“By the way . . .”

That was how I was introduced to The Trinity Voice 12 years ago.

In the spring of 2000, I was on the phone interviewing for what I thought was a job teaching ninth graders about Beowulf and Shakespeare. But the school had other plans. They also needed someone to take over the advising position for the student newspaper.

And so, while English Department Chair Steve Krueger was grilling me about my approach to teaching, he said, “. . . by the way, we also need someone to teach journalism.”

Fortunately for me, the fact that I had never taken a journalism course in school and never written for a newspaper did not disqualify me for the position.

And that’s the story of how I got the job of adviser for The Trinity Voice.

   The Trinity Voice was a modest affair in those days—a staff of 15 students put out an 8-12 page issue once or twice a semester. Today, the staff has doubled in size. The average issue is 20-24 pages, and it comes out eight times a year. For many years running, the student newspaper has garnered high rankings by both the Florida Scholastic Press Association and National Scholastic Press Association. And there are even bigger plans in store for the future, with a bold new layout design and possibly an online edition.

While the newspaper has moved forward by leaps and bounds, I’ve decided to step down from my role as adviser. I’ve enjoyed my time in the newsroom, but, with my passion for mythology and early English literature, and I’m jazzed to have the opportunity to jump back in that saddle. I’m also excited that next year’s The Trinity Voice will be advised by Erin Miller—someone who is both a gifted teacher and who has real journalistic chops.

I’m proud of the fact the The Trinity Voice has become a vital, engaged, and robust publication during my years as adviser, and I’m even more proud of the fact that it has done so because students have answered the call of journalism.

They have realized the importance of speaking for and informing their peers.

They have been the driving force providing students a voice on campus.

That’s what makes The Trinity Voice a newspaper worth reading, and that’s why I’ll continue to be an ardent supporter from the other side of the desk.

My final charge to the incoming staff and editors next year: Make me laugh. Make me cry. Make my blood boil. Make me more informed. And, above all, make me think.