When I first walked into the Strozier study room in December 2018, I did not know what to think. It was like “The Breakfast Club” in that room, the few ragtag writers of the arts and culture section. Little did I know at that point in my life, at only 19 that walking into that small, pencil-graffitied room would be the beginning of the rest of my life.
I made my way up the food chain of the paper quickly even though I had zero experience in arts and culture (except my questionable years in high school theatre) or writing (except my years of writing papers in high school) during my time in the AICE program. By the end of my freshman year and several published articles later, I’m promoted to the arts and culture deputy editor alongside editor Nellie Zucker, who would soon become my inspiration with her witty remarks and cool girl aura. Following Nellie’s graduation in December 2019, I became the youngest editor on staff — the only sophomore on the editorial team. Despite my youth and only a year of experience in the realm of print media, I was ready to shake things up.
Upon beginning my new position, I contacted every student organization, local museum/business/etc. as well as every major music company, movie studio and more. I emailed everyone I could think of to introduce myself and make a connection with in order to further writing and interviewing opportunities for the arts and culture section. My aggressive networking, along with the help of a USA Today certified email address (thanks Gannett), got me an address book full of contacts for new, big and exciting stories.
From that moment, not only was the arts and culture section covering local bands at house parties or the latest screening at the Askew Student Life Center, but was interviewing major talent for blockbuster films, albums and more.
The first ‘big’ opportunity for the arts and culture section was in August 2020. It was an advanced screening and interview roundtable for “TENET” from Warner Brothers Pictures. I was contacted by the Warner Brothers publicity team, specifically Gina Correa and Sarah Reyes who would both later become my bosses when I would later intern at Warner Brothers, to see an advanced screening of the movie and interview John David Washington. I went to AMC Tallahassee 20 (yes, the theater ten minutes away in an abandoned mall) in my pantsuit, just in case there were any professional people there, on a random weekday afternoon to watch the film.
I was the only one in the theater. It was so mesmerizing to be the only one in a hundred person theater watching a film from a major studio that has not even come out yet. This was when I realized the impact that my writing, drive and passion had. If I could interview Denzel Washington’s son and be personally invited by a major film studio to write a film review at only 20 years old, what else could I do? I found out that the answer to that question is a whole lot. Not only could I make this opportunity a possibility for any of my staff writers, I could make this something that occurs often and put the FSView’s arts and culture section above other collegiate newspapers’.
Time flies by and I nonstop write and pick up a few jobs along the way in public relations at some local firms and even Warner Brothers all while maintaining my nearly perfect GPA while pursuing a double major in media communication studies and international affairs with concentrations in public administration and Spanish and certifications in emergency management and homeland security plus US intelligence policy. I may have gone a little overkill there.
My experiences in the arts and culture section gave me a passion for film and entertainment public relations while my studies gave me a passion for making an impact through public affairs. At this point I realized I may have flown a little too close to the sun as I’m graduating and there are two paths laid out for me, both equally compelling.
To the two roads diverged in a yellow wood I say, instead of having to only choose one path and stay on it, why not pick one for now and merge into the other later? There are so many choices and so many paths but you are never limited to only one.
The path I chose as I graduate this fall is one I’m proud of and surprised by. I will be working at one of the nation’s top PR firms, Sachs Media, as an account coordinator, working with the absolute best at their craft. I interned at Sachs Media on the public affairs and marketing teams this past summer and was overjoyed when they offered me a job full-time post-grad. I’m ready to learn as much as I can from these gifted individuals and excited to be a part of the Rhino family. It is so rewarding to know that I will be making a positive impact on my community and world with Sachs Media doing what I do best — writing.
For those rooting for the other path, don’t worry, I imagine I’ll be back in the entertainment biz someday.
Through my time with the FSView, I learned that I can do anything and everything I’d ever want to and that my words can make an impact. This has been evident in the emails I’ve received praising my writing or my writers’ work and the growth I’ve seen in all who have come in the Strozier study room door for an arts and culture meeting. This is something that makes me beam with pride. All I ever wanted to do was make a positive impact on FSU in some way and in my time, I have done just that.
Beyond anything in my experience as the arts and culture editor, the thing I am most grateful for is every single one of my writers. Each and every one of them have deeply impacted my life in so many different ways, whether it be by laughing at my ridiculous jokes during pitch meetings or lending a hand during a stressful big issue week.
Above all, the arts and culture section gave me a home. I was so lost before I joined the newspaper and had no idea what I wanted to do. By joining I gained a group of people who all loved the same things I loved and loved me. What more could a girl ask for?
It’s so hard for me to go now, as I consider all of my writers my family. But I know I’m leaving the arts and culture section, the FSView and FSU a better place than what it was before I started.
To close out before I get too teary-eyed writing this, I want to leave my staff with some advice from someone who’s been through it. Once you find out what you’re passionate about and good at, never ever let it go. Let your ambition and hard work drive you and you’ll reach your goal. Maybe not when you thought you would or in the method you imagined but you will because there are no limits to what you all can do. If you ever need a friend, cheerleader or editor, I’m only a call away.
