I’ve worn a few hats during my time here at The Daily Utah Chronicle.
The first time I joined was in the fall of 2022. After a year of juggling choices for a potential major, I fell back to my love of writing. I declared a major in journalism, and I was hired as a writer on the investigative desk.
I wrote my first story for the Chrony on that desk, on measures the U was taking to protect the Great Salt Lake. It was the first story I’d written since graduating from my high school newspaper, and the reporting and passionate, knowledgeable people I got to talk to for that story made me feel like I was back at home.
Shortly after that, life got in the way, and I left the desk. I’m still grateful for the grace and encouragement my editor gave me in what I had considered a disappointing departure.
The following spring, I hesitantly decided to apply for the arts desk. After my first hand at it, I was doubtful I’d have what it took to write for the paper again. I’m thankful for those that pushed me to try anyway.
I was welcomed onboard warmly and wrote my first arts story on the Urban Flea Market and its vendors. From there, I was able to attend and review shows, cover on and off-campus events, report on Sundance and write about people in a range of the arts. I got to try out several kinds of writing and reporting on that desk, and I value the space to experiment it gave me.
I’m particularly proud of a piece I wrote on U Opera’s “A.L.I.C.E.,” where I was invited to observe rehearsals for two weeks and watch the show come to life. That experience was just another reminder of all the amazing people I get to meet and the things I get to learn doing this work.
But ultimately, something didn’t quite fit right on the desk. As grateful as I was and am for my time there, I could tell I didn’t have the passion I wanted for what I was covering. So when applications opened for student leadership in the spring of 2024, I took a shot and applied for news editor.
I was shocked to actually get the position. Not only was I now moving to a new desk, I was leading it. Within a few weeks, I was meeting the new writers I’d oversee and getting trained in news writing and news editing. All the while, I bounced between feeling excitement and hope to fear and doubt.
Ultimately, I knew I wanted to do right by the people who trusted me enough to take over the desk and the writers who trusted me to lead them.
It didn’t take long for things to pick up from there. My first story on the news desk was about the solidarity encampment for Palestine last year that resulted in 17 arrests. That night, I jogged along the edge of a line of police officers in riot gear as they pushed demonstrators off campus grounds. Laptop in hand, I knelt every few feet to type updates to a team of editors writing live on the story. The Chrony was one of the first organizations to break news of the camp that day.
From there, the news desk covered the closure of DEI resource centers, an election, a legislative session, an ASUU election and so much more. I couldn’t be prouder of the work the desk produced and I’m immensely grateful for the team behind it all.
I’ve been lucky enough to work with a group of incredibly talented and passionate writers on the news desk this year. They’ve constantly challenged me to be a better reporter, problem solver and leader.
I’ve also been so fortunate to work with an amazing group of leaders and advisers this year. They’ve pushed me past my comfort zone, made me reflect on and challenge my journalistic practices and values and encouraged and supported me the whole way through it.
Serving as editor of the news desk has been by far my most rewarding year at the Chrony. I’ve gotten to do so much and learn so much, and even after a year, it still doesn’t feel like enough time. I’ll take the interest I found, the advice I was given and the ups and downs of my editorship with me wherever I end up next.
After all the desks and stories, I’m more confident and passionate about my work than ever. I can’t wait to continue learning, growing and improving my craft, and as I do, I’ll always thank the Chrony for the flexibility it gave me to get there.
