Panorama 2009

Here's the URL to the aforementioned "Dizzy Davis" article.

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20090330/SPECIAL/903309956

My Time at UNC

Graduation is less than four weeks away — and I can't help but remember how a little less than four years ago, I was the typical wide-eyed freshman at the University of Northern Colorado.

It's cliche, yes, but I'm still shocked at how it feels like I was just standing in the parking lot of Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, talking with my best friend and wondering which college I would attend in the fall of 2005.

There were two final choices, after all: the University of Colorado in Boulder and UNC.

August of that year, however, I ended up moving into Harrison Hall at UNC — and beginning a journey that now leaves me looking at graduating with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

So, besides a new appreciation for sleep amid one final end-of-semester sprint, what have I learned?

First, there's the basics of the journalism profession. I've learned to assess the newsworthiness of events; how to write a story; how to conduct an interview; and the historical significance of the journalism profession.

Then — and perhaps most importantly — is the lesson I've learned of the value of hard work and sacrifice.

My first two years I spent floating through classes — making sure I get good grades but not doing much to prepare myself for graduation outside of class. Then I began my junior year of college, and it all changed. 

I started working for the student newspaper, the Mirror. I started writing for a web site covering high school football. And in October 2007, with the blessing of the student newspaper editor, I started working at the Greeley Tribune as a part-time night news reporter.

That, it seems, is when I learned a third lesson — one that was among the hardest to learn: how to handle stress. 

They don't teach you that in class — and they can't, to be honest. It would be nice (after all, would probably not be worried about losing my hair and going bald if such were the case) but this only comes with experience — as is the case with so much of the journalism industry.

In fact, I cannot stress this enough: the experience I gained at the Tribune has been vital. Quite frankly, though, that is how the journalism profession works. Real life experience is key, plain and simple.

That is why I leave with the utmost appreciation for having the chance to work at this newspaper. 

As far as the journalism program goes, I have learned a great deal from this program — and I am eternally grateful for this. I would not be anywhere near as prepared for graduation as I am now if not for the hard work of the professors in this program.

I also leave, though, hoping that those in the journalism department do more to help put its students in more real-life situations.

In my time at the Tribune, we have had two UNC students intern in the news department of the newspaper. That is out of about a dozen that the Tribune has hosted in the year-and-a-half that I've been there.

Granted, I know there are many factors at play in such matters. And I also know that much is up to the student to take the initiative in their own future.

At the same time, though, I truly feel like more can — and needs — to be done to get UNC students interning at this paper. The experience they would gain is priceless.

In the end, I've had a great time at UNC. I am eternally grateful for my time here, and I'll never forget the experience — nor would I want to. Many of the professors have helped me tremendously and I can not thank then enough. In fact, I'll probably keep bugging them long after graduation.

I just can't believe it's almost over.

Digging the chance at a "Dizzy Davis" scoop

The greatest thing I've learned in working for a newspaper is simple: contrary to what some may believe, people are actually incredibly interesting. The fact that there are so many stories waiting to be told only makes me wonder why newspapers are failing in this county (though there might be a few other factors figuring into this equation). Nevertheless, when I get to go out and do a feature solely on the life of a person and the impact this person has had on the community, I'm pretty excited. That is what happened when I stepped into the office of Jeff Davis, band director at Greeley Central High School.

Within the first few seconds, I saw the close-knit relationship between Davis and his students. Some students waited for a few extra instructions before walking away with their instruments while others simply waited and enjoyed the company of a person they now refer to as a second father — a habit that, unfortunately, will soon have to change. 

After all, in May, Davis will retire after 29 years as the band director of Greeley Central.

Writing stories like these are always enjoyable. In Davis' case, it was a relatively simple story to cover and write. Everything, it seemed, just kind of fell into place. Everywhere I turned, people were glad to attest to Davis' benevolent nature and proven teaching style. 

In looking back, there were a few things I did well in this feature story and a few things I probably should have thought twice about.

I had fun writing the lead and I hope that it came across as creative beginning to the story. I also had fun incorporating some of the small stories — such as the Trumpets of God reference — since I think they helped to show the Davis' personality.

On the other hand, I probably should have worked to make sure my nut graph (main descriptive paragraph on what the story is mainly about) was more clear. I also waited a long time to get to what the point of the article was about — that being, after 29 years, Davis had had a huge impact on those around him.

Being able to get comments from my professor, Lynn Klyde-Silverstein, was great. I realized that I needed to think more closely about how certain ideas fit together and to make sure my writing is as clear and concise as possible.

Overall, though, I had a great time doing this story.

To read the article, check out the Panorama magazine, which is a publication that the Greeley Tribune puts out every year detailing the lives and accomplishments of a few "Unsung Heros" in Weld County. It will be published in a few weeks.

After doing that, let me know what you think...