Letter from the Editor

Letter From the Editor-in-Chief

Thank you for picking up this month’s edition of the Encounter, “#Trending.” In this issue, you will find our staff reporting on popular trends from the past year. From a discussion on TikTok and its effect on the music industry, to the rise in popularity of Formula 1 racing, there’s something in here for everyone!

As the Fall Semester comes to a close, I’ve looked back on all that the Encounter team has done as a whole and individually. We’ve all come so far, and each of us has had to deal with our own challenges along with challenges from the magazine. I’m incredibly grateful for each and every one of them, and I look forward to working with them next semester.

The spring 2022 semester will be my first entire semester that I will be Editor-in-Chief. I’m excited to show what I can bring to the table as editor and to help everyone on our staff to become the best writers that they can be. Most editors make a list of all the things they want to change before their time is up. Although I'm a firm believer that change is good, I don’t think there is anything that I want to necessarily change. Instead, I'd like to improve.

I’d love to increase our readership amongst the student body. After all, the Encounter is written by students, for students. If we’re not catering to our biggest audience then we’re not reaching our full potential!

I’d love for the design team to produce some of the best work they’ve ever made. I want every page to pop and be nothing but a burst of color. If the design isn’t interesting enough, no one will take the time to read that piece.

I’d love for our staff writers to bring their best pieces to the table. I want them to be immersed in news writing and to be able to love everything they bring to the Encounter. Although it can be hard to love everything you do, simply being confident in your work is enough for me.

Overall, I just want the Encounter to be the best that it can be. In order to do this, everyone involved needs to be appreciated and applauded for their work. During the spring semester, I plan on doing the best that I can to be the best leader there is.

Again, thank you for picking up the “#Trending” edition of the Encounter! I hope you love it just as much as we do.

With love, Sarah Vandermolen