With Reveille’s annual fundraiser taking place this week, the Entertainment section has decided to reflect on how Reveille has had an eternal impact on each of our lives. Thanks to readers and donations, Reveille is able to enable these experiences across the team. If you’re interested in donating, click here.
Olivia Tomlinson
I joined Reveille as a freshman with no previous writing experience and was immediately amazed at the passion for storytelling and the amount of lifelong friends I met. The transition from digital teams to entertainment gave me experience and knowledge in many aspects of journalism.
This paper allowed me to attend the event and meet people I never thought possible. In 2023, I attended one of my favourite indie rock band concerts and interviewed that incredible guitarist. In 2024, I was able to meet Travis Scott and create social content. Later that year, I attended and reported on Taylor Swift’s “ERAS Tour.” Well, in just a few weeks, I have the opportunity to cover New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Fest.
Leveil not only gave me experience, but also gave me a community. Every day, I look forward to breaks between classes so I can jump into the newsroom and see who is around. Whether you need a place to study or someone to talk to, Leveil is always able to provide it.
Alice Williams
Three years ago I joined the Reveille Entertainment section as a relatively inexperienced journalist. I was given the opportunity to grow and become a stronger writer. Looking back, I can say that writing time for Reveille is essential to my personal growth. I am now a stronger communicator and don’t hesitate to hear my voice, so I can easily form connections wherever I go.
Reveille is important as she tweaks her skills to student journalists and allocates space to become part of something bigger than her. I graduated very quickly and missed writing this newspaper very much. My hope is that the public will be encouraged to see the influence of this newspaper and support them in every way they can.
Emily Blacker
I attended Leveil in the first semester of the freshman year, when the newsroom was under construction, so I had to trek to the PFT. During this time I was nervous about talking to anyone. Because my university papers were very intimidating compared to my small high school papers I used to work for. Six semesters later, I know now I had nothing to fear.
I have been able to meet so many interesting and unique people throughout my time at Leveil. As a news reporter, I was responsible for covering the topics of DEI and Title IX. I switched to entertainment in my second year. Over the past two years at Entertainment, I have been able to talk to so many bands, check out new restaurants and learn more about Baton Rouge off campus. My time as a reporter helped me to do more than I had dreamed of growing up as a journalist.
Leveil is nothing without the staff there. I have never met a more enthusiastic group of students who are focused on creating the most accurate news sources for LSU students. These people were not just my colleagues, but my friends. Whether he was Tre Allen walking with me until freshman year, even if he was on another day, Mackay Swier became my personal chiropractor in the newsroom, my best friend Morgan Vannosdor joins the staff and I will not exchange anything this experience.
Madison Martin
I was referred to Leveil by a friend and her mother who told me that the paper had hired me and that I needed to apply as soon as possible. They knew my love for creative writing and thought this would be a great opportunity. They proved right.
I felt support, encouragement and help along the way. It was a very exciting journey and fostered my dream of writing for something bigger than me. I hope this newspaper will have an impact on some of our readers’ day. Whether it’s through interesting stories or new food reviews that will inspire your next meal.
Ashlyn Bailio
I attended Reveille in my first semester of my second year. I worked as a reporter for a high school paper and wanted to participate in LSU student media. On the day of the interview, I entered the beloved Hodges Hall basement for the first time. We were greeted by the friendly face of our then editor-in-chief Claire Sullivan. 15 minutes later I was hired by Reveille’s first research reporting team.
After spending the semester researching, I transferred to the news section. Being a news reporter has not only learned more about our campus and our community, but also gave us the opportunity to meet some of the best people I have ever known. After two semesters covering the news, I decided to reach out to the entertainment report.
I’ve always loved writing and storytelling, but Reveille has given me more than that. It provided me with a community of people who share the same passion and drive. I’m always challenged both in my writing and in being the best version of myself. For me, Leveil is not just a student publication, but a small slice of my little campus that I really feel at home.
Laura Allen
As a first-year student, I was recently added to Reveille’s entertainment team, so I was amazed at how much of a huge impact Reveille had on me in such a short time. As a freshman, I struggled to find my place on campus and was too nervous to diverge. Not only did Reveille introduce others who share my passion for writing and storytelling, but he also got to meet many amazing and interesting people.
By pushing me out of my comfort zone, Leveil has grown with confidence and cemented my love for storytelling. When I first started working, I had very minimal journalism writing experience. Because of this, I definitely stumbled over the first few weeks, learning ropes. Despite my mistakes and endless flow of questions, my team was very patient and supportive, learning from my mistakes and improving my writing skills.
My editor also had great help and gave me invaluable advice when I was on my rut and answered all the questions I had. I couldn’t expect a more supportive and welcoming team. I’m also very grateful to be able to join Reveille’s entertainment section.
Lana Lawson
I have always loved writing voice-over stories in the community in fun and exciting ways since I was young. Writing for the entertainment section of Reveille gave me the opportunity to do just that. I’ve only just started writing this semester and it has been one of the greatest experiences in college so far.
The conversations I had through interviews with the people I met allowed me to speak more socially and comfortably with strangers as I don’t know where I could find your next story or potential angle.
I learned about Reveille through my incredible friend and opinion columnist Ava Francis, who showed me how wonderful it is to be part of student media. Slowly, but certainly, I give my writing the confidence that each story will continue to improve. The memories and connections I have made with the help of this newspaper are truly unforgettable. I can’t wait to see what Reveille’s future holds.
Lexiewear
From the moment I started at LSU, I wanted to be a part of Reveille. There was a class next to the newsroom, so every time I went to class I could hear the laughter and chatter of the staff at Leveil. The joy was always bursting out of the room and actually invited me. When I was finally hired at Leveil as a digital optimizer, I wanted to go my own way to become an entertainment reporter.
I was an entertainment reporter for the first semester and it was definitely one of the best and most fulfilling experiences of my life. There is no proper way to communicate how it feels to sit on a computer and play words and publish your efforts. I know that all of our reporters feel the same way about their articles.
Reveille is extremely important. Because none of that expression or enthusiasm is possible without it. One of my favorite moments every week is sitting in the newsroom for a weekly meeting of entertainment. I look forward to hearing and reading all of the articles we have published. Because I know that each and every one comes from someone else’s passion. Reveille truly believes at the heart of its dedication to written words and how important it has become today.
