There is a new editor of the Pathfinder. I know that you have all heard that line before, but I am excited to be here to usher in a new era of reporting in the Seeley-Swan area. To those who do not know me, I am Griffen Smith, a young 22-year-old journalist.
I grew up west of Austin, Texas, yet I know the western Montana area well. My mother's side of the family has lived in the area for generations - including the Turner family, one of the founders of the Tamaracks Resort.
I met some of you when I worked as the Pathfinder intern in summer 2020. I covered a lot of pandemic era problems then, but none so memorable as the Seeley Lake boat parade. I remember the races, new businesses and occasional hiking story that I was privileged to write.
My time in Seeley was amazing, and it drove me to keep working in journalism. I have since reported for the Billings Gazette and the Missoulian - earning bylines in most local Montana papers.
At the University of Montana, I worked as the editor for our student paper, the Montana Kaimin, which took home the honors of best student paper in the northwest this spring. I also edited the Native News Honors Project, which sends reporters to every Montana tribe for in-depth stories.
Two weeks ago, I received the honor of going to the National Writing Championship in San Francisco, California, where I won third place in the entire country for news writing out of more than 600 chosen writers from accredited journalism schools.
Needless to say I am passionate and driven for journalism, and it is safe to say you, the reader, are too.
I know that the Pathfinder is an important community tool. Without it, who tells the stories all around us? We live in a world where social media tries to take a chunk of that from papers, but there has always been something special about a good front page headline, ready to inform.
My goal at the Pathfinder is twofold: expand your print coverage of local government, people and breaking news, while making strides in improving the paper's online and social media presence. Some stories might run online first if they are urgent.
There will be growing pains, as I am working to find a place to live in the community. For now, I am commuting from Missoula - with a camping trip or two keeping me here longer.
So far the hospitality here has been immense, and I am ready to start digging into stories that matter to you. You should still expect your local government, events and investigations in each week's edition.
To make this transition as smooth as possible, please try and give me a week's notice on future events or interviews. Feel free to set up a time to meet with me. I might not be able to get everyone's request, but I will try my hardest.
To get hold of me, email pathfinder@seeleylake.com
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