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Smith named UA Crimson White opinions editor
Last week Atmore native, Ralph L. “Tray” Smith, III was selected as opinions editor of the Crimson White, The University of Alabama campus newspaper. Published four times per week and with a population of over 28,000 students, plus availability in the Tuscaloosa area and a large online readership of alumni, parents and friends, the CW’s circulation is larger than that of papers in many Alabama towns. Smith joined the staff in January when he began penning an opinion column for the paper. He begins his new position as CW opinions editor next week while still only a freshman. During a telephone interview last weekend, Smith said he will continue to serve as a (weekly) columnist but will now select 10 other student columnists to work on his staff.
Smith further stated that he is “genuinely thrilled and thankful that the Crimson White administration” had given him the opportunity. He added, “It is my hope that every student will be able to ‘buy into’ the CW opinions page. I want it to be a place where students can find their voice while also having their opinions challenged. I want the page to represent every social and political group and interest on our very diverse campus … being CW opinion editor is the perfect job for me especially in this very important election year.”
Well-known for his political activism in this part of the state, Smith interned as a teenager with Governor Bob Riley in Montgomery one summer. His junior year of high school, he served one semester in Washington, D.C. as a page for U.S. Congressman Jo Bonner. Two years ago he was one of 15 high school students in the nation selected to meet with 15 Iraqi peers in Amman, Jordan in a teen peace summit.
On April 25 Smith will travel to Birmingham to cover Karl Rove’s speech to the Alabama GOP. Smith will also serve as a member of the Crimson White editorial board. Smith said the CW plans to interview all the state’s gubernatorial candidates.
After graduating as Student Government Association president and salutatorian of Escambia County High School Class of 2009, Smith began classes at The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa last July. An economics major in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business, he is pursuing a bachelor of science, studying in the Honors College.
A dean’s list student, Smith has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society for freshmen who have earned grade point averages of 3.5 or higher during the first semester at Alabama or equivalent cumulative averages at the end of the freshman year. He has also been inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity.
An Eagle Scout who was named Atmore’s 2008 Citizen of the Year, Smith also penned a political column for the Atmore Advance during his high school years and served as editor-in-chief of the EsCoHi at ECHS.
[Atmore native Bonnie Bartel Latino is a former freelance columnist for Stars and Stripes newspaper in Europe. She won the Military Writers Society of America 2009 People’s Choice Award.
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