This story reminded me that education reporting--an area I've become increasingly drawn to this year--is not just uplifting features and teacher's strikes. It involves A LOT of heavy lifting: sorting through legal texts and deciphering budgets are only the beginning. However scary, the story taught me to get over my inferiority complex when it comes to fancy legal jargon. I've learned that it pays to look stupid initially in interviews. Asking a bureaucrat, or for that matter a doctor or professor, to put something in regular person terms is an essential part of familiarizing yourself with a topic. If you don't speak the language, don't even try to "fake it until you make it."
Monday, May 14, 2012
School District Budgets Rejected
The voting public shut down budgets in three South Jersey school districts last month--all three of which did not exceed the state's 2 percent cap on tax-levy increases. It was my job to summarize the results of the election (which included the budgets on the ballot) in my story. It was a daunting task, filled with scary tax jargon. Yet, with the help of my editors and repeated clarification from my sources, I think it turned out OK.
Tiny Fishermen
I always love a cutesy kid story. And the cute factor is compounded with the addition of animals and jolly older folks.
In one of my last assignments for the Inquirer, I was asked to cover "Mr. Gary's Fishing Derby," a spring break tradition in the Mount Laurel school district. Mr. Gary is a beloved school bus driver for the Mount Laurel School's kindergartners and organizes a fishing contest each year at local park's pond. A fishing enthusiast, Mr. Gary decorates his school bus with aquatic paraphernalia and preaches the benefits of fishing to his young passengers throughout the school year.
I got to go to the "contest," talk to Mr. Gary, children, parents and officials from the school district. At risk of sounding old, it was nice to see a big group of very young children enjoying the great outdoors. I'm comforted to know people still do that.
In one of my last assignments for the Inquirer, I was asked to cover "Mr. Gary's Fishing Derby," a spring break tradition in the Mount Laurel school district. Mr. Gary is a beloved school bus driver for the Mount Laurel School's kindergartners and organizes a fishing contest each year at local park's pond. A fishing enthusiast, Mr. Gary decorates his school bus with aquatic paraphernalia and preaches the benefits of fishing to his young passengers throughout the school year.
I got to go to the "contest," talk to Mr. Gary, children, parents and officials from the school district. At risk of sounding old, it was nice to see a big group of very young children enjoying the great outdoors. I'm comforted to know people still do that.
Sometimes I get to go to the park!
Halfway through my internship, I was assigned to preview a public hearing on a $23 million revitalization project for the Cooper River Park. The park is home to a significant rowing community, whose regattas are an "economic boon" for local business. Proponents of the project allege the spending project will attract more prestigious races to the park, i.e., rich people that will spend money at local restaurants and hotels.
My editor asked for a brief preview, which I could have easily accomplished without picking up the phone or moving from my desk. But that's boring. It was a nice day, so I took a drive over to the park and interviewed a few picnickers who frequent the park. Not surprisingly, most people I talked to thought the project was not a great way to spend taxpayer money in such a tight budget climate. I ended up getting some really colorful quotes from one guy, who equated the project to spending money on a new flower bed when you can't pay the mortgage. That was a nice gift :)
On its face, the story was pretty lame, but it reinforced to me that it ALWAYS pays to go to the scene and get mixed up in the story.
My editor asked for a brief preview, which I could have easily accomplished without picking up the phone or moving from my desk. But that's boring. It was a nice day, so I took a drive over to the park and interviewed a few picnickers who frequent the park. Not surprisingly, most people I talked to thought the project was not a great way to spend taxpayer money in such a tight budget climate. I ended up getting some really colorful quotes from one guy, who equated the project to spending money on a new flower bed when you can't pay the mortgage. That was a nice gift :)
On its face, the story was pretty lame, but it reinforced to me that it ALWAYS pays to go to the scene and get mixed up in the story.
Uncle's War Letters Reach Across Generation
Perhaps my favorite story this semester was a feature on a Rutgers student who is co-authoring a book with his history professor. The book, tentatively titled "Everyman in Vietnam," chronicles the story of Jimmy Gilch--the student's uncle who was killed in the war--and the concurrent cultural and political history. For author Joe Gilch, the book is a summation of a lifelong obsession with his uncle, a man he knew only through pictures, family stories and the 80 letters he wrote home to New Jersey while in Vietnam.
