Grace:
I was fortunate to attend a high school that allowed students to lead and publish an annual science journal containing classmates’ research articles and papers. It was my introduction to the world of publishing, characterized as a mixture of editing manuscripts, creating and laying out designs and participating in an endless number of discussions revolving around tiny details on the cover page. I knew that I wanted to continue being part of that process in college, so I applied to be one of the Science & Technology Editors for The News-Letter. While the technical act of editing carried over from high school, my time at The News-Letter has also given me the opportunity to learn the stories and motivations behind the work through interviewing countless people.
As the process of looking into sources and writing is fueled by time and energy, it results in and cyclically requires interest. The News-Letter is a constant reminder that the world exists beyond what I am exposed to as I trek along the same routes to my classes and commitments. Being part of The News-Letter has been a valuable opportunity to extend curiosity towards the many aspects of campus, from the buildings and construction to the history and the more abstract trajectory of the University.
However, neither the nature of a newspaper nor its purpose is solely defined by the activity of its editorial staff. One of the major responsibilities of The News-Letter is to be a platform for student voices, allowing them to share their thoughts or pursue their interests on a multitude of topics, hence the wide range of sections (further explained in the next article). An archive, a record, a representation — no matter how it's spun, The News-Letter’s identity is rooted in the students.
Write for us. We want to hear what you have to say.
Grace Oh is a junior from McLean, Va. studying Molecular and Cellular Biology and Writing Seminars. She is a co-Editor-in-Chief for The News-Letter.
Myra:
While I wish I could eloquently describe my ambitions for joining The News-Letter, I must admit: I simply thought journalism was cool. In 2022, I watched the movie “She Said” on a flight to Los Angeles, and I adored the bravery and grit of the two journalists who exposed sexual abuse accounts against producer Harvey Weinstein. Since then, I’ve adored reading the countless investigations conducted by The New York Times, feeling grief for victims, anger toward systems that failed them and intrigue by the thought of becoming a real-life journalist exposing such realities. I wanted to uncover the truth, I wanted to give people a voice and I thought journalism at The News-Letter was the coolest way to make that happen.
And cool… it most definitely was! I joined The News-Letter team during the fall semester of my freshman year as a News & Features editor. That spring (early 2025), I excitedly covered stories about Hopkins reacting to Trump’s executive orders, including professors’ accounts of removing diversity, equity and inclusion policies and the University administration's responses to limited research funding. While the exhilaration never faded, I quickly realized that reporting on Hopkins affairs entails tackling a web of complex administrative relations with students and even local neighbors; even simple stories required dozens of interviews and hours of research.
I can write endlessly about how joining The News-Letter has strengthened my confidence and communication abilities, but I believe the attention should go towards a far more powerful outcome: a new sense of presence. Reporting on Hopkins news, especially the serious, sometimes even uncomfortable stories, requires special sensitivity in ensuring an article includes all perspectives fairly and completely. Being a part of student journalism forced me to keep my ears and eyes open for information, even on my daily bathroom break during a three-hour lecture in Gilman Hall. More importantly, these stories have connected me to my peers, graduate students, faculty members and even Baltimore residents, as I sat with them, learning about their identities, stories and passions. Frankly, contributing to The News-Letter reminded me of the role I play in my community, to learn and to contribute.
Even if our News section isn’t your cup of tea, our other sections foster the same level of presence. An Opinions article requires critical thought and a desire to communicate with the wider student body, while a Voices article necessitates self-reflection and vulnerability with one’s role at Hopkins. Our Leisure section encourages exploration of Baltimore, while our Arts section spotlights local creativity – requiring the section’s contributors to open their eyes and indulge their curiosity. With any article in any section, you have the opportunity to learn about the Hopkins environment and contribute to communal knowledge through a written, inherently collaborative platform. You are forced to pay attention and to bear a substantive voice.
The News-Letter intentionally welcomes people from all different academic and personal backgrounds because our paper seeks to sustain such an awareness within our contributors and our readers. So, when reading this, whether such a precise opportunity entices you or you simply think a newspaper sounds cool, remember that The News-Letter is here, waiting for your presence.
Myra Saeed is a junior from Queens, N.Y. studying Chemistry and History. She is a co-Editor-in-Chief for The News-Letter.
