The newspaper I keep coming back to

As I think back on my time with the Oxford Free Press this spring, I think about something Editor-in-Chief Aidan Cornue said to me recently. While reminiscing on his first year with the paper, he mentioned that I’ve been here since he started.

Technically speaking, I’ve been at the Free Press for two months longer than Cornue has. This was my second internship here, doing practically the same responsibilities I had last summer. When applications opened for the spring, I jumped at the opportunity to return.

In my last intern column, I wrote about how the Free Press gave me an appreciation for local journalism. I still have that same passion, and I could write another column about it. Similarly, you’re probably expecting this piece to tell you how much experience I’ve gained from this internship and how I’ve grown as a journalist.

But I’d rather talk about how much fun I’ve had, and the family I’ve gained from it.

My job was entirely remote: I wrote the crime brief, edited stories, posted on our website and crafted our newsletters entirely from my bedroom. The only in-person responsibility I had was to attend our weekly staff meetings.

I worried that I’d feel disconnected from my staff because of this. I worried that my fellow co-workers would view me as nothing more than my icon that shows up along the margins of a Google Doc with critiques. But I can honestly say I’ve found a family at the Free Press.

My co-workers are more than just co-workers; we enjoy spending time with each other outside of the office. We get dinner, go to the movies, and take trips to the local bowling alley (let the record show I am a phenomenal bowler). 

I know the atmosphere at the Free Press is unique. I’ll likely never experience a work environment similar to what we have here again. I won’t be able to tease my boss about the mistakes I found in his articles that week (sorry, Cornue) or get stupidly overcompetitive at a bowling alley with my co-worker.

But this publication has taught me what I want out of my staff and work environment, and I can’t be more grateful for the lessons I’ve learned.

For some reason (well, probably the reasons I’ve mentioned before), I keep coming back to this publication. I feel drawn to it. When I’m not working for the Free Press, I feel odd, like something is missing from my schedule.

I can’t quite describe it, but I think that means I’m not ready to move on yet.

These were the driving factors in my decision to freelance for the Free Press this summer. I’ll continue editing and summarizing crime reports, but I’ll also start writing actual stories again. I’m beyond excited to continue working here.

To my fellow intern, Caitlin O’Brien, and fellow editor, Hannah Sander – it’s been such a pleasure, and I can’t wait to see what you do next. I’ll always be in your corner, cheering you on.

As I enter my senior year, I think about all the “lasts” I’ll experience. I think about how I’ll inevitably leave the Free Press. Honestly, it’s been hard to find the words for this column, because I know I won’t be saying goodbye just yet.

Thankfully, my story with the Free Press is not over just yet.