Ella Prieto ’26 (Photo William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
When I entered Gettysburg College, I had no intention of writing for the school newspaper. In high school, I had only written periodically for an editorial paper we ran, but I never found myself being committed to it. Thus, I find myself very surprised to be writing this note.
At the beginning of my first year here, I struggled immensely. I felt that I did not have friends, missed my home, and overall felt miserable. So when my first-year seminar peer learning associate asked the class if we wanted to write for The Gettysburgian, I said yes to give myself something to do.
To my surprise, I found myself loving writing, a task I had never been particularly fond of before. As I wrote more and more articles, I was elevated to the position of Assistant News Editor, serving with our current Editor-in-Chief but then News Editor Laken Franchetti ’24. Being on the Editorial Board was a joy, and I felt that I had truly found my place.
Now, I serve as both the Managing and News Editor this semester, two roles I am honored to have. I find myself looking forward to our meetings, the hours dedicated to editing and creating our magazines and the time we commit to our online content. I cherish every second of doing these roles that I never imagined I would have but which have given me so much happiness and a sense of belonging. I hope you find these two things in every magazine you pick up that we create.
This magazine explores various avenues of campus, from the Interfraternity Council to the College’s musical “The Prom!” It discusses the changes facing Gettysburg College as we reflect on the closing of the Gettysburg Review and the impact of the administration. There are examinations of “cancel culture,” intramural soccer and environmentalism. Pieces of campus are sprinkled throughout, and I hope you too can also find your place among them.
Ella Prieto ’26
Managing and News Editor
The Gettysburgian
This article originally appeared on page 2 of the No. 2 October 2023 edition of The Gettysburgian’s magazine.
