OUTGOING CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF-REFLECT ON YEAR

Writer: Brad Le

The respect of journalism has undoubtedly plummeted, to perhaps an all-time-low. While it was never a career that was revered, being a journalist used to mean being a messenger to the people and not someone who speaks on behalf of them.

Regardless, I hope that everyone considers taking a class in journalism, or at least being part of a journalism group. I once heard a joke about news journalists: “The best way to tell if someone is a good news journalist is to punch them in the face and you’ll see a robot underneath.” This doesn’t mean that being a journalist is to be without emotion, but that being a journalist is about meeting everything with enthusiasm regardless of how deplorable it might be.

I’ve reported on things such as sports, which I have no personal interest in, and I’ve met people of unpopular persuasions, such as communists, anarchists and fascists. While going to a Timbers game is not comparable to listening about the merits of dismantling political hierarchies, I have come to believe that journalism should not shy away nor judge topics or sources, no matter how enjoyable or repugnant they can be. Learning that lesson was my biggest accomplishment to joining The Advocate as a student.

In addition to being the Co-Editor-In-Chief for the 2020-21 Advocate, I also held the position of News Editor, a position of which I am fiercely proud. I think that many journalists consider a career because of the glorious chase for fame and headlines in covering the federal government.

While there is nothing wrong with chasing headlines – goodness knows, I’ve done that, too – I’ve yet to meet any aspiring journalist who dreams of reporting on their local news.

Granted, as one of my closest friends on The Advocate has told me, “The true, investigative journalism – digging for the truth – has always been seen as a calling, a very morally grounded job.” And, in specializing in local news, I have learned more about my community than I ever will chasing glory, and I have found more truth among my neighbors than in distant people in Congress or the White House.

I only hope more people – non-journalists, too – will realize that understanding your own community is a precedent to understanding national politics.

Aside from my personal views on what it means to be a journalist, I couldn’t have appreciated my time with The Advocate more.

I started off as a staff writer and as I rose into becoming the Co-Editor-In-Chief, my perspective on leadership has changed dramatically. I have come to learn that I not only represent my contemporary team but also The Advocate as a historical group and have sought to learn as much as I can about our history.

While I was never ever able to realize my goal to find, or to contact, a founding member of The Advocate from the 1960s, I hope that we contributors will come to treasure our history together and recognize what that means for our new writers, now that I’m joining the list of former Editors-In-Chief.

Frankly, I am really lucky to have discovered The Advocate and wish that I can be considered a permanent member of The Advocate, for our mission, “For The Students By The Students,” is never-ending.

Writer: Daniella Young

The past two years at MHCC have been amazing and interesting, and I can’t believe it’s gone so fast!

The Advocate has played a huge role in my time at Mt. Hood, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group/activity to be involved with. Journalism has always had a special place in my heart; meeting new people and interacting with others across campus has also been an impactful experience. From writing about musicals to doing features and profiles, to covering sports on campus, it’s definitely been a memorable experience. Starting as a staff writer to becoming the news editor and covering more news events to then serving as one of the leaders of the group, I feel like I grew and gained many skills along the way.

I’ll carry the life skills learned while being on The Advocate for the rest of my life, as well as relationships I’ve built on the team. Having been online and remote this past year and a half has also been an interesting experience, and I think we as students will remember this period for a long time.

I’ve really enjoyed going to Mt. Hood. I think it’s a special school, and it became a second home. I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. I remember when I was in elementary school I attended summer camp at Mt. Hood, and I thought about how college seemed so far away, yet being a Saint and feeling more independent made me feel as though I had grown up and was on my own.

I feel like I’ve taken a variety of courses and learned many things in my time here at MHCC. I was lucky enough to have taken an Intro to Education course last spring, and I think it gave me a good feel for what’s to come, as my goal is to major In Elementary Education. I plan to attend EOU (Eastern Oregon University) on the Mt. Hood campus in the fall for its education program, if all goes well, and I’m really excited to start working with students in the classroom.

The memories made in these past two years will stay with me for years to come, and I’m forever grateful to the team and to our advisers, Dan and Howard, for the opportunity to be in a leadership role such as this one.