Special Issue: Celebrating 35 Years of Hilltop Views

Special

Issue

HILLTOP VIEWS hilltopviewsonline.com

APRIL 7, 2022

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A Letter from the Editors ELLE BENT

& NINA MARTINEZ

Each academic year, Hilltop Views publishes a special issue, focusing on a theme. In the years prior, the special issue has covered relationships, mental health, race and sexual assault.

This year, Hilltop Views is celebrating 35 years as a student newspaper on the Hilltop. To honor and reflect, we’ve dedicated this issue to the anniversary of Hilltop Views. We invite you to read about some of the previous issues and the groundbreaking moments Hilltop Views student journalists have covered in the past 35 years. We reached out to some former Hilltop Views editors to see where they are today and how the student newspaper contributed to their careers.

In preparation for this issue, we took the time to look at a wide array of old print newspapers in the Archives and Special Collections Department of Munday Library. We would like to thank Archivist and Special Collections Librarian Travis Williams for providing us access to the archives of past Hilltop Views issues.

In our newsroom, each of our editors have learned the importance of the student paper.

From developing skills as writers and editors to using the paper as a platform for student voices, Hilltop Views is an irreplaceable, vital part of the St. Edward’s community.

As St. Edward’s grows and changes as a school, Hilltop Views remains the same in its mission: To inform and uplift the voices of the St. Edward’s community and to bring students together as we develop skills to further us in our careers.

We hope you use this special issue to realize the importance of Hilltop Views and reflect on how special it is to continue to have a free press on the Hilltop.

Happy Reading, Elle & Nina

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LIFE & ARTS

LIFE & ARTS 9

ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $16,000 GRANT TO DIGITIZE UNIVERSITY NEWSPAPERS

By Nina Martinez

Walking into the Munday Library, past the chess boards and rows of desktops, sits a windowed room on the left. The lights gently illuminate the space, drawing eyes toward the Heritage Edition of The Saint John’s Bible and the cases of nostalgic Hilltopper memorabilia. This is the Tocker Reading Room.

The Munday Library does more than provide a space for students to study, learn and create; it’s also home

“The newspapers

are a definitive

source of information about SEU history,”

TRAVIS WILLIAMS

to the extensive Archives and Special Collections of St. Edward’s University. The University Archives go further than the founding of the school in 1885. There are even medieval manuscripts that date as far back as the 1500s.

On March 22, The Archives and Special Collections Department of Munday Library was awarded a grant valued at $16,000 through the Tocker Foundation for the digitization of all of St. Edward’s University’s newspapers. The Tocker Foundation distributes funds to uplift small, rural libraries. Although the Munday Library is not a small, rural library, the Archives and Special Collections Department received their grant through the foundation’s Newspaper Digitization Grant.

The grant is in partnership with the University of North Texas’ Texas Digital Newspaper Program via UNT’s Portal to Texas History. The Munday Library has been partnered with UNT for the ongoing digitization since 2017 and is one of the portal’s 463 partners across the state, contributing to the 1,767,963 digitized archives on the portal.

“The newspapers are a definitive source of informamilitary academy newspaper. The St. Edward’s Alumni tion about SEU history,” Archivist and Special CollecNewsletter (1955-1999) and Lonestar Catholic issues tions Librarian Travis Williams said. “Sometimes they from 1957-1960, which includes a column written by are the only source on a given topic, so to have them Holy Cross Brothers from SEU, will also be digitized. available online and fully searchable opens a world of The project aims to complete the digitization in one research possibilities for students and faculty. It would year. After two years of organizing towering stacks of be difficult to overstate how lucky we are to have the newspapers, with help from Library Student Ambassupport of the Tocker Foundation in making these sadors, the department can now add remaining archives items available to our community.” to the portal.

In August 2016, the Munday Library applied for, Whether students want to enjoy a sneak peak into the and was later awarded, a $1,000 grant to digitize the past or delve into the hilltop’s history for research, the newspapers. The university began digitizing the oldest Munday Library welcomes everyone. newspapers and working their way toward 2004. On “Students are always welcome to tour the Archives the St. Edward’s archives digital exhibition page, five Reading Room [by appointment] and are encouraged of the college newspapers are partially digitized. Acto speak with library staff about ways to incorporate cording to Williams, the initial grant was limited and archival resources into their work while on the hilltop,” eventually ran out, whereas this new award allows the Williams said. “Visit archives.stedwards.edu and take a department to digitize every newspaper. look around!”

