As a child, I was taught that no matter where you go, you’ll always learn something either about yourself or the environment around you. Attending the MediaFest25 convention and walking aroundWashington, D.C. taught me a lot about myself as a sports editor and the need to be more aware of what’s going on in the world.
Attending the Convention
Traveling to Washington, D.C. wasn’t new to me; I’ve visited several times with my family because my great-aunt lives there. But this trip wasn’t about family, it was about growth and making changes to our newspaper’s sports section, not just to make it more interesting, but to make it fuller and more engaging. Being the only sports editor and writer comes with a lot of pressure. I’m constantly figuring out what the story should be, tracking when seasons start, keeping up with game schedules, getting to know student-athletes and staff, monitoring transfers, the list goes on, and it’s a lot to juggle.
One event I attended was a critique session with the other editors, where a professional reviewed our newspaper and offered us feedback on what could be added or removed. A few things that stood out to me were including scores from previous games, schedules, injury updates, and even a few stories here and there of previous game highlights. It seems like simple add-ons, but in reality, a lot. What I realized is that in sports, so much can happen all at once. Even though this advice seemed straightforward, the challenge isn’t just in knowing what to add; it’s keeping up with the pace of it all, but I’m willing to take on that challenge.
Exploring Washington, D.C.
Exploring downtown Washington, D.C., was a great experience, even with the government shutdown. While many museums, libraries, and other government-owned buildings were closed, there were still plenty of landmarks and memorials worth seeing that made the trip enjoyable. I was surprised by how many restaurants and shops were within walking distance from the Hotel I was staying in. For example, around 7 a.m., I walked to the Lincoln Waffle Shop, and just a block before reaching the restaurant, I passed Ford Theatre and the house where President Lincoln died.
Even though the buildings, stores, and restaurants were beautiful, I couldn’t ignore how Washington D.C. is the city that is known for its national coverage and home to some of the most powerful decision makers in the country, and there is a lot of homelessness. As I walked through downtown, I saw countless individuals sleeping on the sidewalks or asking for change. The National Guard was present throughout the area because the president feels the city needs to be secured. However, from the looks of it, the town felt surprisingly calm and kind of quiet, aside from the usual traffic, occasional ambulance, and a few police sirens here and there.
A Moment of Reflection
When I visited Capitol Hill, the Lincoln Memorial, and the World War I memorial, I took a moment to reflect. Standing before the statue at the World War I memorial, I thought about my family coming from generations of proud veterans who believed in freedom, the right to vote, free speech, and access to education. Looking at Capitol Hill, I remembered casting my vote last November, hoping to elect leaders who would help America, not harm it. At the Lincoln Memorial, I stood in the exact spot where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, where he fought for equal rights and democracy.
As I walked through these historic places and thought about the headlines I see every day, I constantly found myself asking What is America? Is it still the land of the free and home of the brave, as the World War I memorial depicts? Will our government officials, whom we elected on Capitol Hill, finally decide what’s best for the American people to live better lives?