I began my reporting by traveling to the student's house in Glendora, just 20 minutes from the Cherry Hill newsroom. When I arrived at Gilch's home, a modest but dignified single story house, he and his mother greeted me at the door. I sat right down in their cheerfully decorated kitchen, which had been tidied for company, and began the interview. It was very fluid and conversational; it didn't hurt that Gilch and I have similar interests and are at the same place in life.
I couldn't make it up to New Brunswick to speak with Michael Adas, the professor who is writing the historical context of the book, so I interviewed him over the phone. The interview went well, and provided another layer to the story: the transformation of Gilch, the student, throughout the writing process.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story. I had to do some heavy lifting to weave in multiple components (the historical context, the writing process, the student's personal story), but it turned out to be a nice news feature.
I began my reporting by traveling to the student's house in Glendora, just 20 minutes from the Cherry Hill newsroom. When I arrived at Gilch's home, a modest but dignified single story house, he and his mother greeted me at the door. I sat right down in their cheerfully decorated kitchen, which had been tidied for company, and began the interview. It was very fluid and conversational; it didn't hurt that Gilch and I have similar interests and are at the same place in life.
I couldn't make it up to New Brunswick to speak with Michael Adas, the professor who is writing the historical context of the book, so I interviewed him over the phone. The interview went well, and provided another layer to the story: the transformation of Gilch, the student, throughout the writing process.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story. I had to do some heavy lifting to weave in multiple components (the historical context, the writing process, the student's personal story), but it turned out to be a nice news feature.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
A bit of nostalgia..
For a recent story, I got to revisit a childhood favorite: American Girl dolls. Each of historically-themed dolls comes with its own book series and "my-size" clothing, and each year the Camden Ronald McDonald house partners with the doll company to put on a fashion show fundraiser.
One of the original models from the fundraiser's inception 16 years ago is Sammi-Jo Danze, the reigning Miss New Jersey United States. I visited the Ronald McDonald House in downtown Camden to interview Danze, talk to the people at the House and meet a current model and her parents. It was fun to see how excited the younger "model"was to walk down runway dressed in her Julie doll outfit.
One of the original models from the fundraiser's inception 16 years ago is Sammi-Jo Danze, the reigning Miss New Jersey United States. I visited the Ronald McDonald House in downtown Camden to interview Danze, talk to the people at the House and meet a current model and her parents. It was fun to see how excited the younger "model"was to walk down runway dressed in her Julie doll outfit.
Black History in the Barbershop
At the close of Black History Month, I covered a storytelling/sing-a-long event at RC's Tonsorial Barbershop in downtown Camden. It was the kind of event story I live for. The kind where, but for my notepad and pen, I would be so utterly out of place.
Civil War re-enactors, members of the Buffalo Soldier motorcycle team and dozens from the community crowded in the small corner barbershop to sing freedom hymns and share stories about their history. The highlight was speaking with RC himself, a very wise man with an incredible beard. He told me about growing up in Camden during the Civil Rights movement and raising his children in the same neighborhood.
I'm enjoying getting to know Camden as something other than "that place over the bridge where I'm not to get lost."
Civil War re-enactors, members of the Buffalo Soldier motorcycle team and dozens from the community crowded in the small corner barbershop to sing freedom hymns and share stories about their history. The highlight was speaking with RC himself, a very wise man with an incredible beard. He told me about growing up in Camden during the Civil Rights movement and raising his children in the same neighborhood.
I'm enjoying getting to know Camden as something other than "that place over the bridge where I'm not to get lost."
A Camden Legend
Midway through my internship, I was assigned to help out with a article memorializing Melvin "Randy" Primas, former Camden mayor and a pillar of the community. I was given a list of names to call to get a better picture of who he was, what he stood for, what his legacy will be. It's always tough talking to people about death--let alone complete strangers--but everyone I talked to was willing to share their memories of Primas with me.