The current digital archives begin with the very first issue from 1888, when the paper was known as The College Echo. The university newspaper was known by five titles: The College Echo (1888-1903), The Echo (1919-1943), The Hilltopper (1947-1984), The Edwardian (19851987) and, currently, Hilltop Views (1987-present).

The College Echo has been 90% digitized, The Echo is 80% digitized and The Hilltopper, The Edwardian and Hilltop Views are still in the process of being digitized. This grant will help fill in those gaps.

The grant also includes the digitization of other additional print collections. The project will digitize the high school newspaper, St. Edward’s High School Echo (1946NINA MARTINEZ / HILLTOP VIEWS 1961) and The Cadet The Archives Reading Room is located in the Munday Library and can be accessed only through appointment. The Archives and (1943-1946), which was Special Collections Department houses copies of each university newspaper. the newspaper when the school was a military academy. which was the

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8 LIFE & ARTS

From publishing to politics: Past Editor-inChief reflects on journalism in college

By Mickey Bromely

For many of us, college is a place to find answers to the big questions: Who are we? What do we want to do with ourselves? Amanda Gonzalez, former editor-in-chief of Hilltop Views, knew

struggles and successes, their service and sacrifices,” Gonzalez said. “Most of the profiles I wrote were on SEU student-athletes and coaches because I've always appreciated that athletes have the unique platform to captivate and inspire.”

Gonzalez wrote dozens of articles during her time as sports editor, and showed no signs of slowing down until a fateful encounter in her junior year.

“During college, I received the Texas Tuition Equalization Grant, which needs to be re-approved by the Texas Legislature every two years,” Gonzalez said. “In the spring of my junior year, I had the opportunity to speak at the Texas State Capitol through the St. Edward's student financial services department COURTESY OF AMANDA GONZALEZ to thank my hometown Amanda Gonzalez works in Austin as the Legislative Director state representative, for Texas House Representative Armando Martinez.

Sergio Muñoz, Jr., for supporting continued funding for the grant. By the answers to these questions before the end of that conversation, he offered she ever walked through the red doors. me a legislative internship position.”

“While I was a student at Pharr-San This offer caused Gonzalez to reconJuan-Alamo North Early College High sider her plans. A political internship School in the Rio Grande Valley, I was wasn’t exactly journalism, but Gonzaheavily involved in the student newspa- lez’s mentor and uncle Joey Gonzalez per, yearbook team and UIL Journalism eventually convinced her that the opcompetitions,” Gonzalez said. “Once I portunity was too good to pass up. arrived at St. Edward's, I started writing After she began the internship, Hillfor Hilltop Views the first week of my top Views promoted Gonzalez to manfreshman year in 2014.” aging editor in 2017 and again to ediIt didn’t take long for Hilltop Views tor-in-chief in her final spring semester to recognize her talents, as she was pro- in 2018. She graduated with a major in moted to sports editor in the spring of Journalism & Digital Media and a mi2015. nor in Spanish. However, the internship “I particularly enjoyed writing profiles she had received from Sergio Muñoz Jr. and sharing people's life stories — their proved to be more than just aw learn-

ing experience. The position inspired Gonzalez to make a career out of public policy.

“Since my graduation from St. Edward's in 2018,” Gonzalez said, “I have worked in and around the Texas State Capitol for South Texas state representatives, a bipartisan legislative group [Mexican American Legislative Caucus], and a nonprofit research organization [Every Texan, formerly known as the Center for Public Policy Priorities].”

Gonzalez currently works as the legislative director for Texas state Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez, who serves House District 39 in the Rio Grande Valley. Despite this position’s disconnect from journalism, Gonzalez values her experience with Hilltop Views every day.

“Hilltop Views taught me the value of gathering accurate facts, preserving

institutional knowledge and listening compassionately to all voices, especially the voices of those who are often underrepresented in media and politics,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez’s story is an inspiring one, and it speaks to the immense value and unpredictability of the college experience. Even those of us with the most carefully laid plans might find ourselves in uncharted territory, and that uncertainty may bring new opportunities.

