I’ll never forget the first time I walked into our newsroom. As I looked around, I saw the smiles of people willing to give voice to the truth.
Since my sophomore year, The Beacon has been the home of my writing. Before I applied, I had read some Beacon articles and seen Beacon reporters tabling outside the library occasionally.
Looking back on it now, I realize that I applied on a whim. I was unsure of myself and unsure of my writing. But now, after three years of being a sports reporter at The Beacon, I can confidently say it was the home I never knew I needed.
The Beacon has been the voice of students on campus since 1935, and it’s been my voice for the past three years. When I joined, I wasn’t sure where I’d fit in or what I had to say. I just knew that I wanted to be part of something that mattered, and the search for truth seemed like the best place to start. I never imagined that I would grow into the writer and reporter that I am today.
I learned many skills during my time at The Beacon that I will take with me throughout my life. For this, I am forever grateful. Being a sports reporter taught me how to ask better questions, pay attention to details, and find stories that might be overlooked. I learned how to write with clarity and urgency, as well as how to be unbiased and impartial. It wasn’t always easy. There were tough stories, dropped stories, challenging interviews and difficult edits. However, each of those moments made me a better writer, student and seeker of the truth.
Perhaps the most important thing I learned is not only to tell the reader what happened but to capture how it felt. In my view, this is the essence of storytelling, a skill all writers strive to be the best at.
Learning these skills didn’t happen overnight. It came from patient editors, encouraging co-workers and many rewrites that challenged me to work harder and think deeper.
There’s a unique bond that forms in the newsroom. You spend hours together trying to write the best story possible — from staying up late editing with other staff members, laughing together, debating word choices or corresponding through late-night messages on Slack. This is when The Beacon starts to feel less like a job and more like a community.
To my fellow Beacon reporters, current and past, thank you for being some of the most hardworking and inspiring people that I have ever met. You are the face of The Beacon, and every day you show what it looks like to care deeply about your work and each other. Thank you for being the heart of The Beacon and showing that journalism is just as collaborative and joyful as it is important and impactful.
To my current and past editors, thank you for pushing me to be the best I could be. You recognized my potential and gave me a place to flourish. Your edits and advice always make my story stronger. Thank you for listening to me, for giving me a voice and for helping me grow. You are the soul of The Beacon, and your mentorship has meant so much to me.
Lastly, to the athletes, coaches, students and professors who took the time to speak with me, thank you for trusting me to tell your stories. They fill me with excitement, joy and interest. You have taught me that being a reporter is not about the results or scores but the people. Your stories of perseverance, skill, dedication and teamwork gave me a purpose every time I put my pen to the page.
My graduation is right around the corner, and while it is time for me to move on from UP, The Beacon will always hold a special place in my heart, just as it does for so many others. I leave more confident in my writing and more committed to telling the stories that matter.
Thank you for everything, Beacon.
Aidan Hyde
Aidan Hyde is a sports reporter for the Beacon. He can be reached at hydea25@up.edu.
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