Ruby Go, the new editor of The Washtenaw Voice. Paula Farmer | Washtenaw Voice
By Ruby Go
Editor
I really wanted this first sentence to grab your attention, to sweep you off your feet, but I’m not that creative. My dry sense of humor will have to do.
In case you missed the byline, my name is Ruby Go, and I will be the editor of the Voice for this semester (and this semester only, because I will be graduating in May). I’m 17 years old, and I attend Washtenaw Technical Middle College, the high school on WCC’s campus that allows me to dual enroll in college classes. I know, you’re probably thinking, “17? Get this kid out of here!” But don’t fret, I know what I’m doing….I think.
I’m a journalism major, and I was a staff writer for the 2021-22 Voice team, where I was named Student Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Community College Press Association. And this past summer, I was an apprentice for the Detroit Free Press, where I received training from professional journalists and had a story published. Through these experiences, I have learned a great deal about working with other people, perhaps even more than I’ve learned about reporting. I have always been socially awkward, and up until I started working with the Voice, I always found it hard to work with others. But last year, I learned that other people aren’t so bad.
Aside from my writing experience, I have recently gotten into photography as well. I spent last semester at the Voice as a contributing photographer, which opened my eyes to the importance of visual storytelling and the challenges that come with it. In the blink of an eye—or, in this case, the press of a button—the moment you want to capture can vanish and never return. It can be very frustrating, but even so, it is just as fun and rewarding as it is maddening. In fact, I enjoy photography so much that I’m very strongly leaning towards pursuing a career in it, rather than one in writing, which is what I originally intended.
I have loved to write ever since I was little. It all started when I was about 5 years old, when everyone in my stories either had to be a prince or a princess. When I was in first grade, I graduated from fairytales and won a school-wide writing competition for a short essay about gratitude, which was published in a national anthology. Today, I don’t write as much as I used to, but when I do, I find it very cathartic. While I may not pursue a career in writing, it will always be near and dear to my heart.
When I’m not busy with classes and the Voice, I spend most of my free time like a stereotypical teenager: napping, watching shows, listening to music—you get the picture. Listening to music is one of my favorite pastimes. I love to blast it at full volume through my headphones and pretend I’m actually cool. Lately, I really like the album “Substance” by Joy Division.
Being the editor of the Voice is a big responsibility, probably the biggest I’ve ever been trusted with. Although I’m only going to be here for this semester, I’m very excited about it, and it makes me that much more motivated to seize this opportunity.
If you’d like to reach out to me, please feel free to contact me at rgo@wccnet.edu or visit me in the newsroom at SC 109. I’d love to hear from you!
