Since the 2024-2025 school year at Butler is coming to an end, this will be my final issue of The Lantern, although I will continue working for the newspaper this summer. These past two years have been filled with many laughs, funny stories and hard work. This year as the editor-in-chief has been one to remember. I have learned so much about Butler CC and the people around me. I was able to learn and grow in this role and the hard work was worth it and paid off.
I realized how memorable both years the staff was. I want to thank all my journalism instructors such as Keith West, the Mass Communications chair; Amy Hornbaker, Mass Communications professor and Amy Chastain, The Lantern adviser, for helping me be who I am now with my passion in journalism. Thank you, Amy Chastain, for being the best professor, boss, adviser and mentor. I am excited to pass the torch to incoming staff. I hope my leadership skills pass to the next and inspire others with my writing who join the newspaper.
What guided me towards my current major is still my passion and love for writing. Falling into journalism and writing can help tell so many stories. Journalists play a major role in society that discusses the pursuit of the truth. Knowing the truth and facts gives relevant news and information to the people. For example, some student publications have been shut down because they wrote about something that told the truth about that topic. Student journalists should continue to have the right to be able to share our truths.
Journalists are also responsible for writing stories that share about real events using a fair perspective that is unbiased. Journalists get to speak out and share for the greater good--to provide citizens with the information they need to better their lives, their societies and governments. It’s important to bring change to the world and seeking to know the truth in all situations possible. I was drawn to journalism because it allows me to educate, inform and inspire others. I want to continue to inform the public and make decisions based on fact rather than misinformation.
After Butler CC, I plan to continue my education and journalism career at Wichita State University and join The Sunflower staff. My last year I might stay there or even attend The University of Kansas as the top journalism school. I am hoping my writing inspires many: The real reason I am continuing as a student journalist is because everyone has a story to be told.
Thank you, and go Grizzlies!