We get by with a little help from our friends

Editorial | September 21st, 2017

Our opinion: We’re more than the sum of our parts

Over the weekend I was telling a friend of mine that one of the most valuable things a person can gain in life is perspective. My time at the High Plains Reader has gifted me just that.

Last week John Strand led our 23 year birthday cheer. I’m happy to say that I’ve had the privilege of serving as editor-in-chief for two of those years. As cliched as it may sound, time flies when you’re having fun, right?

It has been simultaneously the most rewarding and challenging job I’ve ever had. I get a chance to speak with people who are passionate about what they’re doing and I get to work with such a colorful staff.

There’s never a dull moment in the office. Whether it’s morning hugs or being serenaded by John Strand himself. I’m fortunate to have a team of talented writers and would be lost without them. Together we aim to produce the best paper we can. I’m extremely thankful that John and Raul took a chance on hiring me on and welcoming me with open arms into the HPR family.

My intent as editor is to provide you, our readers, with varying perspectives, experiences, and help provide a well-rounded view of our world. We also want to keep on top of all the cool haps that are on our radar.

Another mission, though less eloquently stated, is to let people know about cool people and cool places doing cool stuff so they keep doing it. Plus if we don’t encourage artists in the area, they might try to find greener pastures.

Do you have an idea for a story? Let us know. If it’s in regard to an upcoming event we like to know two weeks in advance. That way we can budget our stories and assign them adequately. Heck, maybe we’ll make them a best bet.

I enjoy keeping my ear to the ground with the hope of learning or experiencing something new. I enjoy exploring uncharted territory in hopes of finding something to write home about, quite literally: swapping stories and sharing information. We just want to be the first ones to tell you.

Thanks to our writers we can grant you that opportunity. We’re always looking for writers and marketing interns. We wouldn’t be where we are today if it weren’t for our volunteers.

When I started writing for the Reader I was looking to add to my résumé and to provide support for the arts within my means. It’s a great way to meet people, gain experience, and foster community. Plus it feels good to be a part of something and it feels really good to see your name in print.

A big thanks to our copy editors Kris Gruber and Tom Bixby. They tidy up our grammar mishaps and make us look good. Tom is also my right hand man. He ties up my loose ends and is my HPR first mate. With his close attention to detail, tireless research, silver-tongued wit, and great taste in music, I couldn’t imagine it being anyone else.

RECENTLY IN

Recently in: