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Faith Ayoung, Newsday’s youngest photographic recruit who joined the organization on January 3, 2024, has reflected on her transformative journey from university graduate to seasoned photojournalist. Her career began during one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most significant state events—the funeral of former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday—which she describes as a ‘baptism of fire’ rather than a conventional introduction to journalism.

Under the mentorship of then-Chief Photographer Jeff K Mayers, Ayoung learned to navigate the complexities of major event coverage, from capturing crowd reactions and atmospheric details to documenting the core proceedings of a state funeral. The emotional and physical exhaustion of that first major assignment became a recurring theme throughout her tenure, with days spent ‘running, hopping, climbing, and brisk walking’ across Port of Spain to secure the perfect shot that could tell a thousand words.

Ayoung credits her growth not only to photographic development but also to acquiring writing skills with the support of colleagues including Debra Greaves, Carol Quash, Veela Mungal, Angelo Marcelle, Paula Lindo, and Melissa Doughty. She particularly acknowledges Melanie Waithe for enduring her constant queries and the broader team of sub-editors, reporters, and management who supported her journey.

The photographer expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside what she describes as ‘an amazing group of talented and naturally gifted individuals.’ She concluded with optimistic anticipation for her colleagues’ future endeavors, hoping they would continue to ‘dance and celebrate blessings’ in their next chapters, just as they did at their farewell gathering on January 27.

After nearly two decades of dedicated journalism, photojournalist Angelo Marcelle is reflecting on an extraordinary career built on immersive storytelling that transcended conventional reporting. Since 2005, Marcelle has pursued what he describes as both a calling and a responsibility—documenting the diverse human experiences that define his nation through firsthand participation rather than mere observation.

Marcelle’s methodology involved extraordinary immersion into marginalized communities. He spent nights homeless on the streets of Arima, not for dramatic effect but to genuinely comprehend the isolation, hunger, and resilience that characterize street life. His commitment extended to working as a sanitation laborer, performing grueling waste collection under intense heat to highlight the undervalued workers who maintain urban cleanliness without adequate recognition.

In one particularly powerful experiment, the journalist confined himself to a wheelchair to navigate Arima’s infrastructure, directly experiencing the physical barriers and accessibility challenges that disabled citizens confront daily. These experiential investigations fundamentally transformed Marcelle’s perspective, cultivating what he describes as empathy that transcends statistical reporting and headline journalism.

Throughout his career, Marcelle maintained that authentic journalism must honor human narratives, amplify silenced voices, and challenge systemic failures. His work represents a fusion of photojournalism and social advocacy, creating documentary evidence that both informs and inspires societal reflection. The journalist credits his readers with giving purpose to these stories through their engagement, discussion, and shared concern for the communities he documented.

Marcelle’s approach demonstrates how journalism can serve as a bridge between segregated social realities, fostering greater understanding through empathetic immersion and visual storytelling that respects both its subjects and audience.

After nearly three decades of dedicated service, veteran journalist Jada Loutoo bids farewell to Newsday as the newspaper prepares to print its final edition. Her reflective account traces a remarkable journey that began in June 1996 when she joined the newsroom as a teenager, following in the footsteps of her journalist father whose typewriter and editorial wisdom shaped her early aspirations.

Loutoo’s career spanned significant technological transformations, from typewriters to computers, yet she emphasizes that the core mission of storytelling remained constant. She credits several mentors for her professional development, including former Sunday Editor Mr. Clevon Raphael, the late Lennox Forde, Horace Monsegue, and the ‘incomparable’ Editor-in-Chief Therese Mills, who shared invaluable lessons from her own journalistic experience.

The newsroom culture at Newsday was characterized by deep familial bonds, with colleagues spending more time together than with their own families. Loutoo fondly recalls colleagues like Lara (her daughter’s godmother), Veela, Sam, Gyasi, and many others who formed this journalistic family, including those in the pagination department and administrative staff like Sasha.

One particularly poignant memory involves working through the September 11 terror attacks while heavily pregnant, producing stories from television coverage when wire services failed. She worked until the day before giving birth, demonstrating the extraordinary commitment that defined her career—though this dedication sometimes meant missing family events and birthdays, a sacrifice noted by her mother who remained her ‘rock.’

Loutoo’s roles evolved significantly over the years, from reporter to assignments editor managing newsgathering operations, and eventually to Court Editor covering legal affairs. Throughout these transitions, she maintained the newspaper’s weekend and holiday operations, collaborating across departments.

She reflects on the philosophical guidance from newsroom leaders, including Mr. Babb’s insistence that ‘there is always a story to tell’ and Mrs. Mills’ perspective that journalism served a purpose similar to religious texts: to inform, teach, and bear witness. This ethos fueled ambitious projects like Rave magazine for young readers and even principled stands such as boycotting media awards.

As Newsday concludes its publication, Loutoo acknowledges that the newspaper leaves behind more than printed pages—it leaves a legacy of trust, meaningful stories, and the countless individuals who made it a family rather than merely a workplace.