The Jambar
I’ve been through a lot in my time at The Jambar, and while my tenure here has been shorter than many others’, I’ve found this experience so rewarding.
I officially joined “The Jamily” in fall 2023 as an assistant copy editor, which, by the way, is a role you only take if you’re okay with people hating you. Luckily for The Jambar, I actually prefer it.
I learned so much in that first year, mostly from my partner-in-crime Elizabeth “Betty” Coss, the amazing former Editor-in-Chief Shianna Gibbons and our former faculty advisor, Michele Gatts.
With their guidance, I gained experience in Associated Press Style — the bane of every journalist’s existence — in reporting and perhaps most importantly, I gained experience in teamwork.
While I had worked in team environments before The Jambar, I had never worked at a place that was entirely made of young students who were so passionate. You don’t realize how much it takes to be passionate about something until you’re actively in the trenches, fighting for your life, loving nearly every minute of it.
Sure, no job is all rainbows and sunshine, and we at The Jambar probably get in as many fights as we do hijinks. Regardless, the joy always outshined the anger, and the art was always worth the time it took to complete.
As head copy editor and arts and entertainment editor, I learned a lot about leadership. Suddenly, I had people looking to me for help. Not only that, but I was also a resource for my fellow editors. Let me tell you, the imposter syndrome was real.
When you’re thrust into a leadership role like that — I applied for it — you quickly realize how to crapshoot. In all seriousness though, I also learned the importance of transparency, decisiveness and patience.
No one understands the importance of these traits more than my leadership, Editor-in-Chief John Ostapowicz, Executive Producer and Managing Editor Raeghan Hilton, Faculty Advisor Adam Earnheardt and Business Manager Mary Dota.
I would like to give my heartfelt thanks for all the time and energy each of these individuals has devoted to both me and The Jambar.
To my successors, Assistant Copy Editor Katelyn Obermiyer and Volunteer Copy Editor Maria Schwartz, I wish the best of luck. Both have been so fun to work with, and I have full faith our friendship will last the test of time.
No goodbye letter would be complete without mentioning the peanut gallery, which nowadays has withered down to Sports Editor Dylan Lux and me, annoying a very tired Head Designer Madison Fessler.
Matthew Sotlar, news editor and phenomenal columnist, what can I say that you don’t already know? You’re Matt Sotlar.
I’m not sure if I’m making any kind of point here, so I’ll just leave you with a deathbed quote from Ludwig van Beethoven.
“Applaud, my friends, the comedy is over.”
– Hannah Werle
