Parkland students certainly know how disruptive Covid-19 was to their lives. It’s still pretty fresh in your memories, right?
It often kept you from getting together with friends. Prevented trips to the movies. Having meals in restaurants (out-the-door service only). Mask-wearing when you did venture into public spaces. And, of course, the forced isolation of online learning. Your dining rooms or bedrooms became your classroom. No classmates allowed.
You undoubtedly have other examples of how the virus altered your everyday life.
Well, Covid-19 also disrupted the Parkland Prospectus. It derailed the momentum this student newspaper had prior to the emergence of the virus.
You might not know this, but the Prospectus has a proud history. It has the awards to prove it, too.
Since Covid loosened its grip, however, your campus newspaper has been confronted with some challenges. Among them is once again attracting a sufficient number of student reporters to help us tell all the stories we would like to write about the people, places, programs, events, and other news of this campus.
Perhaps you’ve thought about what a career in journalism would be like. The Prospectus offers the opportunity to be a reporter. To be a print journalist. The range of topics is wide. One or more might appeal to you: News; Arts & Entertainment; Features; Sports and more.
I know what some of you are thinking: I hate writing. We’ve heard that before. I recall sitting in college classes when the professor told us that the mid-term exam or finals would be an essay. Or a researched paper. The groans often were audible. Why can’t we just get a multiple-choice exam? A true-or-false test?
But here’s something to consider: Some of you, maybe many of you, will enter professions in which you will be expected to communicate through the written word. Maybe it will be a report on a project you’ve been assigned to do. Or perhaps you’ll need to make a written proposal. Or explain why you – or your company – should be chosen to receive a financial grant.
With each story assignment you receive from the Prospectus, you receive a chance to practice your writing skills. To learn more about how to produce writing that is clear, accurate and (here’s the real challenge) interesting enough to hold the reader’s
attention to that last sentence. Good writing takes practice and persistence. But when you make breakthroughs, it can be such a great feeling.
One last note: Parkland is a commuter campus. Students typically drive here, attend their classes and leave. I also attained my college degree at a commuter campus. As a sophomore, I walked into the student newspaper’s office and asked if I could join the staff. It was the best decision of my college career. The training and knowledge I received convinced me that print journalism was my future, my calling.
But it was far more than that. The experience of belonging to this group of like-minded students made my time in college so much richer. So much more fulfilling. We didn’t just put out a paper together. We socialized. Grabbed a bite to eat on campus – or off — together. Attended the same parties. Became really good friends with some.
Some of us managed to stay in touch after scattering following graduation. The advent of social media allowed even more of us to connect. Decades later, one of us had the brilliant idea to schedule a reunion. This summer, the third such event will be held.
Your college experience should be more than simply showing up for classes and then heading home. More than rinsing and repeating each school day. To each semester. At its best, the Prospectus – or any student newspaper – offers that opportunity. Offers great memories. Hopefully, lifetime friends.
So, consider joining us. As a further incentive, a limited number of partial scholarships remain available for members of the newspaper.
If you are interested, we encourage you to contact Student Life coordinator-technical Sidney Megeff (Smegeff@parkland.edu) or Prospectus advisor Jeff Huth (Jhuth@parkland.edu).
