By Vee Sharp
Copy Editor
I fell into copy editing by accident. Seeing applications opening for editor positions in my email during freshman year, I made a joke about applying, despite my lack of experience and initial interest in journalism. My friend at the time — Erica Quinones — encouraged me to do so anyway, and even prodded me as applications were about to close. I did not expect that application to lead anywhere, and I certainly did not expect to get hired; but Erica saw potential in what I demonstrated in our interview, and from there the direction of my college career changed.
My Mondays at the copy table kept me stable. The opportunity itself gave me something to look forward to after a rough start. It offered community and a link to other writers on campus, some of whom have become some of my closest friends and colleagues.
Copy editing taught me discernment. It taught me fact-checking and editing and the role of journalism in a community. The moments where the other copy editors and I would catch factual or grammatical slip-ups made me realize that, though our impact on the paper was quiet, we were a barrier between the paper and misinformation. And, as I matured, so did my confidence in my editing decisions, and in my writing. This experience has fundamentally changed how I view my work, and that change has been invaluable. I owe The Elm so much, and I know my other graduating seniors feel the same way.
More than just a site of personal meaning, our newspaper is important. This past year has only cemented that for me, that now more than ever those who spread truth are necessary. The Elm’s burgeoning journalists stand between the student body and Washington College as an institution, the two of which will always have conflicting needs. The WC community deserves a source of coverage separate from any agenda. The interest in such a source is proven every other week when I see people reading our articles in copies distributed around campus.
I have confidence that The Elm will persist. Riley taking on the mantle of Editor-in-Chief brings me a lot of hope for where the paper will go. Though we will continue to evolve and change, the need for truth remains the same, and I know that the future editors will continue our work and do it well.
Before I leave, I want to thank everyone that helped me and walked with me along this journey.
Thank you, Erica, for believing in me and for teaching me how valuable this work is.
Thank you to Emma Reilly, my second EIC and wonderful colleague, for your friendship and for your trust.
Thank you to Liv Barry, our wonderful outgoing EIC and a fantastic steward of the paper and writer. You guided us through two semesters full of turmoil with grace and competency.
Thank you to Dan Divilio, for advising the paper and for putting up with my copy table shenanigans. You truly are an invaluable mentor of this team, and I know I speak for everyone when I say that your guidance means the world.
Thank you to the other copyeditors this year, Grace Hogsten and Delaney Runge: thank you for catching the mistakes that I missed, for laughing with me, for being champions when I keep forgetting to bring a different colored pen.
And, lastly, thank you to the WC Community. Thank you for reading our paper. Thank you for valuing our journalism. It is because of you that we exist, and because of you that we will persist. Keep picking up our copies, and keep valuing the truth.
Photo by Sophie Foster
Photo Caption: Vee Sharp, who has been copy editing for The Elm for the past three years of their college career.