Since starting at The Reminder, I dreamed of one day having my own opinion column in the paper. Well, it looks like that day is finally here and I could not be more excited!
For those who don’t know me, let me start by introducing myself. My name is Lauren LeBel and I have been with The Reminder for a little over four years now. Through various roles, it has led to me my current position as managing editor of the Hampshire County Reminder, the Holyoke-Chicopee Herald and the Original Pennysaver. However, there were many steps to get here.
During my sophomore year at Western New England University, I was told I needed to decide on a concentration, as I was enrolled in communication, undecided.
I had taken all the introductory courses — public relations, health communication and so on — but nothing really piqued my interest. That was until I took an intro to journalism class with professor Brenda Garton-Sjoberg, who some of you may know as a former WWLP-TV22 anchor.
One day during the semester, Brenda brought in former Executive Editor Payton North as a guest lecturer.
Payton shared insight to the journalism profession, along with the work Reminder Publishing does on a daily basis.
While I always had a strong passion for writing, I never gave too much thought to the possibility of working in print journalism until that day.
I remember calling my mom after class and telling her, “I know what I want to do. I want to be a journalist.”
I think the part Payton shared about the news department tasting all the new foods before the Big E played a minor part in that decision, but so be it. I finally had a concentration: communication, journalism.
During my senior year, I was looking for a part-time job to have a little bit of spending money. Brenda informed me that The Reminder was looking to hire a freelance writer and suggested I apply. So, I did.
After being interviewed by current Executive Editor Chris Maza and sharing some articles I wrote in my journalism class, I was hired.
I wrote two to three articles each week until I graduated in May 2021. After graduation, I was hired full-time as the lead reporter for the Agawam/West Springfield Reminder.
In 2022, I helped launch the former Monson/Palmer Reminder, before moving to the Springfield Reminders and Chicopee Herald, serving as the lead reporter for those respective communities.
Last February I’d say was the biggest shift in my work, as I went from being a reporter to the editor of Go Local and special sections. And while I am still wearing that hat, I am now the managing editor of these three new — to me — editions.
While I’ve only been in my new role for less than two weeks, my team — consisting of Trent Levakis and Tyler Garnet — has been incredibly helpful and made this shift seamless. They have assisted as I continue to learn the ins and outs of each community and adapt to all the recent changes.
I am looking forward to continuing to learn and work with my direct team, along with our amazing news team, as we continue to provide local news to our dedicated readers each and every week.
I extend my greatest gratitude to Chris for trusting in me to take on this new role.
Great things are happening at The Reminder, and I am extremely lucky to be a small part of the larger team that makes it all happen.
