named for me.

I have accepted a position with Erie 1 BOCES in West Seneca where I will be assisting districts with presenting themselves to their communities.

My seven and a half years with the paper have been a whirlwind and a pleasure and have allowed me a place I will always consider home.

I graduated from SUNY Fredonia in 2010 with only a vague idea of what I wanted to do for a career. When I saw the ad in the paper for a reporter position, I had never considered the profession, but I have always been good at writing and I applied. I wasn’t originally chosen for the position, but began freelancing. It was serendipitous that the position opened up again three weeks later.

I started this venture working in Silver Creek after the 2009 flood, covered the construction of the bridge over Cattaraugus Creek in Hanover, the dissolution of the village of Forestville and the construction of SUNY Fredonia’s science center as a staff writer and then as assistant news editor.

I then took on the role of city editor at the same time Dunkirk elected the first Hispanic mayor in New York state. It has been an honor to work with elected officials and the community, with a special shout out to former Silver Creek Mayor Nick Piccolo — who never hesitated to call me when Walnut Creek was flooding — the ladies of Sunset and Hanford bays who attended every Hanover meeting with me (you know who you are) and Mayor Willie Rosas, who has been a wonderful partner in helping me get the news out about Dunkirk’s challenges and its triumphs.

I am proud to have played even a small part in educating the public on important issues like those at Brooks Memorial and Lake Shore hospitals, showcasing students’ accomplishments and community events like Silver Creek’s Christmas in the Park and Dunkirk’s air shows, as well as covering progress made like that of Dunkirk’s many projects and welcoming Athenex.

Those I have worked with have made my experience special and I would be remiss without thanking my coworkers over the years. Without the dedication of a few reporters and editors, the paper wouldn’t get to the community seven days a week, 365 days a year. Many have come and gone — too many friends to list — but I want to mention my publisher, John D’Agostino, who always encouraged me, Craig Harvey who helped me get the paper done when my boss Greg Bacon (who hired me) was out and my “chip dip party buddies,” Amanda Dedie, Rebecca Cuthbert, Andrew Kuczkowski and Greg Fox (who is once again my coworker at BOCES). John also got me involved with United Way of Northern Chautauqua County, which through my involvement has solidified my love for the community.

I also want to thank my family — my parents Frank and Debbie Gugino, my sister (soon to be doctor of pharmacy) Julia (Brian) Walsh, and my boyfriend, Sean Congdon and his family — who accommodated my “news schedule” and have always been supportive.

Also deserving of thanks is my grandma, Dolores Gugino, who in addition to always being supportive, helped me answer to the best of our ability the question I have been asked the most over the years — “Which Gugino am I related to?” I think it’s fitting now to put it to rest. My last name comes from my grandfather, Joseph “Rocky” Gugino, who grew up in Brant and later moved to Collins where he and my grandma established the family strawberry farm. According to my grandma, I am related to some Guginos in Fredonia that owned a lumber yard (she said my grandpa called them cousins). However, Gugino is a common Italian name in America, mainly due to confusion at Ellis Island. As I told County Executive George Borrello (who I may or may not be related to) on one of my last assignments, a ride along with Meals on Wheels, “I just figure I’m related to most people, if not as a Gugino, then as a Gernatt on my mom’s side.”

Lastly, I want to thank my readers. I have tried to treat every person like family and every issue like it was happening in my backyard. I feel confident leaving my beat in the hands of Jim McCarthy and wish him the best.

I am embarking on a new journey with a new first day, hoping I will do a good job, but I will continue to write and take the lessons I have learned at the OBSERVER with me.