What a week to be in the nation’s capital– the Washington Nationals won the World Series, Congress voted to move forward with impeachment proceedings and the Fall National College Media Convention brought together young journalists from all over the country en mass.

The arts and culture editor Quinten Sargent, our advisor Miles Sari and myself flew to D.C last weekend to participate in the Associated Collegiate Press conference to represent The Chart and Missouri Southern. 

We visited essential tourist spots like the National Portrait Gallery and the Supreme Court Building. Sargent even attended the parade for the Nationals.

The three of us got to take in the sights and sounds of Washington D.C through tons of walking in the early morning chill and in the pouring rain at night. 

Attending the various conference sessions and watching as Marty Baron, executive editor from The Washington Post, completely roast someone for asking a misinformed question at his keynote or absorbing every word of what Abby Phillip, White House correspondent for CNN, said when addressing the claims that her efforts are “fake news” was an exciting opportunity.

This weekend was reinvigorating and gave us a chance to take a step back and reflect on our duties as journalists. That meant accepting hard truths and re-emphasizing things we already knew.

We came back from the trip inspired and fired up. 

With only one issue after this one left to distribute this semester, I got to brainstorm new ways for The Chart to grow and to recruit more people to join the paper. It is important for students to be involved on campus and being on the University paper is a great way to do it. 

If you are studying political science, take photos as a side hustle, attend sports games, are an active listener, have experience with selling ads or Adobe programs or if you merely love telling other people’s stories, than you would be a great fit for The Chart.

If you have any questions or merely want to chat about life and whatnot, then feel free to visit us in the Newsroom on the third floor of Webster Hall. We would love to meet you and welcome you.

Journalism is the only occupation secured by the Constitution. Even if journalism isn’t your endgame career, the skills you get from working on a student paper is priceless and will help you in any job.

I want to see The Chart grow this spring. We need your voice and your perspective. 

One of the biggest takeaways I had from our trip to D.C was that newsrooms need diversity to do their job properly. I want our staff to grow and continue growing and reaching more students long after I graduate.  

Journalism matters. Now more than ever.