We the Students…
The first thing I would like to do is welcome all of the students, new, old and in between, back to another year at Illinois Central College. From the freshman just graduating high school to our sophomores applying for transfer and our veterans of ICC who just love it too much to leave, I’m sure everyone has something to look forward to this year.
For those of you that don’t know me, this is my first semester as Editor-In-Chief of the Harbinger. I’m a sophomore myself and am very excited to be a part of this wonderful paper.
With that, I would like to do a little “promotion” for the Harbinger. I’m not trying to advertise per say, I just want everyone to know who we are exactly and what we can do for all of the students of ICC.
Some of you might not know this, but we are completely student run. Sure we have our advisors there to keep us in check, but the decisions and articles we make are ours. The one thing that I want to stress in this article is that we are a STUDENT newspaper. Student, as in all of you guys out there sleeping in class, cramming for tests, hunting for parking spots and I’m sure working a job on the side.
The thing we have been very much lacking in the recent years is input and contributions from you, the students. I also want to mention this is not because we have been lacking content, it’s because what you all have to say is relevant, important and informative to the student population as a whole.
The one thing that I would like to try to do this year, as my contribution to this paper’s legacy, is see the student contribution rate increase significantly. I know for a fact that there are so many students out there that are unique, talented and, in my opinion, aren’t getting credit where it is due.
So, are there any of you out there that have just gotten frustrated in class and drew something humorous about a professor, friend or parent? Send it to us! We would love to put it in the paper. (Uncaptioned of course.)
I’m sure there are plenty of aspiring poets, artists and others out there who have some work they would like others to see. Why not submit it to our Arts and Entertainment Editor, Zach Langloss? I’m sure he would be happy to see some amazing pieces from students who wouldn’t normally get that recognition.
Are there any photographers out there? Why don’t you start building up your portfolio by snapping a few pictures and sending them to our Photo Editor, Alissa Hastings?
What about all the social media addicts? I know you guys are out there. Have you followed us on Twitter or liked our Facebook page?
I’m sure that there are plenty of sports junkies roaming around these halls. Why don’t you come watch a game with our editor Jason Ellis and see what it is like to report on site?
Love hunting down a good story? Well, Reid Harman would love a partner in crime to dig up the best stories he can find on this campus. Submit an article to us or even just a story idea. Maybe you heard someone whispering in the halls? Tell us and we will investigate!
The Harbinger is one of the voices for the students of ICC, so take advantage of the opportunity you have to make a difference to the paper and ICC as a whole. Maybe you’re an introvert and don’t really want everyone to know what you’re submitting. You can remain anonymous and still contribute to the Harbinger.
All of us here at the Harbinger have worked hard to get where we are and to add to the legacy of the Harbinger that began back on Nov. 1, 1967. We had to submit work and earn our place on this paper, and I know that I can speak for all of us in saying we are honored to be here. We are following in the footsteps of some incredible writers and it is an incredible feeling.
Here at the Harbinger, we want the students to have a voice. So just remember that the possibilities of what you can contribute to us are pretty much endless. We are in our office 315B (not the English Department, no you can’t drop a class here, your teachers mailboxes are next door in 314C) all year, when you’re in class, late nights when the only other people on campus are the security trying to kick us out, weekends, holiday and even sometimes snow days just because we all believe that this paper is capable of great things. We want to be this student population’s voice, but ultimately it’s up to you.