In May 2012, I had just completed my tenure as editor in chief at The Clarion and was about to transfer to UW-Eau Claire in hopes of completing my journalism degree. I wrote a column in The Clarion saying my farewell, but I ended up back here after I had to transfer back to the Madison area. Well, it is time to say goodbye again folks, and I intend on making this for good. I accepted an offer from the Banner Journal in Black River Falls as a reporter and page designer.
Being a part of The Clarion these past four years has been more than just an extracurricular or a campus job for me. Working at The Clarion helped me get my footing in the industry I’ve wanted to join since I was six years old. After my first tenure with the paper, I became one of the first interns for the Wisconsin Newspaper Association as I worked full-time for a summer at The Star, Sun Prairie’s community newspaper. The Clarion even gave me sanctuary when I needed to transfer back to Madison College after a quick stop at UW-Eau Claire.
Most recently, The Clarion also helped me get through the past few months, which have been particularly tough for my family and me. It’s still hard to believe it has been eight months since my mom passed away after her long battle with cancer. Sometimes, it almost seems like yesterday when I was eating breakfast one morning, and Clarion advisor Doug Kirchberg called to say I was named editor for the paper. I will always remember that day because I was in a rush to get to campus. I forgot to pick up my car keys. So I went back inside, but when I did, I found my mom standing in our kitchen with tears in her eyes because she was so proud of my accomplishment. That was the first time I showed to my family I could actually do this newspaper thing.
The Clarion has been a major part of my life the last four years, and I cannot pay it back enough. Thanks to everyone I’ve worked with during my time at the paper. Also, thanks to instructors like Larry Hansen, Natasha Kassulke, Steve Noll and Mary Haight. I picked up valuable writing and marketing skills through classes taught by those individuals. I even started to speak and write a little French along the way. Parlez-vous français?
Since January 2010, I have been published in The Clarion and have held roles like staff writer, news editor and editor in chief. I reported on the Capitol protests, the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) trying to attain organization status at the college and the recent Taser policy for Public Safety. I even got to review a Bobaflex concert. Interviewing Bobaflex and Royal Bliss – a relatively unknown band at that time – was an assignment I’ll never forget. Thankfully I didn’t have too many bad assignments while working at the paper.
However, this is goodbye. There are still a few topics on campus I am passionate about, so you may see a letter to the editor or two from me, but this should be the end. It’s time for others to step up at The Clarion and find their way through journalism. Au revoir.