Journalistic endeavours

If you wandered around campus during election week, you may have seen the numerous campaign posters with the bold question, “Have you heard the news?”. This catchy slogan was the brainchild of Haydn Watters, who ran unopposed for journalism representative on the King’s Students’ Union (KSU) council. Watters is studying journalism and considering pursuing a combined honours in either political science or history. Though he describes himself as “not a dancing kind of guy,” he’s already hosted Big Night and acted in a dance drama with the King’s Theatrical Society. We sat down with him to get the scoop on what brought him to KSU council.
The Watch: What are you planning on doing this year, beginning with the first council meeting?
Haydn Watters: I have set up a meeting with Kelly Toughill, the Director of the School of Journalism. We will go through my platform and her ideas for the new year and see how we can implement them. One thing I would like to start off with right away is an e-publication called the J-School Journal. I want to let journalism students know what they have access to and what is going on in the school. I would also like to implement a J-school social in the coming weeks, so that journalism students can get to know each other.
W: What do you think is the number one issue affecting Journalism/King’s students?
HW: Communication, definitely. I am going to be really big on communication. I have been here a year and I still don’t know all the journalism students. I want them to be able to get to know who their peers are – not just in their year but in every year and program offered in the Journalism school.
W: What is the most memorable thing you’ve done?
HW: I am in a band called the Boo Radley Project, and we conducted a 24 hour concert walk. We walked 35 km from Guelph, Ontario to Elora starting at 7 a.m. on July 21st this summer and it was called “Walking for a Porpoise”. We did it to raise money for the Wild Dolphin Foundation in Hawaii. They thought it was a sham at first, but we actually raised over $500 in one day. We played on a few rooftops; it was the highlight of my summer!
W: What are your career aspirations?
HW: I would love to do something in media. I’ve really enjoyed working in radio, which I did last year. We started a radio station out of a dorm room in Middle Bay (97.3 The Bay). That got me very interested in radio and I continued my show back home; I pre-record it and it plays every Friday night. I would love to work at CBC. That’s my dream job.
W: Do you have a family history in politics?
HW: My dad has actually been on both municipal and county council in Elora, Ontario since I was born, so I have always had an interest in politics. I knew I would get into it someday. I guess I have here at King’s!