“If I could talk to my college self, '' Gonzalez said, “I would tell myself to trust that hard work pays off, and everything will work out according to God's plan, not my ultra-detailed five-year plan. The red doors at St. Ed's welcomed me fondly eight years ago, just as other career doors have opened at the right place and time without me even knocking.”

NINA MARTINEZ/HILLTOP VIEWS

Pictured above is Gonzalez's first front page story in print. She reported on the possible change to a plus/minus grading system for the Fall 2015 semester.

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LIFE & ARTS 9

Former staff writer continues her rise in the industry through many endeavors

By Kennady Basdekis-Morin From a young age, St. Edward’s alumna, journalist and soon-to-be author, Brooke Lewis, knew that writing would be her connection to the world. Starting as a student journalist at her high school, Lewis used her time at the Hilltop to strengthen and express her writing skills. During the journey through adulthood, she reflected on her time as a staff writer for Hilltop Views and the various opportunities, memories and lessons she collected.

“I always loved writing as a kid and always thought I would be an author. I think many people get into journalism that way, where they like writing, but they’re trying to figure out how they can survive as an adult and not just be a creative writer. High school journalism is where I initially fell in love with it,” said Lewis, remembering her path to the hilltop.

Looking for colleges aligned with her love for journalism, Lewis contemplated New York but found herself drawn to a small quaint university overlooking Austin. In 2010, journalism was only an

tal media professionals like professor Mary Ruth and professor Jena Heath, Lewis was able to become confident and strengthen her writing as a reporter on various topics spanning from news, profiles, arts and other journalistic genres.

“I actually enjoyed writing on deadline,” Lewis said, “it was around my freshman year when I had the interest to begin writing for the paper and I am so grateful that I went to St. Edward’s because the writing faculty helped me so much as a writer.”

Through her time at the Hilltop, Lewis was able to find her path in journalism by reporting on various topics like news, profiles, arts and other journalistic genres. Her archived stories on student employment pay, environmental politics and odd scientific studies highlight her adaptability and professionalism as a young journalist for Hilltop Views.

“I didn’t really have a niche back then, and I remember kind of feeling like I needed to have one because that’s what you’re told so much in school, but I do think you learn what your niche is through reporting on so many different things,” Lewis said, “I liked reporting on whatever was going on on campus and that allowed me to meet a lot of different people, and really grow my journalism skills.”

The path to success was not one without challenges or self-doubt. Lewis recalls times when she was unsure of her writing and her ability to obtain internship expe- BROOKE LEWIS rience. She now chuckles at the thought and shares adavailable minor for students at St. Ed- vice to students who could also struggle ward’s, but after hearing of the student- to see their talents and potential. led newspaper, Hilltop Views, Lewis “There’s so much to enjoy about colwas determined to accomplish her jour- lege, like learning about yourself, so stay nalistic aspirations. present and in the moment. Enjoy and Learning from journalism and digi- take advantage of all the experiences

" Enjoy and take advantage of

all the experiences and oppourtunities that you get in college..."

and opportunities that you get in college the Houston area. If students are interbecause I am so glad that the intern- ested in getting involved, they can visit ships that I did, and the classes that I the site to donate to the festivals, Gotook, along with the fun I had with my friends, helped me make the most of those moments, and not stress so much,” Lewis said.

After graduating from St. Edward’s in 2014, Lewis obtained her master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University, reported for Texas Monthly and Houston Chronicle, became an educator for nonprofit Writers in Schools (WITS), and is now looking to publish her first nonfiction book. The book is about a 20-year-old girl named Autumn Waters coming of age and embarking on her journey with faith and the choice of whether COURTESY OF BROOKE LEWIS or not she wants a relationship with God. Lewis' expereince writing for Hilltop Views expanded her Outside of these acknowledge of writing and opened doors to lead her to where complishments, Lewis she is today. has also co-founded the BIPOC Book festival, a recreation of the beloved scholastic FundMe, volunteer or be a vendor at the book fairs that will be centered around market. the literary works of Black, Indigenous, Lewis described her time on the hilltop People of Color, and members of other as one wholly immersed in knowledge. marginalized communities.

