Why I Love the Newspaper

If you’re reading this, let me extend my gratitude. I love to write, and even though I know newspapers aren’t as big as they used to be, I continue to write because I love the language, I love the field, but most of all I love my colleagues.

In only my second semester here at Plymouth, I was given the opportunity to work for The Clock when I took the course Practicum in Publication. It was an environment I wasn’t accustomed to. I got credit for working, but the only grading I received came from my editors. Instead of letters, they offered advice.

Though they may not know it, this advice meant the world to me. It meant that my new role models were paying attention to me, and they were encouraging me to do better. This personal connection made the office more than a hole in the wall, it became my sanctuary.

Every meeting I looked forward to seeing the faces of my new friends as I walked in, hearing the routine review of last week from my Editor in Chief, Matt Ormsbee, and laughing at the periodic outbursts from our Sports Editor, Eric Brill. To this day, I’m sure they didn’t know I was sitting there each meeting.

I’m glad I was sitting down when the opportunity came for me to be the next News Editor, because had I not been I’m sure I would have fallen over. The moment was surreal, and it was everything I wanted. I had gone from being a weekly contributor to the head of a section. I started to dream of a future in journalism, and it was all because the people I work with put their trust in me.

At times I haven’t appreciated this gift. On more than one occasion I’ve spoken out of turn, or talked down to a colleague. I tried editing sections that weren’t mine in a paper that was already published. The same editors who made me fall in love with the newspaper were now losing any respect they may have had. My attempt at ambition backfired and in its place stood arrogance. I started to feel burned out, loathing the office I thought I loved.

Then I thought about something Matt told me. He said the best Editor in Chief is someone who cares. The simplicity in his tone reminded me of a time that seems so long ago, but was less than a year. When I first started to care. I cared about what I was writing, I cared about what I was doing, but most of all I cared about who I was with. I appreciated knowing that if I needed help I could turn to these people, and they were there for me. I could write an article and know that it would be read by Libby, Ben, Bobby, Rachel, Tim, Matt, and my editor Ali. People going out of their way to help me, because they cared.

I love the newspaper. I love seeing my name in it each week after how hard I worked the week before. But even more than that I love the people who have supported me, encouraged me, and put up with me each week. I know I still have a lot to learn, and I know I’ll make plenty more mistakes. But if it wasn’t for every individual in the office, none of this would matter. Before you read this column or any article I’ve written, it was read by people who matter more to me than even I realized. 

That’s why I love the newspaper.