Reflections on student journalism

The best parts of this semester from a student journalism perspective.

Emily Coffey and Hannah Larson • December 4, 2022

There are things no one tells student journalists before they join the ranks of weary, sleep-deprived zombies fueled by caffeine and hounded by criticism. Everything is always due but nothing ever feels quite done. Pieces are submitted by deadline only to be shredded by editors and decimated by readers-turned-editors — who always know better than the writer how a piece should sound.

It is a strange obsession which drives writers, editors, photographers and designers to pour hours of work into print magazines that will inevitably end up at the bottom of a recycling bin, ripped apart yet again until the words on the page bleed into nothingness. In the beautiful madness that is student journalism there is error, but there is also truth; frustration, but also deep joy.

The Chimes’ student perspective brings its unique viewpoint, criticism, thoughtfulness and empathy, seeking to ignite meaningful conversations that spark more awareness in the student body. The Chimes is and has always been for Biolans, whether that be peers, faculty or administrators.

FALL SEMESTER IN REVIEW

In the Chimes digital edition, the news section showcased the Startup Competition kickoff, an event which honored student creativity and innovation. The sports page celebrated the Eagles’ athletic prowess in a variety of sports including on the basketball court, where sophomore guard Daniel Esparza and senior guard Alex Wright opened the men’s season with a decisive victory. The arts and entertainment section highlighted Theatre 21’s masterful comedy “Suite Surrender” as well as the symphonic winds concert, while the opinions page tackled timely topics including toxic femininity, quiet quitting and student debt relief.

The first edition of the Chimes’ print magazine took a critical look on the newest additions to Biola faculty and our next edition will take a deep dive into student doubt and excellence, highlighting the ways in which students are succeeding across campus.

Moving forward, the Chimes remains committed to pursuing excellence in student journalism, both in our online edition and print magazine. As always, thanks for reading and giving feedback and we look forward to welcoming you back when we resume publishing online next semester.

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About the Contributors

Emily Coffey, Managing Editor

Emily Coffey is a senior broadcast journalism major who loves John Mayer, Bernese Mountain Dogs and high fives. [email protected] I grew up in the beautiful state of Oregon, which provided a lot of opportunities for adventures like white water rafting, mountain biking, and hiking. During a three-month stint in Nepal with my family (I was homeschooled), I got to document the lives of 13 women who had undergone some form of human trafficking, medical neglect, or family abuse. From here, I found my passion for storytelling. Though I came to Biola as a music major, I started working at the Chimes my freshman year and quickly made the switch to broadcast journalism. My love of verbal and written communication, especially in storytelling, soon blossomed into a love of visual storytelling. Now, I work for the Chimes and am heavily involved in many other student media organizations. You can find me covering a story, interviewing students about their artwork, at the beach, or running.

Hannah Larson, Editor-in-Chief

Hannah Larson is a junior journalism major who loves novels, California redwoods and strawberry smoothies. I was born and raised in San Marcos, a small town in southern California where horses graze in fenced pastures and fields of sunflowers burst into bloom every spring. As much as I love SoCal, there is something special about taking a road trip to see the redwoods up north—you just can’t beat camping along the gorgeous Pacific coast. I started writing for my high school paper when I was a junior and discovered a passion for reporting local news and crafting feature pieces, which drove me to pursue journalism in college. I took a staff writer position with the Chimes news section my sophomore year at Biola and loved seeing an article come together from initial interviews to final edits. The following semester, I joined the team as a news editor and dove into a new world of tight deadlines and investigative research. I look forward to leading The Chimes this year as we move into a new season of print media.