Everybody needs an editor

The absence of writing coach Dick Thien left big shoes to fill.
Karen Catone tried. She took on the role of copy editor extraordinaire and sternly instructed students that the word "intern" should not be used as a verb. As the Scholars introduced themselves Thursday night, a few came close to stumbling. But in the end, not one student used the word incorrectly. Dick would have been proud. We think the Scholars are ready to intern at their newspapers.

It wasn't shoes, but a jacket that 1994 alum Manny Lopez (in photo) contributed. Lopez came across a vintage "Dick Thien blue jacket" during scavenger shopping in Detroit. Lopez proudly donned the jacket to lead a panel discussion about story ideas. From his mouth came the words "neat," "cool" and "Mizzura." From the back of the rooftop conference center, coach Mary Ann Hogan was heard saying, "I thought Dick wasn't coming."

Last night as the Freedom Forum's Mary Kay Blake was surrounded by a gaggle of Scholars, we could hear her say, "Have you heard the one about the writing coach ..." To hear the end of that joke, we'll have to wait until Dick is back with us.