Your Wartburg Trumpet editors, photo by Karma Goodson
As the second semester of my first year as The Wartburg Trumpet Editor-in-Chief kicks off, I have had plenty of time to reflect on the highs and lows of my first semester as a leader for this program. As part of my promise to share the raw emotions of this job, here is a first semester recap.
Starting the year off strong, I faced what most 19-year-olds never do, shingles. Bed rest mixed with the navigation of an illness that teenagers are not accustomed to was a unique way to begin my sophomore year. During the month of September, I was most thankful for the editorial staff and the rest of the journalism department who forced me to rest despite how stubborn I was and picked up the slack where I was unable.
Freshman Madi Petersen and I covering Wartburg football together! Photo by Addy Wells
October was where I learned the most about leadership and the role that my attitude played in keeping our program moving. Going into this year, I knew that I would learn so much about myself, what it meant to lead and how that would change me as a person. I have always known that your attitude can impact the attitude of others, but it isn’t something that you think too much about until it happens in front of your eyes.
October was where I learned the most about leadership and the role that my attitude played in keeping our program moving. When the extent of my influence was brought to my attention, I took the opportunity to reflect on my ability to separate my personal life from my professional life. I learned that it’s necessary for leaders to leave their baggage at the door and show up consistently for our program to effectively operate. We are bound to make mistakes as students, and I am so grateful for the guidance of my advisor and this early life lesson.
As high school football wrapped up in October, our Sports Editor, Addy Wells and I received the opportunity to write for the Waverly Newspapers. This experience took us to Gilbertville to cover 8-man playoffs for high school football. Addy and I were able to see what reporting looks like post-college, which was such a great opportunity to receive as a sophomore.
Addy Wells and I covering 8-man high school football playoffs on Halloween.
In October, The Wartburg Trumpet set aside various articles to submit to the Iowa College Media Association (ICMA) for the conference in February. With high hopes to bring home awards this spring, I worked alongside our editorial staff and our advisor to select articles from numerous categories.
Despite facing a few setbacks at the beginning of the year, we finally reached a good flow with meetings, assigning stories, publishing and the connection with the staff! At the same time, I began writing a proposal to upgrade the platform that we use for our publication to SNO, a step up from WordPress. From here, the editorial staff crossed our fingers and hoped for the best as we went through the rest of the semester.
With lots to look forward to in the second semester, The Wartburg Trumpet staff left for break hopeful for a successful semester when we returned. On my Christmas list this year? An approved proposal and the promise of bringing home an ICMA award.
Just as I hoped, four days after Santa came, I received a beautiful email (with a metaphorical bow on top of it) letting me know that my proposal for SNO was approved! This is a step toward a more engaging organization for not only the staff, but readers as well.
On a roll with positive vibes, when we returned to campus last week, we received the news that multiple writers would be bringing home awards from the ICMA conference next month.
As we begin this second semester, I am so thankful for the opportunities that I have been given to grow as a leader and a writer, the people who have worked beside me throughout this time and the bright future that The Wartburg Trumpet has going forward.
I hope that you continue to support us while we keep growing as a publication. Your support means everything to each writer as an individual and the program as a whole.