Opportunities are never something that should be taken granted of: they only come around once in a blue-moon and when they do- it is your choice to either kick the door down or keep walking past it. For the Red and Black, we had this choice when told we were to visit Columbia University, in the heart of New York City, for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association‘s Annual Fall Conference. While we physically were there, the question was if we mentally were willing to get involved in the seminars and activities that were provided in a variety of sectors. Luckily, the dedication and willingness of your newspaper staff showed to be the prevailing force, to drive us to ascertain as much knowledge as we could from the experts, to make your Red and Black as extensive as it can be.

As far as the morning went, it was no rest for the weary as we all had to be up and ready to go by 6:10 A.M on our long journey to the Big Apple. From the get-go, the group was all business: receiving candid information and note cards on where we were to go and what was expected of us, everyone was attentive and ready for the long day ahead. Upon our arrival, everyone had a job to complete and the group became like a well-oiled machine; most importantly, however, the media staff that you are all familiar with went straight onto the campus in preparation to film the first segment of the day. While we could have easily spent our time lost in the grandeur that is the Ivy League campus, we knew the task at hand and never faltered. By the time we ended the film session, all of us quickly had to situate ourselves around the overwhelmingly huge and intimidating buildings to swiftly report to all of our respective seminars to being the most important process- helping the Red and Black.

Gallery • 11 Photos

Photo by Michele Sullivan

Dream Team

From what I personally attended, I cannot possibly find the words to praise the level of professionalism and quality the speakers brought for our utilization as student writers and broadcasters. Just as Columbia itself, you must only expect the best-of-the-best to be present on site and the presenters were no different: former professors, journalists, current day writers, media hands, and so on all brought their own expertise and experiences with us to soak up for our own papers. Not content with just spitting out facts, the orators went as in-depth as they could with every aspect they brought up, all with the intended purpose for us to head on home and use every last minute detail to spruce up our works. In addition, the beauty of this conference was fusing the world of the yesteryear with the now: in essence, the reporters spoke on how skills of the past are still viable in today’s medium, just with some extra gravitas as not to use an antiquated system. For example, we all know how crucial a role social media plays in the world today, that is no different for journalism. With the induction of digital media platforms and people able to say whatever they want it is the job of the reporter to filter out fact with opinion and get to the source- just like in the past- to report to the people what is non-refutable. Along with these skills, I extend massive respect and appreciation to the other staff members who joined in on the journey, as the notes and knowledge they took from these conferences will no doubt help us as this fledgling paper continues to grow more rapidly than anyone expected.

At the end of the day, the privilege and invitation we were extended was humbling to us all. Moreover, the chance to pick the brains of some of the most renowned individuals in the world of digital and print media to take back for our own devices is invaluable to us as a staff. For you avid readers out there, we promise to continue our dedication and commitment to making this paper the best we can, and the number one student paper in all of the United States- not just New York. While we may be the ones writing it, you are the most important factor in our continued success; without you, we would not have these great opportunities. With that in mind, thank you and keep on showing that Pat-Med pride.