Through her study and understanding “It came out of a love of books; I am of journalism, she was able to gain and excited about it and think it’ll bring a lot build on top of many other skills aside of book lovers together. It’ll also repre- from just writing. To Lewis, these skills sent how Houston looks, and I feel like and experiences have made her a wellHouston is what America looks like,” rounded journalist and individual.She Lewis said. hopes that others, too, will benefit from The festival will have an adult day and studying journalism as they find the joy a children’s day on April 23 and 24 and of opportunity and experience from rewill be held in two different locations in porting for Hilltop Views.

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By Nina Martinez

35 YEARS OF REPORTING

6 LIFE & ARTS

Vol. 1, No. 1 February 16, 1987 Hilltop Views publishes its first print issue.

Vol. 13, No. 8 March 6. 1998 President Patricia Hayes leaves SEU after 14 years of service.

Vol. 4, No. 12 April 9, 1990 SEU Health Center helps students combat AIDS.

Vol. 15, No. 5 November 12, 1999 George Martin is inaugurated as St. Edward's 23rd president.

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Vol. 44, No. 5 October 10, 2018 SEU is awared $1.5 million grant for STEM programs.

Vol. 44, No.9 November 7, 2018 The Pavilions (now St. Andre Apartments) flood, relocating students to other housing.

Vol. 49, No. 4 April 28, 2021 St. Edward's welcomes Monserrat Fuentes as new president.

35 YEARS OF REPORTING

Vol. 18, No. 11 April 21, 2003 The College Assistance Migrant Program celebrates 30 years.

LIFE & ARTS 97

8 LIFE & ARTS

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From the Hilltop to a non-profit: Jacob Sanchez’s story

By MORGAN TAYLOR

Jacob Sanchez, former editor-inchief at Hilltop Views, has embodied the advice he gave in an interview with him on Monday: Get your work published and be open to working outside of your comfort zone.

Sanchez grew up in the West Texas town of Fort Stockton, where he worked at his high school’s newspaper.

He began attending St. Edward’s University in 2012 and started writing for Hilltop Views.

He was editor-in-chief during his junior and senior years, where he implemented many of the procedures and standards the publication uses today.

During his junior year, Hilltop Views published its first Special Issue, which

Telegram, where he covered topics impacting Belton and Bell County. During his time at the publication, he occasionally covered the education beat.

“When I first started out in journalism, I said ‘I don’t want to deal with the kids, I hate kids,’” Sanchez said. “But in Temple, there would be days when the education reporter was out, and I’d get some daily assignment to go out to the school and cover this, talk to a kid or two… and through that, I learned ‘oh, the kids aren’t that bad.’”

Sanchez said his experience with covering breaking news and publishing online with Hilltop Views helped prepare him for his daily work as a journalist. His five years in Temple allowed him to hone the skills he learned in school.

During the last months of his time at the Temple Daily Te l e g r a m , Sanchez saw an opening at a new non-profit publication in Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Report.

Even though COURTESY OF JACOB SANCHEZ he had nevJacob Sanchez shifted his focus unexpectedly, finding a true passion for working with er been to Fort non-profits.

Worth before, Sanchez felt that he should covered how sexual assault impacts apply because he believed in the publistudents. cation’s mission statement and vision.

Sanchez graduated in 2016 with a “Non-profit journalism really is the bachelor’s in political science and a mi- future of the industry,” Sanchez said. nor in journalism. In June of that year, “For (the “Fort Worth Report”), we he began working at the Temple Daily are online-only, all of our journalism is

free and it’s made here locally by people who live here locally.”

Sanchez said he applied to the Fort Worth Report last February during

working outside of Austin.

“Don’t get hooked on staying in Austin,” he said. “There’s so many places out in Texas, or across the country if

NINA MARTINEZ / HILLTOP VIEWS Sanchez currently does his work with his pug, Buddy at his side. His non-profit work is what he's found a passion for.

the historic winter storms. While he was working from home, he received an email from the publisher asking to interview him. After speaking to the editor for over an hour on the phone, Sanchez was hired to be the education reporter and began working in March 2021.

For students ready to enter the journalism field, Sanchez offered two tips that have been critical to his success.

