My second year of college had brought with it some restlessness.
I had spent so much time my first year focusing on adapting to the unfamiliar environment and adjusting to a new type of workload that I forgot to search for something to keep me sane amidst the stress of college life.
I began to look for clubs and activities that would provide this much needed relief and give me a group to fall back on when being a student started to feel like too much. The theater club on campus was the first I joined, but I think I knew something was missing. It was only one passion after all, and I wanted to do more.
It was in October of 2022 when I was walking through the Student Activity Center that I came across a poster that caught my eye. Advertised in big letters was The Winonan, the campus newspaper. An opportunity to make some easy money through writing? I was all in.
I have always enjoyed creative writing, but the desire to do so fell pretty hard once school started. While I knew it would be different writing than what I was used to (and I had absolutely no intention of exploring journalism coming into college), I felt that writing articles for the paper would be a great way to escape my required assignments and find a reason to start writing for me again.
Jumping headfirst into The Winonan, I hadn’t expected to find myself in the sports section of the paper.
As much as my dad might argue with me, I have never been much of a sports fan. I had tried to play a few when I was younger, but they did not stick and had never interested me like other activities did.
However, the editor of the section at the time, Syerah, changed my mind.
Her love for athletics was almost contagious. She showed me that while I may not be much of a fan, I can still translate my love for writing onto a page in a way that others can enjoy. In other words, sports writing can be fun!
When she left, she passed her editor position along to me, another unexpected achievement from my time in The Winonan.
As an editor, I wanted to encourage my writers to write about what they enjoy. This opportunity can easily feel limited in the sports section, so I hope that I have opened a few doors, and showed my current and future sports reporters that sports articles do not just have to be recaps of games. Instead, they can bring athletes and coaches to life in profiles, put a spotlight on otherwise underrepresented athletic clubs available on campus, or even share events that the athletics department puts on for the community that might interest even those not particularly keen on sports.
My experience as an editor has been nothing short of amazing. Not only have I been able to demonstrate leadership abilities, but I also feel as though I have watched each reporter that has either passed through or maintained their position in the sports section grow, both as a person and as a writer.
Outside of the sports section, I am glad I have been able to connect with so many others who are passionate about writing, and I cannot wait to continue to read all the amazing articles you all produce for The Winonan.
So, to begin to wrap up, once again, to Syerah, thank you for believing in me and passing me the torch. I hope I did good with your section, made you proud, and made as big of an impact on them as you did on me.
To Gabe, I was stunned at your writing capabilities when you joined the staff, and I am positive that you are going to make an amazing editor. I am very excited to see what you do with the section, make it your own. Remember that you can always reach out to me for advice on anything, I am just a text away!
To Pronob, the sports reporter who has been with me essentially since I started. I am truly so proud of the progress your writing has made. You grew right alongside me, and I think that is amazing. I am so excited to see what you do in the future, and it really has been an honor to be your editor.
To Camden and Conrad, the growth in your writing has also been so amazing to see. Cam, your articles are always so interesting and personal, and you are simply a pleasure to be around. True sunshine. Conrad, while your articles are impressive, your photos are truly works of art, and I hope to see more in the future.
To Alayna, I am so excited that you are leading the masses next year, I know you will be a wonderful editor-in-chief. Your writing is beautiful, and I hope you keep at least a foot in the door of journalism in your future, because your capability to bring a story to life and invoke emotion is one to admire.
To Elly, your leadership this past year has been nothing short of amazing. I appreciate your patience with me as I navigated through tricky waters (this past semester especially). Your work always wows me, and I can’t wait to see more. I consistently enjoyed it when the editors were able to get together and gab, as the lighthearted banter was able to make a poor day better. Thank you again.
To Kara, my roommate, my light, my life, I am so glad that I roped you into The Winonan all that time ago. Being able to share the stresses of print weeks and groan about InDesign with you has been lovely. I am proud of you and am so in awe with everything you do. As sad as I am that this chapter of our lives together is coming to an end, I would not have wanted to do it with anyone else. Much love, friend.
To Doug, I know we haven’t seen each other in a while, but that doesn’t make me any less grateful for your guidance and confidence in my abilities. You listened to me gripe and kept me uplifted while simultaneously poking fun at me, and I truly do miss our biweekly meetings (which really consisted of 20% paper talk and 80% gossip). Thank you for pushing me to be my best.
Of course, I also thank my friends and family at home for reading my work and being proud of me for what I have done in college. Your support means the world.
This past year was tough for many reasons but being able to spend Friday evenings with a group of wonderful people and being able to read so many fantastically written articles was certainly a highlight. I hope I have made at least a small impact on The Winonan, as It has been a part of my life for a while now, and it will certainly feel different without it.
Good luck to the future Winonan team, and please, keep writing. Our unique capabilities give voice and perspective to subjects that may otherwise go untouched, and I think that is incredibly beautiful.
Farewell,
Kailey Doeseckle
