The first time I’d stepped into the Hawkeye newsroom, the energy was high. People chattered excitedly about their summers, freshmen like me sat nervously in a corner, and upperclassmen brainstormed what to write about for the first issue.
February of my freshman year, and I found myself an assistant editor for Features. I combed through line after line, walking that fine balance between editing for the best interest of the article and maintaining the integrity of the writer’s voice. Yet, my relationship with my section writers grew stronger when we had five minutes to create a Connections game, in a hot room cramped with fifty people, as we laughed over questionable category ideas.
In my three years as an editor, I have personally edited twenty-seven articles, and unofficially looked over many more; however, the one thing I enjoyed most was seeing my writers grow. Every few months, our writer’s workshops would show me just how creative my peers were, and talking to them about their interests helped me get to know them not only as beautiful writers, but as beautiful people as well – people I am eternally grateful to have known. I’ve gone from line-editing freshmen writers to seeing them now as editors and even EIC; the pride I feel cannot be summed up neatly, and it will only overflow as I read each new issue in the coming years.
Hawkeye could not have been successful without the advisors’ constant support, and so, a thank you is the least I can say for Ms. Sanabria and Ms. Barbitta, who have guided me and this publication for years. For all the EICs who taught me to keep my doubts at bay, and taught me that my voice is meaningful, thank you.
Similar to me, I know many people have doubted their place in Hawkeye, or whether or not they should be writing in Features. Yet with each issue I read, I become more confident that the craft of writing will be upheld for years to come. I am always in awe of each article I read from those writers who come to me, telling me they have no idea what to write, only to churn out such thought-provoking words that show their care for the world.
Features has focused mainly on human behaviors in the world, and I hope that all of you who have written and will continue to write for this section keep that curiosity thriving.
Signing off,
Ananya Samavedam
