training:
MIPA camps
the bobby hawthorne experience
Summer 2020
This course was my first introduction to journalism. I was warned that it was difficult but I was up to the challenge. Though I started off with big hopes and dreams of becoming an immediate standout in the class, despite my lack of knowledge in journalistic writing, that goal was quickly squashed. Mr. Hawthorne left numerous constructive criticism comments on all my works and comments began with "I appreciate your hard work, but..." And I wasn't prepared for the simple truth. I could do better. Much better. I was discouraged, and I would be lying if I said there weren't a few tears shed. But at the end of that course, even though I was far from an Excellence or Sparty Award (the highest recognition) for the class, I felt like I gained an abundance of knowledge in powerful storytelling. Mr. Hawthorne tore down my writing and pieced it back together.
Summer 2021
When the next summer rolled around I knew I wanted to take the course again. During the year, as my writing had improved, I saw that I arrived at a point where editors were no longer telling me how I could improve my writing. But I knew with Bobby Hawthorne, there was always room for improvement. In fact, that's a mindset I adopted largely thanks to him: a growth mindset. Criticism is okay and it's what makes me better. So, I attended his class again and it's exactly what I hoped for by taking the course for a second time. That year, I received the Sparty award.
All the while
I have kept in touch with Bobby Hawthorne since 2020. I send him articles I am working on and he kindly provides feedback. Sometimes we meet virtually to further discuss the comments and how I can improve my writing. Additionally, at conferences, I make sure to stop by for a chat. Mr. Hawthorne's always fun to talk to. Bobby Hawthorne taught me the wealth and benefit in being edited, asking for help, and hearing back constructive criticism.
​
"I edit you so ruthlessly because your work is good and I care about it," he told me at the St. Louis NSPA conference. "Send me more, please. Kids like you are why an old guy like me teaches."
social media journalism
Summer 2021
Under the tutelage of the one and only Tracy Anderson, I learned during this course the importance of social media journalism and how to integrate it into our publications. By taking this course, I really wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone, and I'm so glad I did. Having been so committed to print and website work for the past two years, I never paused to acknowledge the power of social media. Nowadays, the number one platform isn't Issuu or thehuronemery.com. It's @thehuronemery. With that epiphany, I worked with our editors in the dorms until curfew, creating a plan for the social media during the upcoming year so that it's less of a "side thing," and more so a main source of information. Because it deserves to be. At the end of the course, I received the Sparty Award.
MIPA had an Instagram called The Upstart, which the class helped manage. These are two examples of grid posts that I contributed.
Our editor Gina and I working on our mass planning document for our future goals for The Emery in the Michigan State University dorm. This was also part of my Social Media course final assignment.