As I start fulfilling my duties as The Flor-Ala’s online editor this year, I want to make it clear that I am not in this for the love of the job. I am not saying I have not enjoyed working for The Flor-Ala as a freshman and staff writer, because I do love it.

I am here not for me – I am here for you.

I have a passion for people. More importantly, I have a passion for the UNA community. The students, faculty, staff and alumni of UNA have made this past year the best of my life, and I want to give back to the people who have given me so much.

I got involved with The Flor-Ala because I had an interest in student media. I have found that my involvement with the paper has now gone way past that. I can explore my love of working with people in my community; I want others to realize that opportunities such as this can take them farther than they could ever imagine.

Every person has a story. As online editor, I want to ensure that events are told without prejudice and in a timely manner so stories UNA students need and want are delivered efficiently and with credibility.

Every person’s rights, beliefs, passions and problems deserve an outlet. All people are equal, and the news should reflect that. The rest of The Flor-Ala staff and I will investigate, report, print, post and tweet with the sole purpose of presenting the truth on the matters that affect the lives of UNA’s student body.

The Flor-Ala website and social media outlets should be seen as a reliable source for the facts. Whether reading breaking news or a schedule of social events, readers should be able to see our professionalism and drive for journalistic integrity. I want to ensure that this goal is met online as my coworkers strive for that goal in the print edition.

I encourage others who think they might want to get involved to contact us or come to the weekly meetings. We constantly need new input, ideas and help. Please let us know what you think about how we are doing. And if you have any feedback, ideas or events for the online medium, please contact me at anytime.

I look forward to serving as The Flor-Ala online editor this year. Through my small part of providing people with the story, I hope to make the story of our great campus and community a story which UNA students can be proud to call their own.