It’s Howler recruitment season and for all the prospective journalists out there hoping to use the school newspaper as a surefire way to get into Harvard, here is a declassified interview with a previous Howler candidate. Use at your discretion. Hope to see you next semester!
The Howler: Why do you want to become a student journalist on The Northwood Howler?
Godda Tri-Hardere: Six score and 12 years ago, Oscar Wilde wisely said, “In America, the president reigns for four years, and journalism governs forever and ever.”
I have truly embraced Wilde’s more permanent outlook on journalism. I love the idea of being able to lead people forever.
TH: Is there a specific example of your leadership from Beginning Journalism?
GT: I emailed Ms. Alburger 15 times over summer break to ask if I really had to take Beginning Journalism before getting into Howler. Since I couldn’t get out of that, I am using it as an opportunity to plant the seeds of being permanently in charge.
For example, I constantly ask Ms. Alburger inquisitive questions about the course content and argue my scores with her, even on the formatives that don’t count in the gradebook. I will fight for my writing. I don’t take help because I don’t need it.
TH: What page would you like to write for?
GT: I’d like to write for every single page, including the captions, the advertisements and the staff box. That’s how dedicated I am. There’s only no I in team when there’s more than one person on it. In fact, Ms. Alburger can quit too—I’d be a great adviser for the paper as well as Editor-In-Chief, Photography Editor and Graphic Editor.
TH: Speaking of teams, Howler is like one big group project that we publish every month. How would you rate yourself in group work?
GT: My freshman college consultant told me that Harvard loves independent people who set themselves apart in a team setting.
I mean, we aren’t sending people to Harvard because they know how to work together in a workplace; we’re sending kids who are independent and inaccessible to anyone. That’s key to remember.
TH: What would you say is your biggest weakness?
GT: I care too much about the news. I care so much in fact, that I plan to BE the news. I’m also auditioning for NTV, applying to the yearbook and running for ASB. I might go for principal of the school too—that’s a thing that would make me stand out to Harvard, right?
TH: That seems like you’ll have a lot on your plate. Will you be available for deadline nights and to cover stories?
GT: Of course. I’m basically free all the time. I’m only in Science Olympiad, Speech and Debate, Philharmonic Orchestra, Mock Trial and varsity golf. I’m president of five clubs and section leader in both ensembles and drum major for the marching band.
I’m also the lead in the school musical and have an internship at the White House, all while training to go to the 2024 Paris Olympics for archery. This plus the seven AP self-study courses I’ll be taking this year will not impact my commitment to journalism at all. ChatGPT is the future of journalism anyway. Why not start now?
TH: Erm, thank you for coming in. We will…let you know.
*Following this interview, Tri-Hardere was not invited to join The Howler staff.*
