For someone who is quite vocal about their aversion to writing, I have written a lot more than I could have ever dreamed. This will be my 19th editorial. N I N E T E E N…
It is a lot, to me. We have writers in The Stute who have written triple what I have accomplished. But it makes me wonder, will I continue this? Will I keep counting?
My term ends in March. My position is more complicated than others; you have to serve on the executive board (e-board) for at least a year before you are eligible for Editor-in-Chief. And keep in mind, there are very few EICs that have done a double term.
Besides my own struggle of how I would like my senior year at Stevens to look, I have had many Stuters worry about running in our annual elections. Why?
When I ran for Layout Editor (two years ago 🤮), I was running against my mentor, who taught me Adobe Indesign and another fellow assistant who had the same experience I did. I considered both of those people to be more qualified! Yes, I was worried about stepping on people’s toes, especially the girl who spent hours teaching me. Guess what? I spoke with them, and they encouraged me to run against them.
My mentor was so excited to see me run and make my own way in The Stute. To my current Stuters, this is the way of our newspaper! Don’t run in fear of stepping on someone’s toes. No position belongs to someone. We lift each other up, and we encourage each other! All in good competition!
It’s opportunities like these that change our college experience. Had my mentor not encouraged me to run against her, I would not have! I would not have been the Layout Editor and fallen more in love with Adobe InDesign. I would not have been able to become Editor-in-Chief and write 19 editorials. Stuters, do not think you are taking an opportunity from someone else, encourage each other, and run for what you want to. And if you are really worried about stepping on each other’s toes, be honest! Have a conversation!
Do not take an opportunity away from yourself because you are trying to “give” it to another person. That is not how elections work, and that is not how we elect the “best” e-board we can.
I am unsure if I will run for Editor-in-Chief again. I love it. Time will tell, and the stress of the elections will force me to make a decision soon.
To my e-board, please run against me if you want to. Ask me anything and everything, and I would be honored to teach you all that I know. And if you are thinking of not running because of someone else, think again — that is not the atmosphere we want to create here. Anyone and everyone is welcome to try for a position. Don’t sell yourself short.
I wonder how long I will have to continue to write these editorials. Will my last one be in March 2026 or 2027?
Goodbye, my 19th editorial. I have no idea what the 20th will be about. Time reveals all. Till next time, Stuters!