Firstly, working at as many internships as possible will allow you to strengthen your skills and get your work published. Second, be comfortable with

you want to go outside of Texas, with job openings.”

Sanchez also says that students should remember that other journalists have been in their position before.

“You’re not going to be paid the best, I’ve been there,” he said. “But I have learned so much and it has helped me get this job… I would do it all over again.”

Sanchez’s award-winning journalism work can be found in the Temple Daily Telegram, the Texas Tribune and the Texas Observer. Currently, he lives in Fort Worth with his pug, Buddy.

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LIFE & ARTS 9

Hilltop Views alumna reminisces on collaborating in the newsroom

By KATHRYN O'PELLA

Myrka Moreno is a St. Edward’s Hilltop Views alumna working as an audience engagement producer at The 19th. She manages all of their social media platforms.

Moreno entered St. Edward’s University in 2015 as part of the College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP) with the intention to study graphic design. She did not go into college to pursue a career in journalism.

Moreno first became interested in journalism when she picked up an issue of Hilltop Views in the Fall of 2015. Her passion for journalism began to grow after attending an involvement fair in the spring of 2016.

"I went to budget meetings for Hilltop Views. I was too shy and sat in the back at first," Moreno said.

Editor-in-chief at the time Rosemond Crown encouraged Moreno to write articles for Hilltop Views. By the end of the semester, Moreno was asked to be a social media editor working with Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. " Hilltop Views taught me how to work collaboratively in the newsroom, confidently approach people and form close connections with other journalism students and professors, like Dr. Curt Yowell,” Moreno said. “I couldn't have imagined not working with them and getting to know them."

While working for Hilltop Views, Moreno wrote articles about celebrities, covered St. Edward's 2016 Homecoming Casino Night and participated in a Facebook live show.

"I wanted to write things, read things, create," Moreno said. "Talking to people was one of the hardest parts."

Initially, she was insecure in her work, but she became more comfortable as she continued to write. Journalism required Moreno to become a social person, learn how to start conversations and be persistent in following up with people.

to find internships outside of Hilltop Views. She eventually landed a job at The 19th, an independent, nonprofit newsroom based in Austin. The news organization focuses their coverage on the intersection of gender, politics and policy.

Moreno now works as an audience engagement producer at The 19th, where she manages socials with a co-producer.

Together they run the company's social media campaign on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. The job includes promoting daily and feature stories and developing larger social plans. Moreno edits stories, plans events for sponsors and manages events that engage with the audience.

For new St. Edward's graduates, Moreno said that students should find what their passions are.

"If it's not something you're passionate about, it's hard to force yourself to like it and hard to sell yourself for a company job,” Moreno said. “Apply for jobs that you align with and think they align with you."

Moreno remembers many late nights putting issues together for Hilltop Views. "[The work] starts off productive, then we hit a wall," said Moreno.

One of her favorite memories was a late night when she, along with other writers and editors, worked in one of St. Edward's older buildings. It was cold and windy, and the window got stuck open. Everyone tried, unsuccessfully, to close the window. Eventually, they moved to another building because they didn't have time to deal with the broken window.

COURTESY OF MYRKA MORENO "It was times like those that built comFormer social media editor Myrka Moreno discusses time at Hilltop Views, including collaborating with the other radery which made it fun and brought editors at the time. Moreno currently works as an audience engagement producer at the 19th. us together," Moreno said. "Forming "When I was a news editor, I had at least through storytelling. Over time, "inter- close bonds with other journalism stuthree different sources for three different viewing people became a passion project," dents was encouraging and helpful for my stories," Moreno said.

Moreno said. career."

She began to love representing people After graduation, she felt lost trying

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OPINION: In a male-dominated industry, women are gaining their voice in news

By CLAIRE LAWRENCE

For as long as journalism has been around, women have made a substantial contribution to many outlets, including sports journalism, investigative reporting and broadcast journalism.

Nowadays, many newsrooms and media outlets are full of women, with a little more than 50%of female employees. A survey in 2016 showed that nearly a third of newsrooms were female. While female contribution and success in the journalism industry continues to grow, the newsroom wasn’t always inviting.

The first account of war taken by a woman dates back to the 18th century. Since then, many other women have made their mark with reporting and broadcasting. But it wasn’t until the late 19th century when women gained the right to be a part of Nowadays, manythe newsroom.

