Photo: Provided by Cameron Adams
Cameron Adams
Editor-In-Chief
Saying goodbye is always the most difficult part of being introduced to something new. So I won’t be saying goodbye. I will be saying hello to a new era of The Blue and White Flash.
As I reflect on my two years at Jackson State University, on paper it seems like I have been here since I was a freshman.
Coming from a community college to a university was by far one of the most difficult transitions I have ever made in my life. Although I finished two years of my college journey, I felt as if I was starting all over again.
I was stepping foot into unfamiliar territory. A place that was close to home, with me being a Mississippi native, but very new to me.
With all of my prerequisite classes out of the way, I was forced to hit the ground running at Jackson State. I had to find a way to get some real work experience under my belt, but I had no idea where to start.
That was until I met Ms. Tatum.
In my junior year, Ms. Tatum visited my class looking for a Sports section editor to join The Blue and White Flash. As an aspiring sports journalist, this opportunity seemed too good to be true.
I immediately followed up with her and the rest was history.
Within that same year, I was promoted from a Sports Editor, running a four to five-writer section, to the Editor-In-Chief. I immediately started having several doubts about my promotion, but not the doubts you think.
I did not doubt if I would be able to fulfill the role that Ms. Tatum appointed me to. I doubted if it would take a few weeks or a few months before I completely turned the organization around.
My priority was to appoint new members who I believed would help my vision come to life. I was able to nearly triple the number of members from when we started.
Though some members decided to pursue other interests, the ones that stuck with the organization deserve all the credit for the achievements The Flash has and will accomplish in the future.
If it wasn’t for the members who sacrificed their time and dedicated it to the Flash, everything I have done would mean nothing.
Whether it’s delivering papers to different locations or turning in a story, I want to personally thank everyone who contributed during my time as Editor-In-Chief.
Because of The Flash, I have gained experiences that I would’ve never imagined. From interviewing Charlamagne Tha God to being featured on Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The College Tour’ to working with ESPN and Channel 16 WAPT, none of this would have been possible without The Blue and White Flash on my resume.
To future members, these opportunities are in the palms of your hands. As long as you are a member of The Flash and fully take advantage of the platform you are given, you will unlock new opportunities that others dream about.
To current members, I know that you are in good hands with the editors who are in place for next year. I truly thank you for everything that you have done for me. Your contributions to this organization have never gone unnoticed.
To my current editors, the keys to The Blue and White Flash are yours. I have full confidence that you will not only meet the expectations of Ms. Tatum but also blow them out of the water. You were selected to lead this organization for a reason, so show Jackson State University students that they have a voice on this campus.
To the future Editor-In-Chief, I know you will do everything in your power to ensure that the Flash continues to be the voice of the voiceless. I know that you are destined for your definition of greatness. This is your opportunity to find it and define it.
To Ms. Tatum and Doc, thank you. You have seen me at my lowest and still saw someone who was destined to make it to the top. Without you, I would still be the scared transfer student struggling to find a purpose on this campus.
And finally, Jackson State University, I would not have done this any other way. I will never forget the culture, life, and authenticity of this campus. No matter who I become in the future, one thing is for certain: I will always be a Jackson State Tiger.
Signing out, CTA.
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