Pictured above from left to right: The Crow’s Nest 2018-2019 editorial staff. Top row: Anna Bryson, Emily Wunderlich, Whitney Elfstrom, Amy Diaz and Juliet Di Preta. Bottom row: Brianna Rodriguez, Jonah Hinebaugh, Martha Rhine and Jordan Prince. Luke Cross | The Crow’s Nest
By Whitney Elfstrom
Dear students,
We’re back at the Jewel by the Bay with a full year ahead of us. For some of you, this may be the first time you’ve stepped foot on a college campus. For others, you might only have a few more credits until you can kiss Cheryl the Bull goodbye.
Regardless of where you’re at in your college career, one thing that remains the same is the importance of knowing what’s going on around you.
That’s where The Crow’s Nest comes in. We’re the campus newspaper written for students, by students.
Each week our staff members and contributors strive to put forth a paper that informs the student body and faculty about what’s happening on campus, in St. Petersburg and around the world.
Last year we broke stories about the ousting of former Regional Chancellor Sophia Wisniewska, the stripping of USF St. Petersburg’s separate accreditation and student government election mishaps.
We also explored the wobbly world of slacklining, the rambunctious downtown St. Petersburg scene and the countless opportunities our campus gives students to get involved.
Our goal is to bring students stories they need to know and want to read.
But before I go any further, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Whitney Elfstrom and I’m the editor-in-chief of The Crow’s Nest.
I’m an introvert who was forced out of her shell after entering the journalism field. I have an orange tabby cat creatively named Cat. I’m a pop culture nut and will slip references into every conversation I have, whether it be on purpose or accident. I believe any problem can be fixed with a good cup of black coffee, and I spent the summer interning at the Herald-Tribune where I covered the overflowing arts scene of Sarasota.
I haven’t always been a journalist, but I have always been a writer.
I grew up dreaming of being a renowned American author who would pen the next “Catcher in the Rye.” Later in my teens, I longed to be the next Amy Sherman Palladino and write television shows like “Gilmore Girls.”
Neither one of those endeavors seemed to stick, but when I found The Crow’s Nest, everything clicked.
For more than a year I’ve poured my heart and soul into this paper.
I started out as a staff reporter and covered articles about tiny homes and the women’s march. Then I became the online editor and helped further launch us into the digital age. Last spring, I filled the role of managing editor and ensured that our publication process flowed smoothly each week.
As long as I’ve been here, I’ve heard students say that we only cater to our friends. I hope to change that.
I want this newspaper to be a resource for the campus, not just in the stories that we tell but also through how we interact with the community. In times past, our editors have historically pulled contributors from journalism classes. I want to widen our approach by reaching out to other majors.
At the end of the day we’re a staff made up of students. We’re here to not only break important news regarding the university, but to also give students, clubs and faculty a chance to have their stories told.
We also aim to give students the opportunity to try their hand at telling these stories through words, photos and videos.
If you’ve ever considered being a journalist or you’re interested in seeing what all the fuss is about, come check out one of our contributor’s meetings every Tuesday at 5 p.m. in room 2400 of the Student Life Center.
We welcome eager writers, photographers and videographers at any level to come and pitch stories they want to tell or want to see told.
Those who may not be writers, but would like an event covered or who may know of an issue around campus that needs to be explored are invited to stop by our office or to email us at welfstrom@mail.usf.edu.
The campus newspaper has changed significantly since I first joined, but our dedication to seek and report the truth has always never wavered.
I’m a strong believer that communication is one of the most important aspects of life and because of that, I welcome you — our readers — to provide feedback through guest columns, letters to the editor or simply sitting down and having a conversation.
Our door and ears are always open. Here’s to fall semester, may it be ever in your favor.
Sincerely,
Whitney Elfstrom
