A large portion of our State Press editorial board has been a part of this publication for the better part of the year. As we're winding down to the end of the semester, we have a number of big stories set to publish and, in this field, we find it important to be transparent with our audience.
Because we think our readership has a right to know who's been telling ASU's stories, we're continuing our Q&A series with our editorial board with one of our digital editors, Andi Blodgett.
Where and how did you grow up?
I grew up in Tempe. Super exciting. I just grew up around here with my family and my dad was working at The Arizona Republic and my mom was home all the time because she owns her own business. And so I just grew up going to the neighborhood schools, and I played a lot of sports growing up. That was a major thing in my childhood, and I was just living the dream.
Why did you decide to join The State Press?
It's something that I was interested in because when I made the move to ASU I thought it could be cool to just try it out because journalism is so big with my family. My dad's a journalist and my mom and my dad met at The State Press, and my sister worked at The State Press and I was like, “Well everyone says State Press is great, so I'll apply and see where it goes.” I thought it would be good anyways because I enjoyed editing because I edited my friends’ papers. So I thought, “Wow, I think I could be good at it.”
What is it like working at The State Press after most of your family has worked here?
Actually, before I knew that I was going to go to ASU, I was kind of sad. I thought I’d be the only one that didn't work at State Press because I was going to a completely different school. And then when I moved here I thought, “Well this is kind of a cool opportunity.” And since I've been here, I feel like all of us, my parents, my sister and me, have had different experiences, but they've all been positive and it's a good place to like enjoy what you're doing and enjoy learning about journalism but also make friends and have a good time.
If you were an 80s band, which would you be?
Not that they were just eighties, but Fleetwood Mac was still big back then, too. I love Fleetwood Mac. That's a huge thing for my family. I would choose them. I'm just down for their vibe.
Reach the reporter at japere38@asu.edu or follow @jsphprzz on Twitter.
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