Mission 100 Days: The people who made me “Kaitlyn Belile”

By Kaitlyn Belile, Features Editor

Graduation: a time to celebrate achievements that you’ve worked so hard for. In my school, we had graduations for kindergarten, fourth grade, eighth grade and then 12th grade. I wonder what kindergarten me would think of me now, a college senior graduating in 92 days. I like to think that each version of me would be so proud of the person that I am now. 

I often get asked, “why Canisius?” When I was graduating high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do (as a lot of people experience). I decided to go to the community college near me – Erie Community College (ECC) – for two years to get my general courses out of the way. I think that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. In my first year at ECC, I started going to Sabres games. I like to think I was lucky that I understood the sport because my sister played hockey growing up. My dad works at KeyBank Center so I would go to games by myself and ended up falling in love with hockey. It was around this time that I realized I wanted to work in sports, specifically doing media. I love social media and the way that people can connect online and I wanted to be a part of that. My second year at ECC, I took classes that would teach me about media, and these classes confirmed that this was going to be it for me. I remember looking into programs in the area, and seeing what schools had a major and a sports program that would best suit me. It was between Canisius and Niagara…I think we know the obvious choice. 

I set my sights on Canisius and realized that if I wanted this, I would have to break barriers in my life and the world. The world of sports is a male-driven industry, and I think that women have every right to be a part of it and the power to make it happen. I was accepted, and immediately started looking at what I needed to contact in order to pursue sports media at Canisius. I went to an accepted students day and ended up connecting with Vinnie Christiano and Colton Pankiewicz. They both told me to fill out a form and once I did that, I had a meeting with the content team. Jarrett Abelson is the hockey sports information director so I got in contact with him and I first met the team on media day last year. Believe it or not – my current team probably wouldn’t – but I was terrified. I was so nervous to go and meet 30 college hockey players that didn’t know me and I didn’t know them. I had no idea what I was going to expect, but that experience ended up being incredible. I got to do my first video at that media day, and this experience was just another one of those things that solidified that this was it for me. I knew that this was what I was going to do for the rest of my life, and especially the rest of my college career. 

Another thing that I have always been interested in is music. I’ve always done chorus and band and I did musicals. Through these musicals I have met some of my best friends, and one of them is named Caroline. Caroline introduced me to Colin Richey, the sports editor of The Griffin. He told me that I would have a spot writing for sports if I wanted it whenever. So a little bit into my first semester, I reached out and I told him I wanted to be writing for sports, and he did a call with me and basically explained everything about how to write for not only The Griffin, but sports specifically. I am forever grateful for Caroline and Colin for giving me this incredible opportunity to write for the greatest newspaper ever.

There are so many people I want to think and give credit to for who I am today, but I think that it would be a mile long. The two people that have helped me the most in the world are my parents. If you know me, you know that I am super close with my family. I talk about my parents all the time. I brag about how cool they are and how accepting they have always been of me and my aspirations. As I said, my dad works for KeyBank Center and knows a lot of people that work in sports and has introduced me to some incredibly important connections. When I talk to these connections about my father, they always tell me that he speaks very highly of me. He is the reason that I have gotten so many opportunities in my life. My mom has always pushed me to be the best version of myself, not only in my work, but also in my friendships and my relationships. She has always believed in me and encourages me to pursue my dreams every single day. My mom works at a school for kids with autism, which I have spent most of my life around. I have been able to volunteer at the school and interacting with the teachers that work with my mom is incredibly rewarding. They always tell me how my mom has nothing but good things to say about me and all of the success I have had. I like to think that my parents are the reasons I have so many incredible things in my life. My siblings are another reason I have gotten to this point. My oldest sister helped me apply to schools, my other sister – who also went to ECC – made my schedules for me and they both are constantly making sure I am keeping up with school. The two of them will talk to me about anything and everything and I could not ask for better mentors in my life. My brother showed me how different opportunities can lead you to different paths that you never expected, but can’t imagine life without them. He is the calm presence in our family, and also the comedic relief. I have never thought of my siblings without thinking of how strong and resilient they are. 

There is another group of people I have to thank for the way that they shaped me, not only during these past four years, but for my entire life: Brett Johnson, Jordan Manly, Abby Holmes and Kaitlyn Dulski. I didn’t go to elementary school with any of these people, so middle school was life changing. I met Kaitlyn during fifth grade orientation and our friendship was immediate because we have the same name. Kaitlyn is one of the kindest people I know, and she has always been confident in all of my abilities. Jordan Manly is one of the greatest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I met Jordan when we were young because our brothers played lacrosse together. We would hang out during games, and I don’t think that version of me would believe how close we still are today. Jordan is one of my best friends in the entire world and I cannot imagine a single day without her. She has been there for me through every step of my life and continues to show me how much love she carries with her. I met Brett when I was approximately three years old. Our sisters were best friends, and since I wanted to be included in everything my sister did, I met Brett. I am grateful for our sister's friendship because Brett is genuinely one of the most incredible human beings that I have the pleasure of being friends with. Jordan, Brett and I have a group chat called Heated Rivalthree (p.s. I love “Heated Rivalry”) and the three of us talk about everything from movie suggestions to how we want to change the world. Abby was someone I met at the same time that I met Caroline who I mentioned earlier. Abby, Caroline, Jordan and I did a musical together and grew closer than I could have ever imagined. Abby is absurdly talented and I brag often about how she goes to school in New York City for musical theater. Abby is the one person who I never doubt will understand me. Every single day I am reminded of how much love I have in my life through these people. 

 During my first week of classes at Canisius, there was a girl sitting outside of Palisano that I happened to approach. I did not know many people at the school, and I was very quiet during my first semester. This girl and I started talking and I quickly found out that we grew up five minutes away from each other. This girl is now one of my closest friends, and the news editor of this paper. Katie Dusza was my first friend here and I don’t have words to describe how grateful I am for her friendship. Through the newspaper, I also met another two of my best friends, the managing editor and copy editor. Hannah Wiley and Kaitlin O’Meara have changed every part of my life, in and out of school. This past school year, the two girls have supported me in every way that they possibly could. I cannot thank them enough for making sure that I know that I have people in my corner at all times. The girls come to events when I don’t want to go alone, they let me hang out in their house when I don’t want to see anyone, they let me stay the night when I don't want to drive home and they support my rights and my wrongs. I would not want to experience Canisius with anyone else. 

I want to thank all of my friends, my entire family, the Canisius athletics team and The Griffin staff for encouraging me, supporting me and making sure that I am the best version of myself.