2008 Woodie Awards
The good, the bad, the Reporter
Rachel Heiderscheidt reflects on her time as news editor
by Rachel Heiderscheidt
Issue date: 5/1/08
Section: Voices
For me, this school year has easily been the busiest of my entire life. It's also been the most rewarding, demanding and fun. I won't pretend to believe every MSU student reads the Reporter. I admit that not even the majority does. It's for the minority who choose to be informed - and my own love of journalism - that I have taken on the job of news editor this year.
I know many think the Reporter is a joke. After all, it's only a twice-weekly paper usually 20 to 24 pages in length. I've heard the snarky, uninformed opinions of Joe Student more than I care to recount. I've also listened and taken to heart the constructive criticisms and complements alike from students who take the Reporter for what it is: a newspaper.
Whether you think this publication is a legitimate source of news is your own opinion, one you are entitled to. In any case, it has been an honor to spend this year as news editor. Don't mistake this as fishing for compliments or thanks; seeing fellow students read the Reporter is more than enough. Rather, I want to thank those of you who do take the time to not only read this paper, but offer feedback through letters to the editor, phone calls or e-mails. Whether criticism or complement, they are heard and paid attention to.
I would also be foolish not to thank those who have worked here this year and helped me out immensely, especially editor-in-chief Bronson Pettitt, who seemed to have an endless list of story ideas and time for mock-press conferences with potential writers. He understood that this job doesn't pay the bills, and when I wasn't in the office, I was at my other job. Thanks for all the help, and know every time I sip from a Corona or see a sombrero, I'll think of my former boss who has an insatiable appetite for all things south of the border, as well as "on-a-shoestring" articles.
Also, to my fellow editors: Derek Wehrwein, Variety editor and next year's editor-in-chief, and Tyler Buckintine, sports editor and next year's managing editor. It's been a ton of fun spending Monday and Wednesday nights with you attempting to reenact moments from "The Office" and training Berhow. I look forward to more of the same next year, and laughing as I leave at 3 p.m. instead of 3 a.m.
To next years' editors: Nia Jonesz in News, Ali Ramsey in Variety, and Josh Berhow in Sports. This paper is in good hands. I'll revert to a lowly (not really) staff writer and look forward to being the most important editor of all: food editor.
And last, but not least, thank you to my wonderful staff. Although the title and pay might not reflect it, you are the backbone of this paper, and its most important element. You're also the hardest to come by. Dealing with flaky, lazy and just downright bad writers is the biggest headache of this job.
Many people come through the door for the wrong reason and don't last. The benefit of this is that when writers do last and they are in it for the right reasons, the result is very rewarding. To those of you who have lasted all year, I want to especially thank you. The hard work you've put into your stories is greatly appreciated, and seeing how much you've improved has been worth finding the needle in the haystack.
And now for the readers' enjoyment: There were several headlines that only got as far as my own Mac screen. Bronson is judge, jury and executioner of all content, so some were later changed. There are no hard feelings, but I would like to share them with you:
• In the March 13 issue, we ran a story about penis drawings on a poster promoting diversity. The poster was taken down and a report was filed. We ran the headline 'Sketches prompt racial questions.' The intended headline was 'Poster gets the shaft.'
• In the April 17 issue, we ran a story about the proposed parking ramps. Several students were quoted in the story supporting the building of a ramp. The headline that ran was, 'Ramp realities.' The original headline was, 'I love ramp.'
• Tuesday's issue we compromised: 'Polarizing perspectives' ran on the front page for the teaser to the story on the porn debate between Ron Jeremy and Craig Gross. On page two, where the story began, we ran 'Master debaters' - it would've run front page as well.
Rachel Heiderscheidt is the Reporter news editor
I know many think the Reporter is a joke. After all, it's only a twice-weekly paper usually 20 to 24 pages in length. I've heard the snarky, uninformed opinions of Joe Student more than I care to recount. I've also listened and taken to heart the constructive criticisms and complements alike from students who take the Reporter for what it is: a newspaper.
Whether you think this publication is a legitimate source of news is your own opinion, one you are entitled to. In any case, it has been an honor to spend this year as news editor. Don't mistake this as fishing for compliments or thanks; seeing fellow students read the Reporter is more than enough. Rather, I want to thank those of you who do take the time to not only read this paper, but offer feedback through letters to the editor, phone calls or e-mails. Whether criticism or complement, they are heard and paid attention to.
I would also be foolish not to thank those who have worked here this year and helped me out immensely, especially editor-in-chief Bronson Pettitt, who seemed to have an endless list of story ideas and time for mock-press conferences with potential writers. He understood that this job doesn't pay the bills, and when I wasn't in the office, I was at my other job. Thanks for all the help, and know every time I sip from a Corona or see a sombrero, I'll think of my former boss who has an insatiable appetite for all things south of the border, as well as "on-a-shoestring" articles.
Also, to my fellow editors: Derek Wehrwein, Variety editor and next year's editor-in-chief, and Tyler Buckintine, sports editor and next year's managing editor. It's been a ton of fun spending Monday and Wednesday nights with you attempting to reenact moments from "The Office" and training Berhow. I look forward to more of the same next year, and laughing as I leave at 3 p.m. instead of 3 a.m.
To next years' editors: Nia Jonesz in News, Ali Ramsey in Variety, and Josh Berhow in Sports. This paper is in good hands. I'll revert to a lowly (not really) staff writer and look forward to being the most important editor of all: food editor.
And last, but not least, thank you to my wonderful staff. Although the title and pay might not reflect it, you are the backbone of this paper, and its most important element. You're also the hardest to come by. Dealing with flaky, lazy and just downright bad writers is the biggest headache of this job.
Many people come through the door for the wrong reason and don't last. The benefit of this is that when writers do last and they are in it for the right reasons, the result is very rewarding. To those of you who have lasted all year, I want to especially thank you. The hard work you've put into your stories is greatly appreciated, and seeing how much you've improved has been worth finding the needle in the haystack.
And now for the readers' enjoyment: There were several headlines that only got as far as my own Mac screen. Bronson is judge, jury and executioner of all content, so some were later changed. There are no hard feelings, but I would like to share them with you:
• In the March 13 issue, we ran a story about penis drawings on a poster promoting diversity. The poster was taken down and a report was filed. We ran the headline 'Sketches prompt racial questions.' The intended headline was 'Poster gets the shaft.'
• In the April 17 issue, we ran a story about the proposed parking ramps. Several students were quoted in the story supporting the building of a ramp. The headline that ran was, 'Ramp realities.' The original headline was, 'I love ramp.'
• Tuesday's issue we compromised: 'Polarizing perspectives' ran on the front page for the teaser to the story on the porn debate between Ron Jeremy and Craig Gross. On page two, where the story began, we ran 'Master debaters' - it would've run front page as well.
Rachel Heiderscheidt is the Reporter news editor
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