This paper you hold in your hand is the culmination of 24 students’ tireless efforts; it is an ongoing group project; it is an ever-evolving alternative press; it is the product of 30 years of trial-and-error; it is the only society on campus that is 100 per cent run by students.
I joined the paper as a staff writer in the second year of my studies in 2019. I’m not an English or journalism or even communications student; I was just a broke girl looking for a hustle to help pay the bills, on top of being a full-time student with another part-time job. Over the years, my passion for researching and writing became refined and my side gig slowly became my main gig. Working in various positions with The Cascade not only helped me develop soft and hard employment skills and a massive writing portfolio, but it became a source of friendship and gave me a sense of purpose.
If you skim over the masthead, the thick, black column on the right side of page two that so often gets overlooked, you’ll see the list of names that helped write, design, illustrate, produce, and distribute this paper across mediums, platforms, and campuses. You could be one of those people. The Cascade’s purpose is more than amassing a conglomeration of words and pictures to publish every other week; our main purpose is giving students opportunities — the chance to earn a bit of extra cash, gain experience in the journalism and publishing industry, hone in their skills, build friendships outside of class, and see their name in print.
The Cascade is looking for talented people like you. If you’re reading this article, if you’re reading any articles at all in this issue, you’ve probably thought about writing for us and putting your own thoughts, opinions, stories and experiences into these pages. We can make that happen. Even if writing is not your thing, if you’re a business wizard, or a social media expert, or a video creator, a sound engineer, an archivist, we’ve got a position for you here.
In the words of the great Michael W. Scott, “You are creative. You are damn creative, each and every one of you. You are so much more creative than all of the other dry, boring morons that you work with.”
Let that creativity shine, work for us, write for us, contribute to us in some way; these pages need your voice. Keep an eye on our “Job Opportunities” page to look out for positions we’re hiring for in the fall. But even if you want to remain an anonymous reader, I’m so happy you’re here and that you’ve given your time and attention to reading this humble, yet brilliant, publication.
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
