The.
Three letters, one syllable, a generally overlooked and seemingly inconsequential word, that "the," but it was at the center of my first big decision as editor in chief.
In the weeks prior to our first issue of the fall, when we redesigned the newspaper, we made the gigantic leap from the State Press to The State Press.
What may seem a subtle difference to most people of sound mind was the source of ridiculous amounts of debate within the newsroom, pitting editor against editor and inciting screaming matches like you wouldn't believe.
No, it's not (entirely) because we're all crazy down here. It's because this piece of recycled tree pulp with ink that smudges off annoyingly easy is a product of our sweat, tears and toil, and every little detail counts.
In the nine months since the "The" debuted in the masthead of the paper, we've thankfully tackled bigger issues and had a great time doing it.
Now, there are generally two approaches that editors have taken toward The State Press in the past. The first is that the newspaper is a learning lab, a classroom for fledgling journalists where we can make our blundering errors before getting out into the "real world" where they "really matter."
The State Press purists will tend to side with the second school of thought, stressing our independence and that we are a community newspaper that should be held to the same standards as any of our competition in the Valley.
I hope that we have been both. I hope that we have enriched the experiences of the people who have worked here and helped build better journalists, and I hope that we have helped inform, educate and sometimes entertain you, the reader.
This is the last issue of this year's The State Press, and I'd like to give a shout out to the people who got us here:
The staff at the Cronkite school, namely Joe Foote, Susan Keith, Steve Doig and Bruce Itule, for being role models and inspiring us.
Our adviser, Kristin Gilger, for not giving up on our rowdy bunch and going back to the Republic where she doesn't have to explain the excessive nudity and lewd language of The Stale Mess to anyone.
Sara Thorson, next semester's editor in chief. It's a rough ride, but keep your head high and stick to your guns. You'll do great.
Former editor in chief Jodie Lau for setting a precedent of hard work and setting the pace for where we are today.
Most of all to the names printed in the little box below this editorial. These people make this newspaper the best it's ever been. You guys have been amazing.
Thanks for a great year,
Jessica Wanke
Editor in chief
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