I got to work with a pretty senior reporter on this story, which was neat. Though S. Jersey is a bit slower, I'm liking how the smaller newsroom makes approaching other reporters less scary. In the vast newsroom at 400 N. Broad, I'd have to allot 30-45 seconds of deep, yogic breathing before I said hi to anyone.
I got to work with a pretty senior reporter on this story, which was neat. Though S. Jersey is a bit slower, I'm liking how the smaller newsroom makes approaching other reporters less scary. In the vast newsroom at 400 N. Broad, I'd have to allot 30-45 seconds of deep, yogic breathing before I said hi to anyone.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A funny thing happened on the way to the scene...
In my second week at the South Jersey Bureau I covered a tragic school bus accident in Burlington county that led to the death of an 11-year-old girl and the severe injuries of her twin sister and another young boy on the bus. Because New Jersey is one of the few states that requires seat belts in its school buses, the National Transportation Safety Board was called in to investigate the cause of the accident.
The school supposedly held grief counseling sessions for students, parents and community members the morning after the accident. It was my job to hang outside the school and interview those exiting the meetings, hoping to find out details about the young girl's personality, interests, etc. After driving 45 minutes to the school, I arrived to an empty parking lot.
But it paid to make the trip. The NTSB was giving a press conference later that afternoon and the local police station, and I was expected to report back to newsroom on what was said.
I stuck around the school for 15 minutes for the off chance that someone might emerge from the building. That never happened, but I did spot several news trucks circling the sleepy country town and proceeded to follow one headed toward the scene of the accident: a flashing yellow light intersection between two sleepy country roads. As I was headed there, ANOTHER accident occurred. It was a minor fender bender, but still a little unsettling.
This second accident created a huge backup at the intersection, so I couldn't pull over to talk to the police officers at the intersection for an additional 15 minutes. When I was finally able to park on the shoulder, I got out and spoke to a few police officers at the scene. Sure enough, the cops had no knowledge of the previous day's accident or the one that took place less than an hour before.
Just shy of defeated, I walked back to my car, put the key in the ignition....and it didn't start. My trusty wheels (which are two years my senior) failed on me. And I was stranded in Burlington County. With 45 minutes to get to the press conference.
Fortunately I was saved by one of the news trucks who let me hitch a ride to the police station. I stayed for the press conference and made arrangements with my Dad (another savior) to rescue me and have my car towed (back to Wilmington).
In the interim, I looked for a quiet place to organize my notes and dictate them back to another reporter in the newsroom. What I found was happy hour at the Chesterfield Inn. Over a cacophony of country music and unhinged conversation, I managed to dictate my notes to my colleague over the phone. By my second visit to the complimentary pizza buffet (a weekly ritual for Chesterfieldians), my Dad had arrived.
Though myaccounting major friends roll their eyes at the endless series of bizarre situations that is a career in journalism, I'm still game for the adventure. Especially when there's free pizza.
The school supposedly held grief counseling sessions for students, parents and community members the morning after the accident. It was my job to hang outside the school and interview those exiting the meetings, hoping to find out details about the young girl's personality, interests, etc. After driving 45 minutes to the school, I arrived to an empty parking lot.
But it paid to make the trip. The NTSB was giving a press conference later that afternoon and the local police station, and I was expected to report back to newsroom on what was said.
I stuck around the school for 15 minutes for the off chance that someone might emerge from the building. That never happened, but I did spot several news trucks circling the sleepy country town and proceeded to follow one headed toward the scene of the accident: a flashing yellow light intersection between two sleepy country roads. As I was headed there, ANOTHER accident occurred. It was a minor fender bender, but still a little unsettling.
This second accident created a huge backup at the intersection, so I couldn't pull over to talk to the police officers at the intersection for an additional 15 minutes. When I was finally able to park on the shoulder, I got out and spoke to a few police officers at the scene. Sure enough, the cops had no knowledge of the previous day's accident or the one that took place less than an hour before.
Just shy of defeated, I walked back to my car, put the key in the ignition....and it didn't start. My trusty wheels (which are two years my senior) failed on me. And I was stranded in Burlington County. With 45 minutes to get to the press conference.
