This was my final semester as the Opinions Editor on The Hawk. I started out as a shy sophomore unaware of what I was getting myself into. I had no idea that this newspaper would grow into my family, and that I found my niche. I took a semester off when I went abroad Spring 2012, and eagerly welcomed my position backed in Fall 2012. Each and every semester showed great improvement in my section, and I can firmly say that this was the best my section has ever looked.
The whole paper underwent a makeover this semester. I think it looks so much more modern and it appeals to the audience more. College kids are used to seeing blogs, and big font, and I think that this redesign hit the nail on the head. Everyone complemented me when they saw it, saying that they loved the new design.
Jess Olenik was the third editor in chief I have worked under on The Hawk. To be completely honest I was a little worried about Jess’s lack of experience with the newspaper. However she proved me wrong and went above and beyond for her staff. I also worried that I would not mesh well with the new staff, because they all had a semester together to grow and learn how they work together. I had seen how much fun they all had in the spring and I was afraid I would be left out on the end of the desk. Again, this staff proved me wrong. I was welcomed with open arms, and I think they appreciated my experience. Often times they would ask me what we used to do in past, and wanted to take tips out of past editorials.
The editorial process went well this year. Everyone listened, and contributed to the conversation more so than in past years. Unfortunately, often times we didn’t have as many news stories I wanted to editorialize. However, we published my favorite editorial on December 5 entitled “The buck stops here”. Normally I wrote the rough draft for editorials and then we sent them around to the staff for everyone to make edits. This week though, Joe Cerrone and I team wrote it. I think that by using my skills as an editorial writer, and Joe’s skills as a talented news writer, we put out the best editorial. We were all extremely disappointed and frustrated with the $8million shortfall the university is faced with, and it came across in the final product. We received many compliments and emails from professors congratulating us on our article accompanied with the editorial.
I love when we get feedback on articles we’ve written. Of course it is nice when it is positive, but I appreciate the negative comments as well. It’s a way to grow and I believe constructive criticism is key to any change. Letters to the editor were few and far between as usual. We only had two, but they were really good. Frank Mcdevitt, the former A&E editor wrote in about the negative SJU parody accounts. I was happy that someone who graduated from Saint Joseph’s University proved my point that it’s not just the Saint Joe’s kids that see these accounts. It reflects poorly on the university as a whole.
Before the election my section was almost entirely political articles. I really enjoyed showcasing the fact that college kids do in fact care about the future of our country. It was important to stay neutral as an editor, and make sure everyone got his or her voice’s heard. I think I did a good job getting everyone’s opinions across, and I think the political articles were all well received.
My big project this semester was my column, “Love on Hawk Hill”. It started out one week when I had no real content that I was happy with. My big thing, all four semesters here is that I want to run content in my section that students actually want to read. People love reading stories they can relate to, especially when it happens on our campus. Last year I wrote a column about the walk of shame, and it never got published. In retrospect, I am happy it didn’t. It wasn’t well written, and portrayed a side of college students that I don’t think needs to be broadcast. One Monday afternoon I was sitting in the office re-reading the old article, trying to figure out a way to tweak it to make it publishable. Then it hit me- I would write about relationships on as a whole in college. I have had my fair share of bad luck when it comes to dating, and I thought that by sharing my experiences, I would help other people who have been unlucky in love.
The column was received better than I had ever hoped. I had people coming up to me on campus, out at bars, and via social media telling me how much they loved it. I was once even called the “Carrie Bradshaw” of Hawk Hill. As a Sex and the City junkie, I was elated. The column was supposed to be only a month long series, but it was so well received that Jess and Marissa asked me to keep writing it. It’s been decided that I will keep writing it next semester as well. My favorite story about the comments on the column is about the Men’s Lacrosse team. I heard from another editor that they read it in the locker room every week, and even “Facebook stalked” me. The fact that these big tough lacrosse boys are interested in my love column cracks me up. When they found me on Facebook they made sure to tell everyone, “But it’s not Katie Young, it’s her middle name”. All jokes aside, I think this column showed how if something is well written, and relatable to everyone it can be universally appealing.
My favorite thing about the Hawk is the family that I have gained. I still talk to the editors from my first semester regularly. They are the people I look up to and admired when I was new. I hope that after I am gone, the people on staff will still talk to me and continue to ask me for advice. The Hawk’s online editor asked us to name our favorite thing about the Hawk. My answer will forever be the same: “My favorite thing about The Hawk is the sense of community we foster inside, and outside of the office. You spend a large portion of your time on campus with these people to make the best paper possible, and you become a family. And when all of your hard work pays off, and you hear people on campus talking about your articles – it makes the long hours and headaches worth it.”
A Work In Progress 