The Chillicothe Times-Bulletin found its new associate editor in a recent Illinois State University graduate, Chelsea Peck.
Beginning Monday, Peck, 22, assumed the responsibilities of covering Chillicothe and Dunlap news, as well as Dunlap sports.
Before graduation from ISU, Peck claimed the position of news and design editor at the student-run newspaper, the Daily Vidette.
In this position she held the duties of managing a group of eight to 10 reporters, editing the news sections’ stories and designing the sections’ pages.
“I’m extremely excited to begin my job at the Chillicothe Times-Bulletin. I know my experience at the Vidette will be of great value to me here,” Peck said. “I learned so much from everyone at school, and I know I’ll learn even more here.”
A graduate of Metamora Township High School, Peck was unsure of what she wanted
to major in when visiting colleges her senior year.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I sat down and realized what I was good at: writing,” she said. “Once I entered ISU I applied for the journalism major without even taking a class. I knew I would be good with talking to people and writing.”
After taking two years of communication and writing classes, Peck felt she was prepared enough to apply at the school newspaper.
“When I got the call saying I was hired at the Vidette I was jumping out of my seat, literally. I was so excited,” she said.
Peck worked as a news staff writer for a semester before being promoted to news and design editor where she stayed for a year and a half.
“The reporting and editing jobs were much different, especially with a daily newspaper. I loved both of the jobs, and sometimes as an editor, I missed the amount of stories I was able to write as a reporter,” Peck said. “I’m excited to be able to both write and edit in my position at the Times-Bulletin.”
While she hasn’t had much free time since graduation on May 7, Peck enjoys catching up with friends, reading and watching movies.
“I’ve only been a college graduate for a week, so I’ve spent most of my time with friends and family. I’m looking forward to catching up on reading and all the movies I missed while at school,” she said.
Peck also commented on how thankful she is for the opportunity.
“With how the economy has been, I was so surprised to find a job in my field so quickly.
I am so thankful for the support from my family and for this opportunity,” she said.
Peck succeeds Karen Danner as associate editor. Danner retired recently.
