After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the EPCC newspaper for a position a year ago, I remember feeling frustrated.
I could have dismissed that silent gesture as an act of rejection and returned to the library to continue studying for the 19 credit units I was taking.
However, something inside of me refused to let it go. First of all, I did not appreciate rejection and still don’t. Second, I was curious to meet the news crew, and third, I was determined to become one of them.
I entered the newsroom, and exited a half-hour later having signed up as a volunteer reporter.
Since then, I have never felt such high prestige as a person – to be able to interview students and professionals, such as drama play directors, instructors and most significantly, Texas State Senator Eliot Shapleigh.
Not only was I honored to speak to them, but I could sense their honor of being interviewed.
It was this give-and-take exchange of positive energy that greatly fulfilled me as a reporter.
In the fall, I was promoted to copyeditor, which involved correcting other reporter’s articles. This experience, I admit, intimidated me at first, because I wasn’t accustomed to revising other people’s work.
Since I have my own style of writing, I was unsure if it would conflict with the others’ style. But Faculty Advisor Joe Old and Lab Manager Steve Escajeda made the transition feasible. This experience allowed me to grow as a writer.
Now I’m the editor, and that also presents a new set of challenges.
I’ve learned from the previous editors important characteristics, such as Nick Davis’ aggressiveness and Leslie Council’s insightfulness. I intend to combine those two, in addition to my enthusiasm and perfectionism, to create weekly issues with pertinent, factual, interesting and complete stories with great photos.
EPCC appears much bigger now, compared to when I was just taking courses. I feel a strong sense of possessiveness about EPCC and realize that my scope of vision must extend to all areas of this institution, especially the crevices.
I look forward to working with my crew and the people that will be involved in our up-coming articles. I imagine this year to be an important one with EPCC’s news, events, issues and regarding national news, the presidential elections.
By
Anoushka Valodya