After my time at Whitewater, I’ve had the chance to experience a lot of different moments that I’ll carry with me. Some were straightforward, others were challenging, but all of them played a role in shaping how I approached this work and how I see myself within it.
When I first started, I didn’t have a complete understanding of what goes into reporting on a daily basis. There’s a difference between writing something and learning how to report on it the right way. Asking the right questions, being prepared, and making sure details are accurate and fair to the individuals involved. That was something I had to learn over time.
Like most experiences, there were ups and downs along the way. There were stories that came together smoothly and others that took more time and adjustment than expected. Deadlines, revisions, and learning how to manage multiple events, stories, or games at once was all part of the process. While at times it was challenging, it also pushed me to improve in ways I wouldn’t have otherwise.
At the same time, there were countless positives that came out of my experience with Royal Purple.
Getting to cover athletes, coaches and different programs gave me a much greater appreciation for the work that goes into what they do. Every story has its own context and learning how to tell those things apart in stories in an accurate way became one of the most beneficial things for me.
The people in the newsroom also played a crucial role in the development. Being in a newsroom means you’re constantly surrounded by people who are also trying their hardest to complete the same mission. I’d like to mention my appreciation for my Assistant Editor, Sadie Elwood, who is an amazing journalist that has helped me greatly during my time as editor. Additionally, the editor-in-chief of Royal Purple, Chase Keller, has been a wonderful mentor and leader, always encouraging high quality news and helping his staff in the best ways possible. Last, I’d like to acknowledge Keith Zukas for his role in Royal Purple as well as his guidance as a journalism professor.
It’s inevitable that the Royal Purple would not survive without the help of every member on staff carrying their weight and that just shows how special this program is.
Looking back, this staff’s consistency has stood out the most. Everyone shows up, and gets their work done, continuing to improve over time. That consistency is what made the Royal Purple work, but it’s also what made it meaningful to be a part of. It’s easy to overlook how much effort goes into every issue until you’re actually in it, and then realize how many moving pieces must come together for things to function at a high level.
As I move forward, that mindset will stay with me: the idea that showing up and putting in consistent effort matters just as much as any individual moment of success, which I believe applies far beyond journalism.
In all, this experience has been less about a single defining moment and more about the gradual growth of this group. Learning to improve as a whole, and how to cooperate with one another in a real setting is what I’ll take from this chapter.
I’m overly grateful for my time here and for the opportunity to be part of a staff crew who continues to challenge each other in the best way.
