Participating on a vibrant staff like the Ledger has been an opportunity and blessing. From the leadership of Stephen, the guidance of Corbin and the joy of my staff’s never ending jokes, I am proud to say I have been the managing editor of a truly great publication.
This past year, I have learned so much about myself and the stories on this campus. They are everywhere, and to tell them has been an honor. I am thankful for the readers who take an interest in the hard work we produce each and every two weeks.
Although initially I was skeptical about whether or not I was going to enjoy my time here at this college, I know the privilege of working with an outstanding group of people has made all the difference.
I am excited to move forward in my college pursuits, as I transfer to Liberty University in the fall. However, I will always look back at my time here with sincere appreciation.
To readers, Corbin, Stephen and the rest of my crazy wonderful staff, thank you for making the difference.
– Jessica Skaggs (managing editor)
My advice to future staffers — and the world in general — is to be easy-going. Don’t worry about what others say about you and don’t get caught up in petty conflicts. So many people waste so much time because of this. If you just act like a duck and let things roll off your back, life will be so much easier.
Don’t react with your gut instinct. Most problems can be avoided by taking a second to think over your response and acting like a human being.
And, delivery is 90 percent of the message itself. You can disagree with someone, but it will ultimately be easier to communicate if you are civil about it.
Remember — we are all living, breathing, human beings. We should at least, at the bare minimum, treat each other with the respect that we think we ourselves deserve.
– Stephen Cook (editor-in-chief)
Hard to believe we’ve already arrived at the end of the school year, isn’t it? Yet here we are. After months of scrambling to meet due dates and test taking, this caboose has reach the end of the line. At least for me. It’s been almost three years since I came to the college, just out of High School with nary an understanding of much of anything. I like to think I gained a deeper understanding of myself and the world around me during my short stay here, and it wouldn’t have been possible without all the amazing people I’ve met. These people know who they are, even if they’ve moved on from this place what feels like a lifetime ago. I’ve never really been one for saying goodbyes, but nothing good can last forever as the clichéd saying goes. I accept that my time has come, but not before I’ve said my piece. To all the new students fresh out of the boat, my advice to you is simple; learn to be proficient at balancing work, school and a social life. To all the new Ledger staffers I will not likely meet, make it a priority to know your fellow staffers. The strength of the bonds you share with each other will be evident in the quality of your work. Au revoir.
– David Hurtado (features editor)
This semester has greeted me with a plethora of surprises. Becoming a part of The Campus Ledger has not only been an enlightening experience for me, but an exciting one at that! I have experienced many riveting things this semester as I encountered such great and talented individuals. In a way, the Student News Center has become a new home for me. Not only because I spend the majority of my day here, but I waste away time with my friends and coworkers. As I had mentioned, the SNC is not only a second abode, but has become a gateway to other promising possibilities. I began this semester on a pretty low note, but the tumultuous past has been put on the backburner. The students I’ve met are some of the best people anyone could have in their life, and I’m grateful to be a part of theirs. A lot of significant people will be leaving to pursue their educations elsewhere, and I will genuinely miss them all. Stephen, Jessica and David: all of you have bright futures on the horizon. There’s no doubt about that, and I will certainly miss chillin’ with you guys in the newsroom. I look forward to working under Mike’s supervision. He’s going to make a fine leader.
– Valerie Velikaya (news editor)
My advice:
Fail.
Fail a lot.
Fail spectacularly.
Failingly fail as no one has ever failed before.
If you haven’t failed yet, you’re not trying,
And have no idea what you can do.
So go get dragged up and down the block a few times,
Feel like a loser,
Get figuratively or literally punched in the face,
Shake it off,
Learn from it,
And move on.
– Christina Lieffring (staff reporter)