I’m not an early bird, and neither are most 15 year-olds. To wake me up in the morning, it takes at least three rings of my alarm clock and maybe a shout or two from my mother, father and little brother. However, our trip to the Tribune was worth my painful waking hour of 6:30 a.m.
We heard from the Digital Editor of The Mash, Maura Hernandez, who let us know that it was not okay to work for free, “Exposure doesn’t pay the bills!” she said. Editor of Voice of the People, Dodie Hofstetter, also spoke to us about what it was like to be on the Editorial Board of the Tribune. She explained that each member of the board had an equal say as to what goes into the paper, but none make the final decision. To symbolize the equal weight of each board member’s opinion, the table at which they meet is shaped so that there is no “head” of the table. As we sat at the place of countless editorial board meetings, we nodded our heads as if the meaning of a clever pun had just clicked simultaneously for each of us. The Standards Editor, Margaret Holt, gave us monumental social advice. When interacting with others Holt stressed to keep in mind, “Their truth is just as important as your truth.”
In addition to hearing tons of great advice, we met the Chicago team! We all bonded over experiences we’ve had riding the train, falling asleep in class, watching Pretty Little Liars and many other terrible shows that threaten to destroy our intelligence.
All-in-all, we learned enough at The Tribune that day to cushion our brain cells for another six months at least!
-Nia Smith
