Jodie Thomson: Why do we need the Martlet?

As part of the Martlet 70 Fundraiser, we’ve asked former Martlet staff to answer an important question: why do we need the Martlet?

I first came to the Martlet at the urging of a friend. I had an interest in Graphic Design and had been making zines and posters in my spare time – and the idea of making a newspaper every week was both thrilling and terrifying.

In those production nights, I found like-minded souls that had the same passion for writing, art, politics and culture that I did. There… I found a community. And, in the job of production co-ordinator … I fell into a career. Ten years on, I am an Art Director North of 60 and every day I still wake up excited to create and make.

I’m so grateful and so, so thankful for every moment that I spent in the SUB basement just across the hall from CFUV – and it wasn’t just because of all the great music that came through those walls. It’s because of my fellow Martleteers.

Now that I’ve graduated, they’re still my community. They’re still my cheerleaders and I’m theirs. They are the most talented and creative folks that I have had the privilege to know. I’m in awe of all of them and everything that they have accomplished from running their own businesses, writing for National news organizations, and working for start up Tech companies.

There are times when I think back on it, and I believe that my life would have been fundamentally different if that friend hadn’t invited me to apply for ProCO … and how different my life would be if there were no Martlet or Martleteers.

I think that the Martlet deserves nine fundraiser galas and if I could be there… I would in a heartbeat. I hope that there are many more generations of Martleteers to come. And I know that they will be as thankful as I am for every second they spend making this paper come to life.