News Articles
10:06 AM
Victoria Mangam
I apologize that the below articles are not "online-friendly," but here are some examples from my portfolio of print journalism. Most were written for classes and I tend to lean towards writing feature stories. (Names were changed)
1)
Growing Up Too Fast
Her tired eyes dart across the computer screen as she feverishly clicks around the graduate school Web site. Her face contours into a grimace as she hunts through endless job websites. Even her mouth is dry from a seemingly endless amount of stamps and envelopes she licks as she tries to make the hardest decision about her future yet. Her name is Judy Drzewo and is part of the May 2010 graduating class from George Mason University
“I never wanted a political career,” said Drzewo,“now I feel I must base my next major life step on American politics… whether the economy steps up or the education system changes or who knows?” Drzewo, like many 2010 graduates, is faced the decision to either attend graduate school or hunt for a job in this shaky economy.
“A college degree means far less than it used to,” said career counselor Ann Schmidt, “A bachelor’s used to be job security.” With prices increasing steadily for universities and many students graduating already in debt from their bachelor’s degrees, a logical step would to instead start mailing out numerous resumes. March’s high numbers of jobs created is nothing for a student to count on. Unemployment is still nearing 10 percent and many of those newly-created jobs may be tied to the temporary Census jobs. Jamie Hansen, a Tourism major, said, “The problem is the fierce competition out there. I feel as though there is always another student with just one more line on their resume.”
With thoughts concerning high competition, it’s no wonder students are looking towards graduate school to make them a stronger candidate. “Tuition, books, housing, food, transportation… we only planned for 4 years of this, not 6,” said Bill Freeley, father of a May 2010 graduate. With the parental well drying up, students must take out student loans or pray for a scholarship. “It’s a game of chance. You think ‘With a masters, I’ll get a higher paying job. I can pay off these college loans later,’” said Drzewo.
Cody Hammen, a 2009 graduate, seems happy with his decision. “I worked as a server and job hunted. Now finally, 11 months after graduation, I found a ‘big-boy’ job,” or in other words, a job requiring a college degree. Hammen believes that many students graduate with the notion that one will get a great job immediately after graduating. “I had a bachelor’s degree and was a waiter, but it paid my bills.”
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2)
Example of News Reporting/Fact Gathering
Last Wednesday at 3:20 p.m. in Los Angeles, Dorothy Buckley thought yet another earthquake had hit southern California and ran home to check on her two cats to see if their were buried under the rubble. Instead, she witnessed the aftermath of a fire and explosion at the Imperial Toy Factory on East 7th Street
Fire Chief, Bill Bamattre, told reporters that he is unsure about what caused the fire. However, described a type of “shrink-wrap” machine that wrapped roles of caps for toy guns. The machine is a heat source that was located near the fire and explosion. Bamanche also did not know whether the fire caused the explosion or the explosion caused the fire. The fire department arson unit was also on the scene.
Two critically injured and two non-critical people were taken to the hospital. 25 people were treated at the hospital. At the time of the fire chief’s comments, not all employees had been accounted for and the names of the dead had not been released yet. According to Bamattre, there were 100 firefighters, 17 companies, 6 Los Angeles
“It was dead quiet, no sound, no screaming, hollering or running around, just really quiet. Then the fire engines…” recalled Dorothy Buckley from her experience of the aftermath. Buckley lived directly across the street from the toy factory in a loft apartment.
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3) Beer Boredom
Most college students would jump in excitement with the knowledge that classes had been canceled again but after 4 days of no school, Anna Jones simply groaned, rolled her eyes, and desperately searched her nearly bare refrigerator for something of nutritional value. She reached to the top shelf and grabbed a chilled Coors Light and sighed, “Well, what else is there to do?” Her roommate Katie responded with what many may believe is an atrocious insult to the collegiate lifestyle: “But I’m tired of drinking!”
This seemingly unrealistic scenario was something not out of a Twilight Zone episode, but rather, the last days of “snowmageddon,” a blizzard that struck George Mason University Virginia area was plagued with record amounts of snow, George Mason University
During the first few days of the “snowpocalypse,” ecstatic cries of, “snowball fight!” and, “Let’s build an igloo!” could be heard echoed across Mason’s housing areas which accommodate approximately 5,000 students. “It was awesome! We stocked up on beer and liquor to entertain us during the snowstorm,” stated a Mason fraternity student, “The best part was when we decided we needed more beer and ‘took a mission’ to the 7-eleven. I’ve never been so cold, but the hilarity and beer were well worth it.”
Alcohol appeared to be the most prominent answer to how students spent their days of winter isolation. Mason’s campus enforcement appeared to be nonexistent as students ran throughout the dorms yelling and blaring music. It was the ultimate party complete with Natural Light beer and bottom-shelf vodka.
However as the week dragged on, students began to realize that the ultimate party had its hangover as well. Students scavenged their dorms for food of sustainable value, even though Mason dining halls were open. “There was just too much snow,” said a young freshman girl Heather, “It’s was too much to walk through.” Lack of food, cabin fever, and the looming prospect of digging out cars under 2 to 3 feet of snow dampened the spirits of the students. Then the waves of angry emails from professors who expected students to still meet project deadlines came and officially “busted” the party.
“That’s it,” cried Jones in desperation upon receiving notice of Mason’s snow makeup policy schedule in May, “I officially hate snow!”
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4)
4)
Example of Speech article
After the customary tour of the White House, President Obama congratulated the Los Angles Lakers for the 2008-2009 championship win this past January stating, “nobody exemplifies excellence in basketball better than the Los Angeles Lakers last year.” It is common for Presidents in office to congratulate college and professional sports teams who win national titles; however, due to the busy schedules of President Obama and of these talented athletes it can take many months.
President Obama, an avid basketball player in his spare time, joked at his age and trying to play, “against kids half [his] age.” Throughout his speech, Obama kept the laughing going and expressed his own excitement of meeting Coach Phil Jackson, who once coached Obama’s hometown team the Chicago Bulls.
Obama joked with and highlighted some of the player’s achievements, such as Magic Johnson. “We're honored to have one of the all-time greats in NBA history, Magic Johnson," he said. "Magic did pretty well during his time with the Lakers - he wasn't bad. Part of what makes Magic special wasn't just how he played on the court but also his infectious enthusiasm about life and what he's now doing with businesses in black communities, he's just been an outstanding leader in our country for a long time.”
The players appeared to thoroughly like the speech, laughing along and enjoying the President’s comments. Obama ended the speech with a positive and encouraging remark to the players, “If this season is anything like the last one, I know you have your sights set on the NBA Finals, so we might see you here before long.”
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