Fortunately I was saved by one of the news trucks who let me hitch a ride to the police station. I stayed for the press conference and made arrangements with my Dad (another savior) to rescue me and have my car towed (back to Wilmington).
In the interim, I looked for a quiet place to organize my notes and dictate them back to another reporter in the newsroom. What I found was happy hour at the Chesterfield Inn. Over a cacophony of country music and unhinged conversation, I managed to dictate my notes to my colleague over the phone. By my second visit to the complimentary pizza buffet (a weekly ritual for Chesterfieldians), my Dad had arrived.
Though my
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
New semester, new bureau
I've had the great fortune of continuing my experience at the Inquirer into the spring semester, this time at the paper's South Jersey Bureau in Cherry Hill.
My first day back was last Wednesday, Feb. 8, and I started at the Center City newsroom to sort out some administrative business before starting in Jersey. With a few obstacles (traffic circle mishaps), I arrived at the Cherry Hill office where I met my editor, Cindy Henry who showed me around the newsroom. The pace and general ambiance in Jersery is much more relaxed than at the Broad Street newsroom--I think I'll miss the excitement, but enjoy the more intimate atmosphere here in Cherry Hill.
My first assignment is the retirement of the NJ state librarian, Norma Blake. I spoke with her and some of her colleagues last week, and the story should run sometime this week.
Today, I'll be visiting Overbrook High School to interview an art teacher her student who is a contestant in a rather peculiar art competition. In a contest put on by the Lucerne Dairy company, this 10th grader has been tasked with decorating a full-sized likeness of an adult cow. I've begun racking my brain for funny cow jokes for the lede...
My first day back was last Wednesday, Feb. 8, and I started at the Center City newsroom to sort out some administrative business before starting in Jersey. With a few obstacles (traffic circle mishaps), I arrived at the Cherry Hill office where I met my editor, Cindy Henry who showed me around the newsroom. The pace and general ambiance in Jersery is much more relaxed than at the Broad Street newsroom--I think I'll miss the excitement, but enjoy the more intimate atmosphere here in Cherry Hill.
My first assignment is the retirement of the NJ state librarian, Norma Blake. I spoke with her and some of her colleagues last week, and the story should run sometime this week.
Today, I'll be visiting Overbrook High School to interview an art teacher her student who is a contestant in a rather peculiar art competition. In a contest put on by the Lucerne Dairy company, this 10th grader has been tasked with decorating a full-sized likeness of an adult cow. I've begun racking my brain for funny cow jokes for the lede...
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Week 12: Occupy/In Education
This past Wednesday I contributed to a story about Occupy Philly's demonstration in front of police headquarters. They were awaiting the release of more than 50 fellow protesters who were arrested Tuesday with charges of failure to disperse, criminal conspiracy and obstructing the highway. I first went to police HQ to check out the scene as Occupiers arrived in droves to protest the arrests, then quickly made my way to the Criminal Justice Center to watch the arraignments of the protestors. My first experience court reporting was about as boring as my editors promised it would be.
I spent this Friday, my last day at the Inky, working on an education feature that will go in the paper in a few weeks. I'm writing about a community service organization called Build On that provides after-school community service programs to high school kids in several US cities. I went into two Philly schools that participate in the program and also interviewed BuildOn's development director over the phone. It was a fun assignment; though interviewing younger people is sometimes a challenge, I've really enjoyed all the stories that have brought me into schools.
I spent this Friday, my last day at the Inky, working on an education feature that will go in the paper in a few weeks. I'm writing about a community service organization called Build On that provides after-school community service programs to high school kids in several US cities. I went into two Philly schools that participate in the program and also interviewed BuildOn's development director over the phone. It was a fun assignment; though interviewing younger people is sometimes a challenge, I've really enjoyed all the stories that have brought me into schools.
