I found myself feeling more than a little out of place stepping into my first session at the Associate Collegiate Press event on Oct. 21. Clad in ripped black jeans, earrings and a goofy sweater, I found myself amid suit coats, freshly pressed ties and clean haircuts. Running a hand through my own shaggy hair and scruffy beard, I took a deep sigh and deeper seat.

Members of the Observer newspaper were invited to Washington D.C. to represent Elgin Community College at the ACP seminars. A myriad of topics ranging from social media integration to a video conference with Edward Snowden encompassed the weekend.

Sitting through the lectures gave me a chance to “experience” some of my fellow journalist peers, most of whom adopted familiar archetypal classroom roles. We had the overly excited girl that raised her hand every chance she got, but she wasn’t the only one. The frantic note takers, giggling duos, backroom miscreants and drowsy head-bobbers were all present, too. Yet the straight back, brown nose, self-righteous vibe was hard to shake.

No insult to the talent or passion of any of the students present, but journalism, categorically, does little to inspire the image I saw at this conference.

Chewed pencils, coffee stained shirts, dirt, dust and grime caked pants…that’s what I see when I picture a journalist. Devoted to hard truth and fact more so than appearances; Dedicated to presenting that truth unabashed by social standards. Despite this, a pretentious air resonated around many of the people present.

Of course, this stands as opinion and of course many exceptions could also be seen. It is disappointing, nonetheless, that the potential next generation of news and media in our nation lacks the destitute gall and grit that was championed in the legends of the craft that is journalism.