As we wrap up 2019, we’re taking a look back at our 10 favorite stories from 2019: both those we published right here in the enews, and one we shared with the world on the UO’s homepage.

10. “One Minute of Pure Chaos.” Former cheerleading captain Chris Avery, BS ’15, wraps up his rookie season on the Team USA bobsled team.

9. Fall and Rise (and Fall) of the Reggae Girlz. When the decade began, Jamaica didn’t even have a women’s national soccer team. Thanks to midfielder Marlo Sweatman, BA ’16, and Bob Marley’s daughter Cedella, the Reggae Girlz qualified for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup—only to disband yet again after the tournament.

8. Love and Activism. A classic love story. Boy meets girl. Boy falls for girl. Boy proposes to girl. Girl says no, because she’s too busy saving the environment, including cleaning up the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

7. “Am I Going to Die?” Former UO and NFL star Haloti Ngata on football, family, philanthropy, and the charity trek that almost killed him.  

6. The Sound of Bones. Winsome Lee, BS ’12, helps the living by listening to what the dead have to say.

5. 14,000 miles. One Dream. Surfer Eric Sharman, BA ’19, cleans Pacific Ocean beaches during a motorcycle trip from Coos Bay to Tierra del Fuego.

4. Collier, a History. One of the UO’s oldest buildings once housed a billiards room and a restaurant, and was where famed architect—and Lawrence Hall namesake—Ellis Lawrence drew his last breath.

3. The Duck in Death Cab. How Death Cab for Cutie’s Dave Depper, BS ’02, ran from the School of Music and Dance to rock stardom.

2. Why Thibodeaux Picked the UO. For the nation’s top football recruit, Allen Hall was just as important as Autzen Stadium.

1. Introducing Raphe Beck. Getting to know the UOAA’s new executive director: the son of a college professor and husband of a middle school teacher who once wrote a screenplay about Animal from the Muppets.