I’ve spent nearly all of my time at UP observing things from the sidelines. I’ve watched soccer games from the press box, stood to the side with a notebook in hand during a protest, attended events and stood, back to the wall, press badge swinging around my neck.
And, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
There’s a certain power in not being included, on being on the outside looking in. While this may seem extremely counterintuitive — especially to those of us unlucky enough to be on the outside of a high school clique — I have found that my lack of involvement has become my involvement, and through The Beacon I have had the gift of learning so much more about this university and the people within it than I ever thought I would.
As I sat in the press box, I watched soccer players tearing up during their senior night, hugging each other on Merlo Field as their season pattered to an end. As I spoke to a protester he began to cry, telling me about how this was so much deeper than just a protest on our campus, but something that we needed to fight for in order for all people to feel accepted. Students stood up, spoke their minds, challenged the administration as I stood taking notes on my transcript.
How lucky am I to have observed all of this and more in my time at The Beacon.
The ability to be an observer is often overlooked, but without it, we wouldn’t have coverage of UP student’s reproductive rights protest, the Portland public school’s teacher strike, the UP women’s basketball team competing in March Madness, the return of KDUP to air, student’s experiences with the fires in Lahaina and many more stories from the Bluff we reported on this school year. To be on the outside, while sometimes difficult, allows us to be the ones bringing these pieces into the light and allowing those within and around to see themselves represented in The Beacon.
But, it takes more than just observing to be a good journalist, or to be a journalist at all.
As I reflect on this past year as Editor-in-Chief, it has not been easy. Ice storms, breaking news in the early mornings, lengthy hours spent in the newsroom or on the phone, just trying to sort everything out — my weeks have been spent poring over this paper I call home, and doing a lot more than casual observing. But, I’ve found it to be just as rewarding, if not more, than if I was directly involved.
So, thank you for allowing me to observe, for allowing my staff to take your stories this year and turn them into articles I am proud to have in this paper. Thank you for standing up for what you believe, for being proud in your voice so much that you’ll agree to speak to the media about it, something that can be easily nerve wracking and vulnerable. And, as we wrap up this school year, I urge you to take in the world around you, to look at your fellow students and aim to understand all it is that they are accomplishing.
As always,
Kate
Kate Cuadrado is the Editor-in-Chief for The Beacon. She can be reached at cuadrado24@up.edu.
Have something to say about this? We’re dedicated to publishing a wide variety of viewpoints, and we’d like to hear from you. Voice your opinion in The Beacon.
