Leaving My Print on Campus

Michelle Lojewski, photography editor

Of all the things that I have learned during my first two years in college, what I really am born to do with my life is the only one that nobody taught me.

I took two years off after graduating from high school to start college because I was simply not ready to go. After seeing other members of my family wasting lots of time and money, it was an easy choice to make. In that respect, I am indebted to South Plains College for being only 30 miles away from Lubbock and offering an affordable challenge.

Just like any other student, there were some classes, or simply just lectures, I really didn’t enjoy in the least, but I am glad SPC offers such a diverse group of people teaching my peers. I used to think that once people entered their early adult years, it was just short of impossible to cause them to think and react in new, more open-minded ways.

These fears were reinforced by the observation of a parent telling a freshly-graduated, college-bound, student to be leery of the professors at the college in Florida she was going to attend, because there was surely going to be lots of Democrats and liberals. Aside from making me nauseous, this comment caused me to be aware of the ability of the SPC professors to instill ideas into students’ thoughts that are contradictory to those they might be familiar and comfortable with. So to all the Democratic, Republican, liberal, brown, white, black, green, and purple professors (and everything in-between) who get up every morning to teach a bunch of kids, most of whom probably don’t even realize what’s going on in the world, I say a big thanks.

More specifically, I would like to thank those teachers whose classes I really had a hard time in, such as Mr. Norris’s government class, Allison Black’s design class, and the Chemistry course I took in summer school (the professor is no longer at SPC), because I learned a great deal and feel better about myself being able to say that I took those and maintained my GPA. I would have never thought in high school I would become one of those people who would be really angry with a class in which it was exceedingly easy for me to get an “A.”

I would not have made it this far if it were not for my advisor, Charlie Ehrenfeld. There has never been a teacher who I have seen more in my life than Charlie, but at least I’ve got a letter of recommendation when I need one. The journalism department, both print and broadcast, is like a family, mostly dysfunctional, but family all the same. The print students have Charlie to watch over them. Thanks Charlie, for being pushy, critical and expectant, but mostly for being honest, encouraging and available.

One personal note, to all those teachers whose classes I had first thing, sorry for being late every day, and I do mean every day. I am a very “A” type personality, but being a morning person has never been me.

Being on the paper staff for two years, I’ve gotten to know a lot of my peers. Some I really like, and some I wish well, but I hope I never have to work with again. I am pleased to be able to say that I got to be on Jacqui Streety’s paper staff my first two semesters as a photographer. Now a mother and Tech student, Jacqui remains one of my good friends.

My first experience with any member of the editorial staff was a quick trip to Odessa on a Friday night to shoot a Permian High School football game with the sports editor, Joe Gonzales. I’ve never witnessed a school that’s more passionate about their football team that Permian, even when they lose miserably, which they did. What an experience.

Most dear to my staff memories is the staff that I am leaving behind. Ray, a great friend and editor, I’m glad to have met you, worked with you, and look forward to seeing where we end up in relation to each other when we enter our career fields. We’ve had fun here, and I’m sure we can stir some stuff up in a few years.

Gio, Chris, and Anjuli, I’m glad we all ended up in San Antonio together. I’ll never forget the scene when I got back to my hotel room after the hockey game. Jacob, I hope that we can end up working together again in the future, because we make an awesome team. Jared, keep being loud, opinionated, and funny, and I’m sure that the “real” world will never be the same.

Specifically, to my photography staff, Monica, Des, Jon, and Heather, you guys have improved greatly during the past semester. Take pictures at every opportunity. That’s the only way learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to push people out of you way, and be stubborn about where you want to be to take pictures. Just remember, usually the spot where everybody else is taking pictures is not the right place to take pictures. Flow away form the crowd of cameras, and with a little practice you will be kicking some competing photog’s butt.

To all the students who will remain at SPC, all I can say is immerse yourself in everything possible. Being a few years older than most of the other students who I have met and had classes with during the past two and a half years, and having to be a very independent individual, I can honestly say that the world is a scary place.

If you don’t know how to fight back against it at the right times, then you will end up being a lemming for a corporation boss. Watch out for that cliff, and it can’t be any fun being the last one who has to be up so the rest can move on without knowing any better. Lemmings all look exactly the same anyway. What fun is that?