By Stentor Staff
To celebrate the Senior staff’s accomplishments, it’s tradition for Stentor staff to speak with graduating members of the editorial board and ask about their time on the paper and their plans for the future. This year, Sergio Bardesi-Texocotitla is graduating; please find his responses printed below.
Stentor: When did you join the Stentor and why did you decide to join the staff?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: I joined the Stentor in February 2021. I transferred from Harper Community College during the pandemic and I stayed remote the entire year, so I felt disconnected from Lake Forest College. I also learned that I really like to write. I decided that I wanted to write about the experiences of other transfer students, so I sent an email to Emma Overton ’21 and she gave me the opportunity to write for the Stentor. I enjoyed learning about campus through that method, so I decided to continue.
Stentor: What was your favorite memory/story/article from your time on staff?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: For the Stentor, I’ll miss writing for the Chive. While the Chive doesn’t deliver pressing news, I have heard from various students around campus about how my articles made them laugh! As a writer, their compliments really encouraged me. I’m glad I’ve made at least a few people laugh through these difficult times.
Stentor: What will you miss most about the Stentor and Lake Forest College?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: In August of 2021, I began serving as the editor for the arts and entertainment and Chive sections. No writers showed interest in either section for a few months, so I felt overjoyed when emails began appearing from interested writers. Working with students on their work has been a tremendous opportunity, and I’m really excited to see how they progress in the future.
Stentor: What are your plans after graduation?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: I’ll celebrate not having to study full-time! I love studying, but demanding classes, clubs, and commuting took their toll on me. This June, I’ll be visiting family in Mexico and in July, I’ll head north to begin a position as a quality manager at Epic Systems in Verona, Wisconsin. I’m excited for this opportunity, but I will really miss writing and editing for the Stentor.
Stentor: What have you learned from your time on staff?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: Open communication, honesty, and integrity are valuable! This becomes especially true when working with sources, where our brief interactions may become deeply confidential. So, their information must be treated with the previous three values. Similarly, writers must be respected as such in order to make their lives as easy as possible and our interactions honest and transparent.
Stentor: What did you enjoy most about your time on staff?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: As a staff writer, I enjoyed being “skeptically nosy.” Gossip is naturally intriguing, but interviewing and learning about those in our community while working to tell their stories in a truthful, objective manner was a great experience.
Stentor: Is there something you have learned during your time at Lake Forest College that you want to share with others at the College?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: The paw that our college uses on logos isn’t even a bear paw! I learned this from Vice President for Career Advancement and Athletics Jackie Slaats when I wrote a story on Boomer the Bear.
Stentor: Is there anything you want to share with the next generation of Stentor staff and/or readers?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: For the staff, I’d encourage you to take stories that seem difficult, challenging, or different from your preferred stories. Those challenges may feel stressful in the moment, but it’s a learning opportunity. You will grow both as a journalist and as a person. My own challenge was taking the editor position. It was difficult and stressful, but I made mistakes (more than I’d like to admit) and learned a lot.
For readers, I encourage you to email the writer if you enjoyed their story or felt like they missed something important. Writers have a limited worldview and understanding of Lake Forest College, and while we are obligated to explore and learn more, getting tips or compliments from readers creates a shared community on campus.
Stentor: Any other comments/stories/insights you want to share with Stentor readers?
Bardesi-Texocotitla: Time goes by so fast! It’s terrifying, so I keep reminding myself of my goals. To quote the legendary intellectual, Squidward Tentacles in SpongeBob SquarePants, Season 1, Episode 14: “Future… future… future… future—Thanks!”