At first, women were restricted to newsrooms and me-what was known as “society reporting” where local dia outlets are full ofonly, charity and social events were covered, as well as gossip and women." visual storytelling.

Many of these society reports consisted of pictures to make up for the lack of writing.

Carol Sutton was one of the few women who were given the opportunity to edit in a newsroom, and her promotion was seen as a huge success to the point where Time even titled her one of the Women of the Year in the 70s. Her achievement was so important that she needed to be put on a pedestal, sparking determination in younger female journalists at the time.

Other women in journalism who have made significant contributions to the industry include Ida B. Wells, Dorothy Thompson and Diane Sawyer. Thompson was responsible for coverage in Germany during World War II and Sawyer was one of the first women to be recognized for her investigative reporting.

While a woman being awarded for her coverage in the 21st century may not be as publicly celebrated as it used to be, it doesn’t take away from it’s contribution.

Women may not have to fight for their position in a newsroom as much as they used to, but they do have to endure other challenges.

Inequalities and sexism in the workplace is prevalent

in many jobs, including journalism. Women who have been harassed in the newsroom felt there was little to do if they wanted to keep their jobs. Some have said they see it as something they have to go through as they go about their job. From these accounts, it seems like sexism in the workplace is so inevitable that women going into journalism may assume they will experi-

ence harassment at some point in their career.

Overall, there is a clear increase of women in the newsrooms that continues to inspire younger female journalists to keep going. Women journalists will continue to break barriers in the industry and show that sexism is no reason to give up their passion for reporting.

"

COURTESY OF WIKI COMMONS

Dorothy Thompson was one of the few women who made a name for themselves in the 20th century. She was the first American journalist to be expelled from Nazi Germeny during her coverage of World War II.

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OPINION: Student journalism is crucial for freedom of speech

LIFE & ARTS 9

By ISABELLA BASS Freedom of the press is a vital right we have as Americans, and the way to protect democracy is to prevent censorship and ensure everyone has access to news.

Preventing censorship and making sure students’ voices are heard is also important for universities to

emphasize. High school and college journalism is an important resource for students to have, and it’s important that this is recognized.

There are a lot of skills college journalism can help students with. For example, writing for school publications can definitely improve writing skills by seeing other perspectives and how audiences interpret their writing. Interview protocols, writing tips and AP style are sometimes difficult to learn and memorize, and it’s best that students get practice with it in case they ever encounter that writing style in their future jobs.

Me e t i ng deadlines is also a very important skill that students need to learn before entering the workforce.

While we all meet deadlines with our homework, journalism deadlines are different.

There is more of a sense of urgency to submit journalism pieces on time NINA MARTINEZ, GRACIE WATT / HILLTOP VIEWS

Freedom of the press is a vital right that all Americans are guaranteed by the first amendment. Student journalism is not only important for students learning to write, it's also crucial to ensuring the next generation of journalists continues the pursuit of truth.

(in my experience). If students have a better understanding of urgency and enjoy what they write, they are more likely to meet deadlines consistently. If deadlines are not met in journalism, the consequences are more than just a bad grade or deducted points.

Journalism also helps students improve their com-

" Preventing censorship and

making sure students' voices are heard is also important for universities to emphasize." munication skills and take criticism. Writers are constantly having to keep in touch with their editors, and the editors have to make sure they are on top of all the stories. Editors are always giving feedback to their writers, and writers have to learn to take that feedback and learn from it. It can be difficult to receive criticism on a weekly basis but journalism helps students be able to do that.

Another aspect of communication skills that journalism helps improve is conducting interviews and communicating with those they don’t know very well.

Interviews can be stressful and nerve racking, but it definitely becomes easier with practice. Journalism is a field where you have to talk and negotiate with people you don’t know well, and getting more practice with that can only benefit you in the long run.

Even if students choose not to go into journalism after graduation, these skills can help them in other fields and life in general. Journalism is an incredibly important asset to have in our society, and it’s just as important that students have access to classes and clubs that are focused on it. Without journalism on college campuses, students will likely have less knowledge on how to access and obtain current news information. Print and online journalism are important and useful, and university faculty and administration needs to make sure that these organizations are present on campus.

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