If you had told me five months into my first job post-graduation that I would be designing my first newspaper, I would have explained how crazy you sounded! Yet, here we are, Newton County. You are holding/reading/(hopefully) enjoying the first newspaper that I have designed. It’s been a crazy week, but I have enjoyed every minute of it.
I walked into the office Monday morning slightly unsure of how life at The Covington News would be without Jackie, our former editor and publisher. Not only did I lose an editor, but she was also my mentor. She opened a door for me after graduation, giving me a chance to show the real world who I was as a journalist, and I will forever be thankful for that. You are missed, Jackie, but I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Throughout this week, I had people asking if I was stressed out, worried or all of the above — and I’ll admit: there were moments where I was. I had no idea how this week would go, being the only one in the editorial department — but I knew the endgame: this weekend’s edition of the paper will be Georgia’s best, no matter what it took.
It will tell the story of Newton County — all the ups and downs — and it will be done by 3 p.m. on Friday, aka our deadline.
Let me tell you what it took to get this newspaper in the hands of Newton County’s finest: lots of coffee, little sleep and a team of amazing people who care about this community. Here are the people who helped make this paper happen: Amanda Ellington, Cynthia Blackshear-Warren, Michael Pope, Lee Ann Avery and Amberlee Malcom-Trochesset.
Newton County, your story is in good hands.
I can’t end this piece without shining light on one more person who helped make this weekend’s edition of the newspaper come to life. Even though he was 30 miles down the road at The Walton Tribune, David Clemons was my interim editor, and I managed not to drive him crazy this week (or if I did, he never told me). He played a big part in the newspaper this week, and I was blessed to have him and his team.
I’m grateful every day to tell the story of Newton County, and I know this is where I’m meant to be.
Caitlin Jett is the staff writer for The Covington News. Her email is cjett@covnews.com. Twitter: @caitie_jett