Week 11
In my 11th week at The Inquirer, I wrote a short story about tips to avoid consumer-related crime on Black Friday. The assignment was pretty straightforward. The District Attorney and deputy Police Commissioner held a short press conference alerting the public on internet and in-store scams expected this holiday season, and I tapped out the story in 20-30 minutes. Got to leave early and beat the Wednesday before Thanksgiving traffic!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Week 10: BalletX
This past Wednesday, I reported on a collaboration between Andrew Jackson Public School in South Philly and BalletX, a contemporary dance company from the Wilma Theater. A composer who works with BalletX recieved a grant to engage in the creative process a community considered underserved in the performing arts. Over a six-month period, the composer and a choreographer worked with students in the school's "rock band" to create a ballet.
I spent the morning at Jackson, interviewing student musicians and sitting in on a band practice. It was my second time at the school; I went there to cover Sandra Day O'Connor's tour of Philadelphia in Semptember. I then went to the Wilma, and talked the choreographer who was gearing up for that night's premiere.
Because I attended the evening performance, my shift was broken up, leaving me with the whole afternoon free. Rather than making an unnessary trip back to Delaware, I poked around South Philly and got some school work done at a cafe before the performance.
The ballet was great--it was my first time covering a performance, and I had a blast.
Friday's shift was dedicated to writing the piece, which went in Monday's installment of "In Education."
I spent the morning at Jackson, interviewing student musicians and sitting in on a band practice. It was my second time at the school; I went there to cover Sandra Day O'Connor's tour of Philadelphia in Semptember. I then went to the Wilma, and talked the choreographer who was gearing up for that night's premiere.
Because I attended the evening performance, my shift was broken up, leaving me with the whole afternoon free. Rather than making an unnessary trip back to Delaware, I poked around South Philly and got some school work done at a cafe before the performance.
The ballet was great--it was my first time covering a performance, and I had a blast.
Friday's shift was dedicated to writing the piece, which went in Monday's installment of "In Education."
Week 9: Election Night
Instead of my normal Wednesday/Friday shift, I was asked to work Tuesday to help out with PA election coverage. As returns came in online, I entered data that would go into the next day's graphics displaying the election results. Sort of a boring shift, but I did take part a time-honored tradition in newspaper journalism--election night pizza!
Because I worked several long shifts over the past few weeks, I get this Wednesday and Friday off.
Because I worked several long shifts over the past few weeks, I get this Wednesday and Friday off.
Week 8: Mitt Romney Protest
That Friday I was assigned to cover Occupy Philly again. The occupiers along with several progressive political action groups (MoveOn.org, Democracy Now) had planned a march from the Dilworth Plaza encampment to Rittenhouse Square Hotel, where GOP nominee and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was holding a fundraiser. To get some background and a feel for the Occupy movement, I spent the morning at the encampment, talking to occupants and taking notes on the scene.
To avoid the half mile walk back to the Inky newsroom, I collected my notes and made some phone calls at the paper's City Hall bureau and dictated the story to my editor. I then made my way to the encapment for the march, but not before a calamitous scenario in which I found myself locked in a City Hall bathroom for 15 minutes. When I was finally liberated, I caught up with the protesters at Rittenhouse. They demonstrated for about an hour then marched in a circuitous route around Center City for several more. Next time, I will bring a heavier coat.
The protesters then returned to the encampment, where I stayed for another hour or so to cover the action. At about 7:00, I dictated my notes to an editor and departed for the night. Yet another long, but exciting day!
To avoid the half mile walk back to the Inky newsroom, I collected my notes and made some phone calls at the paper's City Hall bureau and dictated the story to my editor. I then made my way to the encapment for the march, but not before a calamitous scenario in which I found myself locked in a City Hall bathroom for 15 minutes. When I was finally liberated, I caught up with the protesters at Rittenhouse. They demonstrated for about an hour then marched in a circuitous route around Center City for several more. Next time, I will bring a heavier coat.
The protesters then returned to the encampment, where I stayed for another hour or so to cover the action. At about 7:00, I dictated my notes to an editor and departed for the night. Yet another long, but exciting day!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Week Seven: From Cheesesteaks to Sit-ins
I spent my morning covering a plaque dedication in front of Geno's Steaks in South Philly honoring its late owner, Joey Vento. Vento was a big supporter of the first responder community, so the city's FOP honored him with the ceremony they typically use for fallen officers.
