To be honest, the first time I sat down to write an article for The Good Five Cent Cigar I was terrified. I knew the inverted pyramid and I knew the facts, but for some reason, I was coming up empty. Right there is where I learned that I could sit through every journalism class in the world but the only true way to improve my skills is through experience.

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Don't get me wrong, I love my journalism classes and they helped lay the foundation of my career, but my biggest growth came outside the classroom. My classroom experience prepared me for applying my skills to whatever I did whether it be writing for the Cigar, broadcasting on WRIU, or the experiences in my internship.

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My writing got better as each week passed and each article I wrote. Soon I was able to really make my articles not only truthful and factual, but interesting. As the years went on, I would continue to cover bigger sporting events and eventually become editor. I believe I have two really good pieces of work in my time at the Cigar. 

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During my junior year I had the incredible opportunity to cover URI Basketball in the Atlantic-Ten Conference Tournament down in Brooklyn. In that tournament, URI upset the number one seeded Virginia Commonwealth University Rams. It was one of my favorite games to cover. After the final horn sounded I headed to the press conference to get quotes and got to work writing the game story. Early in my journalism career I struggled with deadlines, but by the time my junior year came I had learned how to get the story done on time and make sure it is done to the best of my ability. Game stories have always been tough, but this one was my best one. I was able to capture the emotion, the atmosphere and the magnitude of just how big the win was in my piece, “VCU Runs into Rhode Block.” 

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The next piece I included is my personal favorite. I love to tell other people’s stories and the feature I did on Taylor Ross is my best one I have ever told. A former URI soccer player who now has her own non-profit business to build schools in Africa. I really enjoyed sitting down and talking to Ross because at this point in my career I knew the right questions to ask in order to get the best and most impactful quotes just simply from interviewing so many coaches and players prior. I believe I was able to really tell her story the way it needed to be told. I would not have been able to write this feature without my journalism 321 class on magazine and feature writing as well experiences at the Cigar.

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Now, being able to write about a story or a game is one thing, to show it visually is a whole different challenge. In both my journalism 420 class, advanced reporting and writing, as well as my T.V. news class, I was able to learn how to visually tell the story and all the elements you need to make it both interesting and entertaining. I also learned how to use a camera, how to interview a subject on camera and so much more. I did a feature on student reporters and the challenges they face. In all four years of work, this piece is the one I am most pleased with and most proud of. I felt like I really was able to tell a complete story while also keeping the audience engaged throughout.

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Finally, the last piece of evidence I included was my highlights as a play-by-play announcer on WRIU during a URI basketball game this past year. Even though there is no writing, there is still a story to be told. As a broadcaster I relied heavily on language. I found that as my writing improved my language would as well help me with my broadcasts. 

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The experiences I have both in the classroom as well as outside of it, have given the skills, and abilities to think critically and creatively as well as being able to express myself both in my writing and speech.