My name is CJ Eilers and I am happy to say I am the brand-spanking new News Editor for The News Review. I was born in Des Moines and raised in Ankeny, where I attended high school. Unsure of what to do after graduation, I enrolled at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). It was on my very first day of college when an old high school friend came up to me during lunch and asked me, “Hey man, you have any interest in working for the school newspaper?” I jumped right into it, and discovered just how important, as well as fun, newspapers are. We certainly didn’t have a lot of student readership, but I knew I was making an impact on campus and my future.
After graduating from DMACC with an Associates degree, I continued my adventure at Iowa State University to further realize my dream; write for Rolling Stone magazine. I started as a campus music reporter for the Iowa State Daily and left the school as a general assignment reporter AND the proud Managing Editor for the campus men’s magazine, SIR. Along the way I enjoyed fencing club, attending concerts/campus events every week, interning for the local record label in Ames, devouring giant 20 inch slices of pizza at Jeff’s Pizza, and rooting hard for my Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium and Hilton Coliseum. I’m aware this is Hawkeye country, but as my favorite Iowa State athlete, Georges Niang, said so perfectly, “We all know it’s a Cyclone State!”
Before I get countless angry emails about my fierce devotion to the Cardinal Red and Gold, I’d also like to say I am truly excited to start my journalism career here in Sigourney. Thank you to everyone who’s welcomed me to town so far, and I look forward to meeting more of you fine folks in there near future.