top during fall of 2025. (Photo courtesy of Damenica Ellis)
I applied and wasn’t selected to write for the paper my sophomore year. I applied again the following year and wrote for the Campus section.
One of two Hilltop writers in the press section at the Harris-Walz Campaign Election Night surrounded by risers of national and international news outlets.
Covering exhibits and events, writing about student concerns and speaking with administrators — these are a few of the many spaces I’ve occupied as a Hilltop writer and, later, editor. These are the spaces the undecided freshmen and the ambitious sophomore I once was only dreamed of.
The stories I brought to readers and my editor Natalie Betts encouraged me. The next year I applied to be a section editor, on the fence at first about a higher position. I didn’t get it.
I was offered a position I wasn’t looking at but turned out to be the best for me. Chief Copy editor.
Being one of the last eyes to edit and approve a story before publishing was a daunting task but it strengthened my dedication for writing and editing stories with care and accuracy. It also positioned me to read every single story published, seeing how much the paper shines light on Black people, students, educators and professionals.
The copy desk is a support system; we don’t write articles ourselves, and I loved that. I was able to see writers and the section editors grow.
Though almost every Sunday of last semester required me to stay up way past the time I needed to go to sleep for class, I appreciate being able to grow in editing to where I could teach others on the team and know a lot of AP style from memory.
This experience helped prepare me for the workforce.
I’m so proud of our small but mighty copy team: D’Nyah Jefferson–Philmore and Daryl R. Thomas Jr. who stayed up late with me and had different areas of expertise that worked perfectly combined.
Though I was sad to leave a semester early, I knew the paper was in great hands with a great EIC, Managing editor and great people. I hope the paper does for those who come after what it did for me.