Final letter from the Editor-in-Chief

By Sophia Sullivan, Editor-in-Chief

When I came to Saint Leo University as a freshman, I knew I loved to read, but I had no idea I’d end up writing stories of my own.

I don’t remember what possessed me to sign up for The Lions’ Pride Media Group (it probably had something to do with my “Gilmore Girls” obsession), but I knew I was decent at writing, so I emailed Dr. Kasper and applied. I’d never written journalistically before, and wasn’t much of a photographer, but from my first article, I was hooked.

When I got to campus that August, I already held a page editor position. I felt underqualified and was probably the quietest staff member, but I kept going to meetings and learning journalistic writing.

After that first year, I began making friends on staff and started coming out of my shell. My second year on staff was spent as Arts & Culture Editor, and I learned to copyedit, which expanded my skillset and grew my confidence even more.

When Dr. Kasper asked me to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief in my junior and senior years, I truly wasn’t sure I could do it. Leading weekly staff meetings, making executive decisions on articles, and motivating a team of writers sounded like a recipe for disaster for me, but it turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me on my college journey.

Somewhere between my first year as a quiet editor and becoming Editor-in-Chief, I found my voice. It may never be the loudest in the room, but being a part of The Lions’ Pride grew my confidence exponentially as a student and writer. It didn’t just teach me how to lead a team of my peers, but it taught me how important student journalism is for a university and the onus that comes with telling our stories.

I couldn’t have done it without the guidance of Dr. Kasper and the amazing staff who come in every week ready to work. I am also so grateful for the support from our community, who continually donate, read, and engage with us.

I’m so proud of where our organization is now and where it’s headed after I leave. This has been, without a doubt, the best experience I’ve had during my time at Saint Leo. It’s proven to me time and time again that I can do hard things, and those things usually end up being for the better. This organization brought me friends, memories, and, in a funny, roundabout way, is even the reason I met my fiancé.

If you’re reading this and wondering if The Lions’ Pride Media Group could be the right fit for you on your college journey, I sincerely encourage you to take a step out of your comfort zone and give it a try. You never know what could come from it.