Brighter days

We’ve finally landed in that awkward phase of spring that’s kind of like a pre-teen growth spurt. Winter boots may feel heavy, but we haven’t quite grown into sandal weather yet. Maybe in our hearts we feel like our jackets should be unzipped and we can ditch the mittens of yesteryear, but every now and then we skid on the icy bottom of a puddle, or a patch of sidewalk turned slick by the chill of an office building’s long shadow. 

Students are ready to ditch the books and start going outside, but the responsibilities of exams call out and pull them back in for just a little longer. We’re on the brink of spring, and we can smell it, but we’re just not quite there yet. 

Looking towards the last three issues of this publication cycle (not including the one you’re reading right now), I can really see how much we’ve grown over the past seven months. We’ve hit a good stride, and it seems like this team is really coming into their own. We’re a learning paper, and there’s always a lot more to learn, but it’s also important to pause and take stock of what’s been gained so far this year. 

We’ve still got some new names coming in, and it’s exciting to read first and second pieces from volunteer contributors, to expand the voices in the paper. We’ve had some regular writers whose work is improving with every submission. And I really have to hand it to our staff – our editorial team, staff reporters, photographers, creative director and illustrator. Over the last few weeks I’ve been consistently impressed by the caliber of the work coming in to these recent issues, and am growing more and more excited for our capstone issue coming out on March 31 – The Urban Issue. 

There’s a lot of work that doesn’t get as much public acknowledgment as it deserves, the phone calls and organizing and accounting that keeps this paper running from inside a dark little office while the daylight extends its reach outside. Our business manager, Margaret Howison, should be commended for keeping The Uniter both stable and growing at a healthy pace. She’s gone the extra mile to organize some amazing Speakers Series events, and has been a great editorial support as well. 

It’s been a long winter full of hard work, so let’s give ourselves a little pat on the back and take a minute to look forward to the new possibilities that spring can bring. Even if there are still a few more weeks of studying, reading, working and not-being-outside ahead, let’s tuck those mittens into our pockets (just in case) and pop our heads out into the world: it’s getting pretty bright out there. 

– Anastasia Chipelski

Published in Volume 70, Number 23 of The Uniter (March 10, 2016)

Related Reads