Letter from the Feature Editor, 2023-24 – The Cauldron
This letter from the Feature Editor for the 2023-24 academmic year was not printed and is digital only.
The heart of any feature story is the opportunity for a journalist to take a deep dive into what they are writing about, inspiring and sharing new perspectives through the exploration of a wide variety of topics from multiple angles.
Not only do these stories allow for the audience to better know their community at the university, but they have the opportunity to provide a jumping off point for curious readers to continue learning about the world around them. As Features Editor, I have had the wonderful opportunity to both read and write some of these stories, seeing first hand how all of the time, energy and care put into them can come to fruition.
As a linguistics and international relations double major, I have always had a love for how language and writing is interwoven into the idea of community, yet I admit that at the beginning I was unsure of how that love would translate into actually working with a real publication.
I only started at The Cauldron this semester, and really had to work to shake the imposter syndrome that came along with joining a team halfway through the year, at a school I had only started going to the semester prior, all while feeling unsure about my writing itself.
Writing has always felt as if it manages to find its way to me, rather than me seeking it out. I grew up almost resenting it, seeing it as a purely academic requirement. Only in high school did I start to see my writing as a form of freedom and self-expression. Whether it’s because of the community of passionate people, the self reflection it ignites or the importance of sharing an important story with the reader, over time, I have grown to love writing in all of its forms.
This semester at The Cauldron has been an amazing experience, more than I could have ever imagined when I first applied. The people and the passion they carry in their writing are an inspiration to me, and I hope to continue growing and learning from them as much as I can.
Julia Srnec, Features Editor