JACE JACOBS
Assistant Editor of The Scallion
This is the third time I’ve written this piece in an attempt to tell a meaningful story about myself and my time at Fredonia.
As someone who struggles immensely with clinical depression and anxiety, taking pride in myself and my achievements has always been difficult, and is something I am still learning to do.
Instead of looking at a wide view of my time at Fredonia, I want to focus on my time with The Leader, and how special writing for the paper has become to me.
Before I was the Assistant Editor of The Scallion (or “the horoscope guy”), I started writing pieces for Life & Arts. My first-ever piece for The Leader was a review of the Fredonia Dance Ensemble’s Fall 2021 chamber concert.
I got the idea to sign on to the Life & Arts section email list from my former suitemate (and current Life & Arts editor) EJ, and fell in love with journalistic writing, even though I had next to no idea of what I was doing.
After writing for Life & Arts, I realized that I had a somewhat unique perspective on the goings-on around campus as an out-and-proud transgender man.
I pitched an opinion piece about my experience of using the bathroom as someone who didn’t pass as cisgender at the time, and I am immensely proud of how well the piece was received both by the Leader staff and by the general public.
It’s still my favorite piece I’ve ever written, and I realized I loved sharing my perspective on issues.
After writing a few pieces for The Leader, I was given the title of “Staff Writer,” but I had to give up writing for The Leader for most of my junior year.
I was devastated, as I loved taking on stories or creating my own, but my mental health had reached an all-time low, and I needed to focus on myself, my schoolwork and the one extracurricular that I kept around.
I joined the acapella group Premium Blend that semester.
Although I hate that I gave up writing when I did, I’m still glad that I poured my energy into a group that has also significantly impacted who I have become as a person.
At the end of my junior year, my best friend and current Scallion Editor Megan Kidby reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in writing the horoscopes for the last edition of The Leader for the semester.
I was thrilled to get back to writing and try my hand at something new.
After my horoscopes went out, Megan encouraged me to apply to be their assistant editor, and I was thrilled at the idea. I was cautious at first as I had only written one piece in the satire section, but my friend recommending me for the position and believing in me meant everything to me.
Comedy is something that, unfortunately, runs in my family.
My dad worked as an amateur stand-up comic for years, and I’ve always been told I should follow in his footsteps (no thank you).
Although I won’t be getting up to crack jokes in front of a crowd any time soon, getting to write comedic pieces, unserious journalistic articles and horoscopes has proved to be a great artistic outlet and has helped me to develop a greater understanding of my sense of humor versus what is perceived well by the public, along with helping me to develop stronger writing skills.
Beyond gaining better writing and comedy skills, I’ve also gained an incredible group of friends I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Whether it’s just hanging out in the Leader office, going to trivia at EBC West or partying on the weekends, I always have fun with the other staff members of The Leader, and I am so beyond proud to call this group of wonderful people not just my colleagues, but my friends.
Although I’m devastated I didn’t get to know everyone sooner, I know I have made memories with them that will last a lifetime.
I’m so sad to be leaving this wonderful group of people, but I’m excited to see where the future takes everyone, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for me.
P.S. My friends at The Leader have been immortalized on my laptop so I can’t be too sad about leaving them behind. I made everyone in the Sims 4 for the bit, and now it’s my responsibility to take care of them forever. Yay!