My time at Elizabethtown College has flown by, and through these past four years, countless memories were made. Whether it be inside or outside the classroom, the experiences I’ve come across along the way will have a lasting effect. One experience in particular that helped me grow and find a passion was my work with “The Etownian.”
Near the end of my first year at Etown, my professor for my Multimedia Journalism class let me know of an exciting opportunity in the journalism field on campus. Dr. Kelly Poniatowski knew of my interests to eventually join the sports media field, so she caught me after class to tell me about the opening for the Assistant Sports Editor role with the College’s newspaper. I was initially hesitant, but I caved, and after an interview, I had my first writing gig.
The transition into the role went smoothly since I already had some experience with AP Style in my first-year communications classes, and Adobe InDesign from a Visual Communications class. Coming up with story ideas was definitely one of the more daunting aspects because of all the sporting events happening on campus every week. It was important to give each team coverage, while also highlighting the biggest games on campus. We also had to figure out how to fit each of these events into the Sports Editor’s and my hectic schedules, but that was part of the fun, and I know it really prepared me for the future. Eventually I became the Sports Editor, which is where I really found my passion for writing.
Going to the games on campus allowed me to relax and take a break from all my school work. Covering them didn’t feel like work at all, and it allowed me to build relationships. Whether it was administration, coaches or players, the people I met and interviewed along the way had interesting perspectives to tell, informing both myself and the people who would read my articles. I especially enjoyed covering stories on the women’s basketball team and their run to the NCAA Division III Tournament during my sophomore year. Not only were they a blast to write about, but the connection I’d make with Head Coach Veronica Nolt opened up new perspectives on my future path into the sports media industry.
While I had the expectation that I’d leave here as the Sports Editor, I eventually moved up to the Managing Editor position at the start of this semester, where I’ve been able to help oversee all sections and improve my writing and editing skills. It’s definitely not the same, but the experience has been incredibly beneficial. I’ve also built even stronger relationships with all the editors across the newspaper than I had as the editor for the sports section.
As I reflect on everything, I’m thankful for everyone who has been on “The Etownian” staff throughout my past three years with the paper. Specifically DaniRae Renno, who was the Editor-In-Chief this year, helped me grow tremendously in my roles with “The Etownian.” Neil Divins and David Bray have also seamlessly picked up the sports section where I left off, and it has only gotten better. These years have truly prepared me for the future, made me a better person and writer, and will be a time I remember fondly as I move forward in my career.
