Pictured Above: Trevor Martindale is a senior political science major and the managing editor of ‘The Crow’s Nest’.
Sophie Ojdanic | The Crow’s Nest
By Trevor Martindale
Becoming the managing editor of a newspaper without any journalistic experience sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, but I’d say it worked out just fine.
My introduction to journalism was a brief lecture from none other than The Crow’s Nest’s adviser, Rob Hooker.
“Here at The Crow’s Nest, we are cynical, skeptical journalists,” he said.
Although not every news story or feature required me to invoke this mindset, Rob’s words guided my approach to writing and inclined me to reflect on the field of journalism as the year progressed.
When a complex, yet important question is posed, it is imperative that someone seeks out the answers. And when someone gives an ambiguous response to a question, someone needs to be there to ask a follow-up.
Sometimes a news story that may seem irrelevant to you, would be informative and compelling to another.
A thoughtful and comprehensive feature story can motivate someone to try something new, or attempt to understand a perspective or hobby that they otherwise wouldn’t have.
These weekly thoughts and realizations quickly prompted me to have a deep reverence for journalism –– there is power in disseminating information –– and with great power, comes great responsibility.
My time at The Crow’s Nest forced me to interact with others who fulfilled this oh-so-important role. This led to some disagreements in the office, and in turn, some compromise.
At the end of the day, The Crow’s Nest staff had one collective goal –– inform the USF St. Petersburg community with absolute efficiency and accuracy. In this regard, The Crow’s Nest’s 2020 and 2021 were a success.
Everyone played their part –– and made the paper what it is today.
Interacting and conversing with a group of such hard-working and creative people was an experience that will stay with me forever.
I was challenged to become a better writer, a more thoughtful and curious student, and most of all, I have developed a healthy and productive level of cynicism.
