Working for The Rotunda was like a ketchup stain on my white tuxedo – but not in a bad way. I started writing for the paper my second semester freshman year and have gone through so many ups and downs with it, I cannot even explain it. I have held so many roles at the paper such as a sports staff (this is where I began), features staff, opinions editor, assistant features editor, news staff and of course, assistant arts and entertainment editor.
Although it has been over three years here at The Rotunda, it seems like just yesterday I was a nervous freshman sent out to cover two of the biggest stories of the year on my first week at the paper, men’s walk and the newly hired men’s basketball coach Jason Gee.
Now all those years later, the stress to get my articles in, the nerves that came (and still come!) when calling up someone to ask for an interview because I feel like I am bugging them and all the critiques that sometimes ripped my writing apart, have all came full circle. Working for this paper taught me time management, how to work on a deadline and it also taught me that I can be a good writer if I keep working at it.
The Rotunda gave me the confidence to start my own online blog, to go outside of my comfort zone, try new things and believe it or not, it sort of pushed me to join the radio station WMLU and start The NatJo Show. I also want to take this time to thank all of my friends, family and fans of the show, who have always been supportive of my shade-throwing shenanigans. The NatJo Show is truly something I will tell my grandkids about, because like The Rotunda, it was an outlet for creativity and fun that I never had before until I came to Longwood.
Looking back on all the stressful times, all the paper critiques and all the Domino’s pizza I stuffed my face with at our Wednesday meetings, I really appreciate the support I got from my fellow staff. I want to thank them for always keeping me in line when I needed it (a lot) and for always keeping their heads up when the paper received backlash from faculty, staff, alumni and the student body.
Before I leave campus, I want to tell all of the people who do not appreciate The Rotunda and its staff for all their hard work, that they are crazy. The Rotunda is a service, where your fellow students work their butts off in order to keep you informed about what is going on in your community. I firmly believe that without it, this school would be lost.
Anyways, always remember my motto: peace, love and gossip. Also, remember to always stay informed, do what you are passionate about and while you are at it, listen to the newest Beyoncé album, Lemonade.
