Another semester, another 12 credit hours out of the way and one step closer to graduation. However, this semester looks to be quite different from the last.

Many things have changed on campus, some for the better, others…not so much. However, any change whether good or bad keeps life interesting and should not be neglected. Also, the responsibilities that come with the changes such as a new job, school, budget cuts, increased tuition, family and friends cannot be shirked.

As you can see from the above byline, this writer is the new Editor-in-Chief of The Lion’s Roar newspaper. It is a position that at first was desirable to me, but as more time was spent on the editorial staff serving as the Opinions Editor, it lost its initial luster. Often I saw the immense tasks and responsibilities that Don Aime, the former Editor-in-Chief, would have to perform on a weekly basis. Feeling overwhelmed by the mere thought, I had resolved that should it be offered to me during my time with The Lion’s Roar, I would not accept this job. But a few months ago, Don told me he was thinking about stepping down as editor.

I was shocked. I couldn’t imagine anyone else running the paper. But soon I began thinking about who would run the paper. The only senior editors on staff were Tara Bennett, our A&E editor and resident ‘Office Mama,’ and myself. I think that currently we are the only two on staff who could continue to keep our paper at the level it is and even improve it. So, I changed my resolve to take Don’s position to preserve the integrity of The Lion’s Roar and its staff. It turns out that I was right to do so and I am willing to accept the full responsibilities of the job with humility, enthusiasm and the same passion that has burned within me since I was a staff reporter. I have been presented with a mammoth responsibility, but I didn’t run away. I chose to embrace the fear because I love my school’s newspaper and someone had to run it.

I began to think that my life is the same exact way. To some extent, I believe everyone’s life is. Everyone knows that life is full of choices and that sometimes one must make a choice they may not like. However, we have to do what we have to do in order to care for the people and things we love. When faced with a responsibility there is the choice of fulfilling it or leaving it to take care of itself. Of course, fulfilling one’s responsibilities is preferable to letting them run wild. When that happens, your life is literally out of your hands and who wants that?

There is also the choice to consciously ignore one’s responsibilities completely, a decision that always breeds negative consequences. Every action, every choice, has its consequences no matter how big or small they may be.

For example, had I chosen to not take the position of Editor-in-Chief I would have a lot less stress in my life and more free time. But the paper would be left leaderless, possibly leading to a more chaotic and less productive creative process. This would undoubtedly lead to an inferior newspaper that would not adequately serve the student body. It’s amazing how much damage or change just saying ‘No’ or ‘I don’t feel like doing that right now’ can do.

I encourage my staff to ponder all of their choices regarding their work so that they may see all possible consequences before they act. This ensures that they do not stress themselves out and the paper benefits as well. I would ask our readers to do the same.

I challenge each of you to actually sit down and think about something you want or do not want to do and what will happen as a result. The options that appear and their outcomes will be astounding. By doing this you can steer yourself into a great semester and avoid disaster.

Don’t become a backseat driver. Take control of your life. Make the decisions that you truly wish to make and work with their outcomes to tailor your existence into a happy life. I wish everyone the best of luck this year and I thank you for your support of The Lion’s Roar newspaper.