Dear West Chester University,
Though the school year is already in full swing, I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone on campus! To the freshman and sophomores, who are stepping foot on West Chester’s grounds for the first time; to the juniors, who are getting their second taste of the in-person experience; and to the seniors, who are able to savor this final year’s worth of face-to-face moments on their tongue: you are here, you have made it. Welcome!
I am sure many can agree that this fall is proving to be an experience thus far. The initial shift of in-person learning to a completely online space was difficult enough on its own, and I imagine the reverse kind of adjustment is equally strange. That being said, I think it’s during these times that it is all the more important to remain optimistic about what the future holds, for even cloudy, uncertain skies have silver linings. Even still — don’t throw caution into the wind! Make sure to exercise care and awareness as we continue to face the year head on.
This past Saturday was the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. It has been 20 years since the lives of nearly 3,000 people were lost, and even 20 years later, people are still feeling the effects of the tragedy that struck our country. My heart goes out to the families and individuals whose own hearts ache during this time. To commemorate this event and honor the lives lost, in this week’s issue, the centerspread showcases West Chester University’s Commemoration of September 11th, where members of the West Chester community were invited to a gathering in front of Sykes Student Union to pay their respects.
This issue is not only the first one of the year, but it is the first physical paper since Spring 2019, and with a staff that is almost entirely new. I hope you all enjoy it, and I hope you all (as I am!) are looking forward to what’s to come.
Kindly,
Julien Padillo, Editor-in-Chief
Julien Margareth Padillo is a fourth-year Media & Culture major with minors in Digital Marketing and Digital Humanities & New Media. JP913571@wcupa.edu