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Field trip to New York City

April 06, 2009

It was an average Tuesday afternoon in the month of January when I climbed a flight of stairs and walked into The Sandspur office. Our Editor-in-Chief, Justin Braun (affectionately known as JB), was leaning back carelessly in an orange office chair when he saw me walk through the door. Spinning around, he called out, “Brittany, we are going to New York!”

Two months later at the rear of our spring break, we were sitting on the airport floor waiting for our plane to arrive. The Sandspur, formally recognized as The oldest college Newspaper in Florida, was in need of some fresh inspiration and revitalized spark. Determined to forsake our status of being a “good” newspaper, we were determined to be a “great” newspaper. Therefore, we registered for the annual College Media Advisers conference held in New York City in order to gain a fresh perspective on the newspaper business. After filling out numerous requests for funding, we were able to secure sponsorships from the Office of Multicultural Affairs, QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan), and Fox Funds and were thereby able to have our trip fully funded by Rollins College. Our traveling party consisted of four editorial staff members: JB (Editor-in-Chief), Kelly (Managing Editor), Nick (Arts & Entertainments Editor), me (Life & Times Editor) as well as our staff adviser, Stephanie Duesing.

We spent our days in conference sessions learning how to utilize our time in the office more effectively, manage staff members, obtain good quotes and credible sources, diversify the content of our paper, and appeal to a wider audience. All in all, we were given tips on how to produce a quality paper that more people would want to read. These sessions allowed us to better assess what The Sandspur is missing and how we can obtain it.

Do we need more staff writers? Is the software that we are currently using adequate? Are we producing a positive work environment for our staff members? Are we publishing articles that are relevant to our readers? Debating questions like these over group lunches and coffee breaks allowed us to focus our inspiration into concrete plans with measurable outcomes. It was a group consensus that upon returning to Rollins in sunny Winter Park, Florida we would revamp our paper into a visually appealing and entertaining paper that everyone would want to read.

From R-Journal 3

Photo: Graduating staff members, Kelly and JB pose for a picture before heading to a CMA reception at an MTV-owned studio.

Even with all the progress we were making, we couldn’t help but want to enjoy all that the Big Apple had to offer. While walking along Times Square one afternoon, we happened upon a crowd of people who were gathered admiringly around the Naked Cowboy. Not wanting to miss our chance, we pushed through the crowd, forcing our way right next to him until we were all set and ready for a picture with one of the most infamous figures in New York City.

Another afternoon, we spent walking leisurely around MOMA (the Museum of Modern Art.) Although I am not a big fan of modern art, I couldn’t help but be enraptured by the variety of art that was present in one building. Truth be told, it was rather overwhelming.

From R-Journal 3

However, “overwhelming” is an understatement when describing the Indian restaurant at which we ate one night. After a 15-minute cab ride to the North Village, we arrived at the doorstep of an old building. There were three men of various ages and mannerisms standing at the doors of the building. All at once, they began hollering at us, beckoning us to come in. Unsure as to why they were calling out to us, I looked inquiringly to JB, who then looked to Stephanie. She pointed us to the stairs on the right and said, “We are going in there.” Single-filed, we made our way to the top of the stairs as one man smiled eagerly at us and the other two shook their head disappointingly. Suddenly, I understood. They were competing for us! The three men were from three separate establishments and were each attempting to win us as customers. I hardly had time to ponder this realization as we walked into our chosen restaurant.

From R-Journal 3

Photo: The ceiling of the restaurant was covered with glowing chili peppers, hanging beach balls and dangling toys.

There were lights flashing all around. Light-up chili peppers and random toys dangled from the ceiling. Ethnic techno music blared from all corners of the rectangle room as a sweet aroma of curry and pan permeated the restaurant. We made our way through the crowded room to a table that was crammed in the corner by a wide mirror. Once there, our waiter served us plates and plates of the most delicious Indian cuisine I had ever eaten, despite it being the only genuine Indian cuisine I had ever eaten.

From R-Journal 3

Photo: After a long day of exploring, our NYC posse gathered for a picture while waiting for our train to arrive.

All in all, my first trip to New York City was one never to be forgotten. It was filled with adventures such as posing for pictures with the Naked Cowboy and experiences such as eating at an entertaining Indian restaurant in the North Village. It also allowed my fellow Sandspur staff members and me to focus on improving our paper as well as create lasting memories with each other.

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