Coming home, or at least sort of
There's something to be said about coming home. In my case, I'm not sure if I ever really left.
About a month ago, the folks at Hoch Publishing Co. came to me with an offer I simply couldn't refuse. And here I am — again, well sort of.
For most of my life, I've struggled to find what I like to call "occupational direction."
I've bounced around from television stations to newspapers, from painter to desk clerk. And amazingly, I've ended up here.
The ironic aspect of my recent appointment to news editor is that for the first time in my life, I thought I had figured out what I was going to do with the rest of my life. And for right now, this is it.
In case you were wondering, here's a little information about myself:
I'm currently a full-time student at Tabor College, finishing up my second degree — this time, in Secondary English Education. About two years ago, my wife and I sat down and had a "pow-wow" about my so-called "occupational direction," and we agreed that I would finish my teaching degree, while I worked at the newspaper.
After I was informed that I wouldn't have a job at the paper as a full time student, I accepted an assistant coaching position with the Tabor basketball team and with the Tabor public relations office.
I worked with the basketball program until the end of the season and accepted the sports editor position at the Marion County Record in April. The rest is history.
My wife and I are expecting our first "Clark," and if it doesn't frighten the world, it certainly frightens me.
But what doesn't frighten me is my job here at the Hillsboro Star-Journal. For years I have dreamed about having the opportunity to run a newspaper. I wouldn't have imagined I'd get the opportunity to be the editor of my home newspaper, and I'm extremely excited.
I'd like to take this opportunity to encourage you to stop by and talk with me. We're working on a lot of exciting things, and we're anxious for your input.
Help make the Star-Journal part of your home — I have.
— ERIC CLARK
