Everyone is curious about something. Every person you’ve ever met has had, or is bound to have, an experience that will turn into a passion that will take them far. As a Writing Center tutor here at Clark, I have met people who are passionate about library sciences, human resources and early elementary education. Each person can track that passion back to a single moment that made them ask, why?

My ‘why’ moment was the movie “Spotlight,” which followed the Boston Globe reporters who broke the story of abuse by clergy members in the Catholic church. “Spotlight” shows how journalism isn’t about “gotcha” questions, but following the stories that help readers stay informed about issues that matter. This movie led me to take Journalism 101 not once, not twice, but three times. Because that wasn’t enough, I went to journalism camp at Boston University and at the University of Indiana, Bloomington. And then I became the Editor-in-Chief of my high school’s newspaper, The Hallmanac. 

All of this was before The Scarlet. As a result, I entered Clark with just three years of experience under my belt, two of them during a pandemic. I really thought I was a journalism genius or something, like Mark Ruffalo in “Spotlight” material. Boy, did these last four years humble me! With that, I’d like to provide you with a few pieces of advice based on some of the many mistakes I’ve made:

1. When recording an interview, make sure you can hear the recording, and that there is not an incredibly loud garbage truck revving in the background. 
2. Read everything, and I mean everything, out loud. And fact-check fifty times. 
3. Dean Kamala Kiem’s name is spelled Kiem, not Keim. To Dean Kiem, I am so, so sorry. 

And my goals for The Scarlet’s future:

1. An interviewing workshop! Meeting new people is part of the game, and it’s quickly become my favorite part of news writing.
2. Improved fact-checking measures and policies that will improve the accuracy of our reporting as we grow. 
3. More outside engagement with collegiate papers in Worcester, to learn and grow together. 

Being a part of The Scarlet has easily been my favorite part of being at Clark. Despite all the stumbling blocks along the way, I like to think I have done some good, reporting on happenings on campus, giving a voice to students, and shedding light on the mess that is Worcester politics. It is not on par with Mark Ruffalo in “Spotlight” by any means, but baby steps!

I will be around for a while longer, completing my Master’s Degree in Public Administration, and maybe submitting an editorial or two to The Scarlet in memory of the good old days. And for all of you who are still undergrads, think about the passion that drives you, that makes you wonder why. Your story is worth telling.