Behind the Byline: The Griffin’s favorite duos

By: Madison Howard, Features Editor

A newsroom is rarely as quiet or serious as the finished product might make it seem.

Between story assignments, editing, photos, meetings and deadlines, there is always something happening in The Griffin newsroom. Staff members move from one conversation to another, help each other with stories, make plans between assignments and, sometimes, spend more time with the same person than they probably realize.

Every newsroom has its own personalities. There are the people who always seem to be sitting together, the pairs who have developed their own inside jokes and the coworkers who somehow end up on the same stories over and over again. Some duos have known each other for years while others formed simply because they happened to work well together.

For The Griffin, those relationships are part of what makes the newsroom more than just a place to write and edit. Behind every article, photo and deadline are the people who make up the newspaper, and the relationships between them often become just as much a part of the newsroom as the work itself.

So, who are The Griffin’s favorite duos?

We are putting some of those connections in the spotlight with a ranking of nine of the favorite duos. From longtime friends to frequent collaborators and unexpected combinations, these duos each represent a different part of the personalities that make up The Griffin.

9. Andrew and Katie

Starting off the list are Andrew and Katie, otherwise known as the newsroom’s “bosses.” As editor–in–chief and managing editor, the two work closely together to keep The Griffin moving forward. From handling meetings with each section to discussing topics and plans for the newspaper’s future, Andrew and Katie spend plenty of time working side by side.

8. Madison and Jase

Coming in at No. 8 is Madison and Jase. The two first met through Little Theatre toward the end of last semester, eventually becoming part of the same Griffin community. Their pairing is another example of how connections made outside of the newsroom can eventually find their way into it.

7. Madison and Sienna

Taking the No. 7 spot is Madison and Sienna. The two share positions on several executive boards, giving them plenty of opportunities to learn, work and figure things out together. Between different organizations and responsibilities, their partnership has grown through working alongside each other and navigating their various roles.

6. Samantha and Cooper

At No. 6 is Samantha and Cooper, whose connection goes back before The Griffin. The two attended the same high school and suffered through physics together, giving them a history that predates their time in the newsroom. Now, they have brought that connection with them to Canisius and The Griffin.

5. Katie and Helena

Moving into the top half of the ranking is Katie and Helena at No. 5. They are able to work together professionally while laughing a lot and making lots of memories in the office. 

4. Hollie and Kira

Taking the No. 4 spot is Hollie and Kira. The two work together on Kira’s book, giving them a project that extends beyond their work with The Griffin. Their collaboration has earned them a spot among the paper’s favorite pairings.

3. Javo and Cooper

Javo and Cooper claim the No. 3 spot as The Griffin’s News duo. Javo serves as news editor while Cooper is assistant news editor, meaning the two work closely together on the News section, but their relationship goes beyond their positions. The two are constantly bothering each other, giving their partnership more of a brotherly dynamic than a typical editor–and–assistant relationship. Between working together and finding new ways to annoy each other, Javo and Cooper have become one of the newsroom’s most recognizable duos.

2. Katie and Lily

Coming in at No. 2 is Katie and Lily. If you spend enough time around The Griffin, you can probably spot the two tugging around their small baby: a collection of notes that somehow seems to follow them wherever they go. Their pairing has become one of the more recognizable sights around the newsroom, earning them the second spot on the list.

1. Javo and Madison

And finally, taking the No. 1 spot is Javo and Madison. The two were among the first people each other met when they came to Canisius, and have been a familiar pair ever since. They can almost always be found together around The Griffin with Madison frequently finding new ways to bully Javo. Their dynamic has made them an easy choice for the top spot.

From shared deadlines to Blue and Gold Cafe runs, the favorite duo ranking highlights the relationships that exist behind The Griffin’s stories. These connections might not appear in the byline of an article or in the credits of a photograph, but they are still part of what makes the newsroom what it is.

A newspaper is ultimately a group effort. Stories may have one writer, photos may have one photographer and an article may have one editor listed at the top, but the process behind each piece involves an entire community of people. Conversations, collaborations, jokes, last–minute questions and quick trips for food all happen alongside the actual work. That is what makes these duos worth highlighting.

The Griffin is built around journalism, but it is also built around the people doing that journalism. Some relationships come from years of friendship, some from working together and others simply from spending enough time in the same newsroom. No matter how they formed, each pairing adds something different to the culture of The Griffin.

Behind every byline is a person. And behind those people are the relationships that make the newsroom feel like a community.