I was shaking on the way to my first interview as an inexperienced reporter for the Southern Accent. It was scary three years ago knowing that simply because I bore the title “reporter” people would entrust me to tell their stories accurately and fairly. It’s still daunting sometimes.
Practicing professional journalism is a tremendous responsibility, and one I’ve learned to handle over the past three years as a reporter, news editor and managing editor for the Accent. That’s not to say I have nothing left to learn — quite the contrary, actually. I’m prepared to throw myself in the deep end of my field once again in a new leadership role, editor-in-chief of next year’s Accent.
It was scary three years ago knowing that simply because I bore the title “reporter” people would entrust me to tell their stories accurately and fairly. It’s still daunting sometimes.
In the past, I’ve had the privilege of covering topics such as COVID-19 on campus, the introduction of a new university president, Collegedale citizens’ fight to keep the town rural and the implementation of a new mascot. I am excited to see what stories next year brings as I search for new ways to serve Southern Adventist University’s campus.
My vision for next year’s volume of the Accent is to maintain the integrity and professionalism of the newspaper, improve our community coverage, better educate readers on how the journalistic process works, produce stronger visuals and increase student engagement. Readers, keep me accountable — some have accused me of being overly ambitious.
I am excited to see what stories next year brings as I search for new ways to serve Southern Adventist University’s campus.
I am certain, however, that next year’s Accent team can accomplish these goals because I have seen the newspaper do great things under the leadership of Paola Mora Zepeda, Megan Yoshioka and Alana Crosby, whom I consider to be a fearless writer and one of the most resilient leaders I’ve known. I’ll miss you, Alana.
I am incredibly grateful for the precedent set by each of them, as well as for their passion and friendship. I am also grateful for the guidance, support and love I have received from Accent adviser Alva James-Johnson throughout my college experience.
I look forward to applying my experience, skills and passion toward continuing the impressive legacy of the Accent during the 2023-2024 school year.