This was a very fun assignment. Police officers, kids from Annunciation BVM (the neighborhood school) and other community members flanked all sides of the block as visiting Mummers played Sinatra-era hits. Police Commissioner Ramsey made a few comments memorializing Vento. Cheesesteaks, cops and Catholic school kids--how much more Philly can you get? This city can sometimes be a caricature of itself.
I ran into Ramsey later in the day at Occupy Philly protest at the Comcast Center. The occupants were protesting corporate greed and police brutality in solidarity with the violent in Oakland, Ca. that week. It was quite the scene. I stuck around for the whole protest and saw 9 Occupy members get hauled away in police vans.
I spoke with protesters and dictated the story back to my editors for an online update. I'm getting better at that kind of spot coverage. It was initially hard to get past the record-transcribe-contemplate-write model of reporting, but it's essential for newspaper writing. I'm getting the hang of it.
A very interesting day in Philadelphia.
This was a very fun assignment. Police officers, kids from Annunciation BVM (the neighborhood school) and other community members flanked all sides of the block as visiting Mummers played Sinatra-era hits. Police Commissioner Ramsey made a few comments memorializing Vento. Cheesesteaks, cops and Catholic school kids--how much more Philly can you get? This city can sometimes be a caricature of itself.
I ran into Ramsey later in the day at Occupy Philly protest at the Comcast Center. The occupants were protesting corporate greed and police brutality in solidarity with the violent in Oakland, Ca. that week. It was quite the scene. I stuck around for the whole protest and saw 9 Occupy members get hauled away in police vans.
I spoke with protesters and dictated the story back to my editors for an online update. I'm getting better at that kind of spot coverage. It was initially hard to get past the record-transcribe-contemplate-write model of reporting, but it's essential for newspaper writing. I'm getting the hang of it.
A very interesting day in Philadelphia.
Wee Six: Fleisher Art Memorial
That Friday I worked on a story about Fleisher Art Memorial, an after-school art program that won a Presidential Award for it's engagement of the city's youth in the arts. I got to go back to Bella Vista (where I did the mural assignment) and tour the facility, interview some program organizers and meet with the young girl who accepted the award in D.C. from Michele Obama.
This was my first time having such a formal, prearranged interview with a young person. It was kind of a challenge, but it wasn't that long ago that I was 16 so I knew what to expect. You really have to watch how you phrase your questions--anyone that's ever been at a dinner table with someone ages 13-18 knows to expect brevity in a teenager's responses.
But this girl was great. Got some great details about her background and what attracted her to the art program. It was fun to hear about her excitement in meeting the First Lady. A very fun assignment.
This was my first time having such a formal, prearranged interview with a young person. It was kind of a challenge, but it wasn't that long ago that I was 16 so I knew what to expect. You really have to watch how you phrase your questions--anyone that's ever been at a dinner table with someone ages 13-18 knows to expect brevity in a teenager's responses.
But this girl was great. Got some great details about her background and what attracted her to the art program. It was fun to hear about her excitement in meeting the First Lady. A very fun assignment.
Week Six: Student Debt
That Wednesday's's assignment allowed me to stay on campus for the better part of the morning. President Obama launched his new plan to lessen the burden of federal loans on students and I was asked to get student reaction to the plan and the stories of UD students carrying debt. It was nice to wake up a little later!
After speaking to a few students in Trabant, I traveled to Rutger's Camden to get the perspective of some New Jersey students. After a semi-dramatic episode in the parking lot ( I was accosted by a strange man who, unsolicited, "fixed" my car and asked for money in return), I got some great interviews with students carrying debt in Rutger's student center.
Then I headed to the newsrooom, where I tapped out my notes and sent them to the reporter writing the story.
After speaking to a few students in Trabant, I traveled to Rutger's Camden to get the perspective of some New Jersey students. After a semi-dramatic episode in the parking lot ( I was accosted by a strange man who, unsolicited, "fixed" my car and asked for money in return), I got some great interviews with students carrying debt in Rutger's student center.
