Newspaper Farewell: Shelby Moquin

Newspaper+Farewell%3A+Shelby+Moquin

Shelby Moquin, Editor

When I was younger, when I grew up I wanted to be a dance teacher. I wanted to own my own dance studio and plan recitals and shows and have dancers go to competitions representing my studio name. Saying that now when I’m 17 sounds a little cheesy, but, you know, it was my dream. Dance was such an influential part of my life and I wanted to continue it. 

But as I entered middle school my focus shifted once again and I became more focused on my studies. Dance was still so important to me but I discovered writing. And I don’t mean the in class essay you have to write or the research paper final or the little assignments, I discovered writing. It just fit. Words didn’t just seem like words anymore. They painted stories and pictures and told the truth, they had some meaning behind them now. And believe me I just dove right in, I read as many books as I could, asked as many questions as I could, entered contests, wrote poetry and stories, and still I needed more. 

My mom just kept telling me, “wait until high school, they’ll have so many more options for you.” And they did, but also didn’t. I quickly made my way through most of CCAHS’s writing courses, and as much as I loved every minute of it, there was still something missing. 

I took journalism my freshman year second semester, and as soon as I sat down on the first day, I knew that this was the writing I was meant to do. As much as I loved a good science fiction novel or a Sylvia Plath poem, writing about the real world, real people and events just completely infatuated me. 

Not to mention journalism fit with my photography and videography skills. And what most people fail to realize about journalism is that it’s not just sitting down at a desk and writing a story and then publishing it. There are multiple fields within the field of journalism, your possibilities are quite endless. You can host a news show, take photos, capture b-reel, work across the globe as a correspondent. You don’t need to just be able to write. And that’s what I wanted to accomplish with the newspaper at CCA. 

The staff and advisors I have worked with over the years have been fantastic. Not only have they been patient as we have had to navigate our way through a pandemic, printing issues, and a shrinking staff, but they have been creative and adaptable. There has been so much growth over the past few years and I hope that continues after I leave. I know they will all do great things and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish. Might have to come back in a year or two and see how they’re doing 🙂

Not only have we produced dozens of print issues of The Anchor, but also designed a whole new website as well. Throughout my writing career I have been awarded many scholarships and honors such as the 2019 IHSPA Emerging Journalist Finalist, 2021 IHSPA Scholar, and 2021 Quill & Scroll Scholar as well as having an article published in The Gazette, a local newspaper in the community. 

I want to thank Mrs. Rice most of all for being the reason that I have grown so much over these past few years. I truly would not be who I am today without her being in my life. I am so glad that I got to know her as a person and that she not only supports me in my academics but my personal life as well. Thanks to her I was able to find the college I will attend next year as well. After graduation I will be attending Drake University in Des Moines to continue my journalism career while also continuing my love for dance by being a member of the Drake Dance Team. 

The Anchor, thank you for an amazing four years! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.