This is one of my favorite parts of journalism. Editing ensures quality publications that inform and connect with our community, and further strengthen my understanding of what it means to be a student journalist and a leader. Moreover, beyond the opportunity to pursue and improve my passion of writing about and exploring the world around me, it has also granted me personal development in the realm of leadership, as well as strong social bonds that formed lasting friendships.
Editing, Leadership, & Team Building:
Editing a publication and maintaining and editing role is no easy feat. However, painstakingly thorough editing processes make for quality publications, as well as collectively improved journalistic skills and content. Through communication, training, checklists, and (lots and lots of) practice, our editing skills ensure quality publications.
Alongside the rest of The Cougar Chronicle leadership staff, I endeavor to create a welcoming environment for all staff members, where feeling encouraged and motivated is a constant norm and where leadership staff are not only approachable but integrated into the general staff. Especially as communication with our community is our job as student journalists, a highly communicative atmosphere is necessary to achieve this: in a continuous cycle of guidance, feedback, and improvement, I strive to better the environment of our newsroom, and in turn, the quality of our publication - and vice versa.
Team building has become a central part of our staff development. We aim to start strong to ring in the beginning of a new school year, and finish in celebration at the end. In the months in between, we cherish our friendships with one another in group gatherings, strengthen our collective journalistic skills in convention trips, and honor our dedicated and powerful work throughout the year. In building morale, we encourage deeper connections with and passion for quality publications, proving itself an integral aspect of the success of our newspaper.