With the Reveille’s annual fundraiser taking place this week, the entertainment section decided to reflect on how the Reveille has forever impacted each of our lives. Thanks to our readers and donations, the Reveille is able to make these experiences possible for our entire team. If you are interested in donating, please click here.

Olivia Tomlinson

I joined the Reveille as a freshman with no prior writing experience and was quickly surprised by my passion for storytelling and the amount of lifelong friends I would meet. Moving from the digital team to entertainment has given me experience and knowledge in different aspects of journalism.

This paper has allowed me to take part in events and meet people I never thought would be possible. In 2023 I attended one of my favorite indie rock band’s concerts and interviewed its incredible guitarist. In 2024 I was able to meet and make social content with Travis Scott. Later that year I attended and reported on Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour.” Now, in just a few weeks, I will have the opportunity to cover the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest.

The Reveille has not only given me experience, but a community. Every day I look forward to the breaks in between my classes so I can pop into the newsroom to see who is around. Whether I need a place to study or someone to talk to, the Reveille is always able to provide that.

Aris Williams

I joined the Reveille entertainment section three years ago as a relatively inexperienced journalist. I was given a chance to grow and become a stronger writer. Looking back, I can say that my time writing for the Reveille has been integral to my personal growth. I am now a stronger communicator, less hesitant about making my voice heard and find it easy to form connections wherever I go.

The Reveille is important because it allots student journalists a space to fine-tune their skills and be a part of something greater than themselves. I am graduating soon and will miss writing for this newspaper very much. My hope is that the general public sees the impact of this newspaper and becomes inspired to support it in any way they can.

Emily Bracher

I joined the Reveille the first semester of my freshman year when the newsroom was under construction, so I would have to trek to the PFT. During this time, I was nervous to talk to anyone, because a college paper seemed so intimidating compared to the smaller high school paper I worked at before. Six semesters later, I now know that there was nothing to fear.

I have been able to meet so many interesting and unique people throughout my time at the Reveille. As a news reporter, I was responsible for covering DEI and Title IX topics, which exposed me to beat reporting and connected me to a lot of valuable sources. I switched to entertainment my sophomore year, which introduced me to my passion: music reporting. Over the past two years in entertainment, I have been able to talk to so many bands, check out new restaurants and learn more about Baton Rouge, on and outside of campus. My time as a reporter has helped aid my growth as a journalist more than I could have ever dreamed of.

The Reveille isn’t anything without the staff who work there. I have never met a more dedicated group of students who are focused on producing the most accurate source of news for LSU students. These people not only were my coworkers, but my friends. Whether it was Tre Allen walking with me to my meeting freshman year even though his was on a separate day, Mackay Suire becoming my personal chiropractor in the newsroom or my best friend Morgan Vannosdall joining the staff, I would not trade this experience for anything.

Madison Martin

I was introduced to the Reveille by my friend and her mom who mentioned that the paper was hiring and how I needed to apply as soon as possible. They knew my love for creative writing and thought this would be a great opportunity. It turns out that they were right.

I have felt nothing but support, encouragement and help along the way. It has been such an exciting journey and has fostered my dream of writing for something bigger than myself. I hope this newspaper influences a part of its readers day, whether that be through an interesting story or a new food review that will inspire your next meal.

Ashlynn Baillio

I joined the Reveille in the first semester of my sophomore year. I had worked as a reporter for my high school paper and knew I wanted to get involved with student media at LSU. On the day of my interview, I walked into the beloved Hodges Hall basement for the first time, my hands shaking, I was so nervous. I was greeted by the friendly face of the then editor-in-chief, Claire Sullivan. Fifteen minutes later, I was hired onto the Reveille’s very first investigative reporting team.

After spending a semester in investigations, I transferred to the news section. Being a news reporter gave me the chance not only to learn more about our campus and community but the opportunity to meet some of the best people I’ve ever known. After two semesters covering news, I decided to try my hand at entertainment reporting, which has opened up so many opportunities to explore new passions and interests.

I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, but the Reveille has given me so much more than that. It’s provided me with a community of people who share the same passions and drive. I’m constantly being challenged, both in my writing and in becoming the best version of myself. To me, the Reveille isn’t just a student publication, it’s my little slice of campus where I truly feel at home.

Laura Allen

As a first-year student and recent addition to the Reveille’s entertainment team, I was surprised by how greatly the Reveille impacted me in such a short time. As a freshman, I struggled to find my place on campus and was too nervous to branch out. Not only has the Reveille introduced me to peers who share my passion for writing and storytelling, but it has also allowed me to meet many amazing and interesting people, while partaking in events I never would have otherwise.

By pushing me out of my comfort zone, the Reveille had helped me grow in my confidence and solidified my love for storytelling. When I first started the job, I had very minimal journalistic writing experience. Because of this, I definitely stumbled through my first few weeks while learning the ropes. Despite my mistakes and endless stream of questions, my team was so patient and supportive, helping me learn from my mistakes and improve my writing skills.

My editor was also a huge help, giving me invaluable advice when I was in a rut and answered every single question I had. I never could have hoped for a more supportive and welcoming team, and I am so grateful to be a part of the Reveille’s entertainment section.

Lana Lawson

I have loved writing stories that uplifted voices in the community in a fun and exciting way ever since I was young. Writing for the entertainment section at the Reveille has given me the opportunity to do just that. I’ve only started writing this semester, and it’s been one of the greatest experiences in college so far.

The people that I’ve met and the conversations I have had through interviews allowed me to become more social and comfortable speaking with strangers, because you never know where you may find your next story or potential angle.

I found out about the Reveille through my amazing friend and opinion columnist Ava Francis who showed me how great it is to be a part of student media. Slowly but surely, I see my writing evolve and each story gives me more confidence to keep improving. The memories and connections that I’ve made so far with the help of this newspaper are truly unforgettable. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Reveille.

Lexie Ware

From the moment I started at LSU, I knew I wanted to be a part of the Reveille. I had a class next to the newsroom, so every time I walked to class, I could hear the Reveille staff’s laughter and chatter. Joy was always bursting from the room, practically beckoning me inside. When I finally was hired at the Reveille as a digital optimizer, I longed to work my way up to being an entertainment reporter, so I could finally share the stories I was writing in my free time.

I have only been an entertainment reporter for one semester, but it has undoubtedly been one of the best and most fulfilling experiences of my life. There is no way to properly convey how it feels to sit at the computer and let my words flow, then to have that hard work published. I know that all of our reporters feel the same about their articles.

The Reveille is so important, because none of that expression or enthusiasm would be possible without it. One of my favorite moments of each week is sitting down in the newsroom for entertainment’s weekly meeting. I look forward to hearing about and reading every article we put out, because I know each and every one came from someone’s passion. I truly believe that the Reveille is, at its core, about our dedication to the written word and how important that has become today.