Then I headed to the newsrooom, where I tapped out my notes and sent them to the reporter writing the story.
Week Five: Mural in Bella Vista
That Friday I was assigned to report on a Bella Vista mural that will likely be covered up by a developer's planned townhouse on the neighboring lot. Community members are upset about the proposed construction and seek to compromise with the developer to reach a compromise. I spent the morning making phone calls to the developer's lawyer, folks from Philly's Mural Arts program and the murals artist to get a grip on the issue.
A word of advice--when talking to lawyers, ask them to speak to you as if you are eight-years-old. No matter how comprehensive your understanding of legal jargon, try to get the source to put their ideas in layman's terms so it is easier to quote them accurately when you go to write. I spent a good 15 minutes trying to wrap my head around the difference between a zoning variance and a special permit.
While waiting for other sources to get back to me, I took a cab to the mural in Bella Vista (a hip section of South Philly). I was immediately taken by the neighborhood's atmosphere--it felt like a less pretentious Lower East Side. I'm having such fun getting to know the different pockets of the city.
I spoke with some business owners with shops adjacent to the mural to get their take on the townhouse project. On the cab ride back to the newsroom, some of those sources got back to me so I did some multi-tasking and jotted down notes in transit. The story came out pretty well, and I was excited to see it on the front of the local section that Saturday.
Week Four: West Catholic
Midway through my time at the Inky, I was assigned to report on a fundraiser put on by West Catholic High School featuring former Jersey Boy cast members and comedian Joe Piscopo. I spent a morning at West Catholic with the school's minister, Mike Marone, who took me on a tour of the school. (Having spent nine years in a Catholic grade school, it was a bit of a walk down memory lane for me.)
Later in the day, I went back to 400 North Broad for phone interviews with Piscopo, jovial as ever, and a member of the Jersey Boys. Because reporting took up most of the day, and the story wasn't going in the paper for a few weeks, I ended up writing it over the weekend.
It was a very fun story, but I ended up having to play PR person for the event; after the story was in print, I received a flood of e-mail and phone inquiries about purchasing tickets. I guess the readers didn't notice the tagline with West Catholic's PR representative's info at the bottom of the story. Better than hate mail!
Later in the day, I went back to 400 North Broad for phone interviews with Piscopo, jovial as ever, and a member of the Jersey Boys. Because reporting took up most of the day, and the story wasn't going in the paper for a few weeks, I ended up writing it over the weekend.
It was a very fun story, but I ended up having to play PR person for the event; after the story was in print, I received a flood of e-mail and phone inquiries about purchasing tickets. I guess the readers didn't notice the tagline with West Catholic's PR representative's info at the bottom of the story. Better than hate mail!
Week Four: West Catholic
Midway through my time at the Inky, I was assigned to report on a fundraiser put on by West Catholic High School featuring former Jersey Boy cast members and comedian Joe Piscopo. I spent a morning at West Catholic with the school's minister, Mike Marone, who took me on a tour of the school. (Having spent nine years in a Catholic grade school, it was a bit of a walk down memory lane for me.)
Later in the day, I went back to 400 North Broad for phone interviews with Piscopo, jovial as ever, and a member of the Jersey Boys. Because reporting took up most of the day, and the story wasn't going in the paper for a few weeks, I ended up writing it over the weekend.
It was a very fun story, but I ended up having to play PR person for the event; after the story was in print, I received a flood of e-mail and phone inquiries about purchasing tickets. I guess the readers didn't notice the tagline with West Catholic's PR representative's info at the bottom of the story. Better than hate mail!
Later in the day, I went back to 400 North Broad for phone interviews with Piscopo, jovial as ever, and a member of the Jersey Boys. Because reporting took up most of the day, and the story wasn't going in the paper for a few weeks, I ended up writing it over the weekend.
It was a very fun story, but I ended up having to play PR person for the event; after the story was in print, I received a flood of e-mail and phone inquiries about purchasing tickets. I guess the readers didn't notice the tagline with West Catholic's PR representative's info at the bottom of the story. Better than hate mail!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)