Staff memories define college

One year ago, I wrote what I thought would be my last column for The Advocate.

Several veteran staff members, including two of the good friends who had joined with me in fall 2007, were transferring. Although I was not, I felt that my tenure on staff had also come to a close.

The semester of spring 2008 was the most enjoyable one I had experienced thus far, and I was doubtful it could be topped.

While confident that those who were returning would continue to push themselves and improve, I felt as though I had accomplished everything I'd wanted during my four semesters on staff and I was in shape to move on.

I had become one of two opinion editors, participated in regional and statewide writing competitions and attended conventions in Sacramento, Los Angeles and Kansas City, all memorable experiences.

Despite a half-hearted promise to fellow staffers that I would return the following spring, I was not even sure where I would be when that time came.

Last fall, when the first day of the semester arrived, it was the first time in two years that I was not sitting in one of Paul DeBolt's classes.

While it was a weight lifted off my shoulders not having to worry about meeting weekly deadlines and stress over what sources I still needed to contact, I realized there was now an unfilled void in my life.

As I checked out articles on the Web site and saw pictures from the latest "Advo-events," I felt as though I might have had unfinished business with the paper after all.

So when the time came to sign up for spring classes, I immediately signed up for my fifth semester of journalism.

But when I walked into the newsroom on the first day of the spring semester, I was in for somewhat of a shock. Not only was there a sea of new names to remember, some of the most familiar faces were missing.

Knowing it was best not to dwell on the past, I tried to throw myself into the present.

Easier said than done.

I discovered that after an eight-month hiatus, writing articles did not come to me as quickly as it had before.

As I stuttered through interviews, struggled to wake up the mornings after production nights and wrote stories regarding inevitable budget cuts, I wondered what had possessed me to even come back.

It took me a month or so to realize what I had been missing.

It was the satisfaction of seeing my work in print, and the feeling of content knowing that I would be spending at least three days out of the week with people I cared about.

Furthermore, had I not returned, I probably would not have met the people I met this semester, or had the opportunity to attend and cover my first student protest. 

One year later, I sit here knowing that this is to be the last column I write for this paper.

Despite the somewhat rocky adjustment, I ultimately do not regret my decision to return.

Being a part of The Advocate staff has definitely been the highlight of my community college career, and the memories are something I will always cherish.   

Lauren Shiraishi is an opinion editor of The Advocate. Contact her at lshiraishi.advocate@gmail.com