the sky is wicked huge.
move
learning on the ice
the story of a young journalist
When I got a chance to look around and enjoy the moment, I found myself sitting among men and women who were dressed in their professional attire. I looked over the ledge and heard the fans’ cheers before I could see them. The voices filling the stadium were coming from the opposing crowds of maroon and gold versus scarlet and white. The atmosphere was pure magic. Sports fans from all areas of Boston were present to witness the championship game of the Beanpot. In that moment, I had to sit back and think about all of the accomplishments I made in such a short period of time. Over the course of a week I had been named sports reporter, scored press credentials without outside assistance, and was filming my first package for Emerson Independent Video (EIV) News. It was a whirlwind experience that I had completely created for myself and I began to realize all my hard work from the previous months had not been in vain. Upon finally moving to Boston and starting my life at college, I was not sure what to expect. I had lived in a safe suburb, which I absolutely adored, my entire life. I was fairly blind to the variations college would have with high school. Knowing that I was to begin a new and probably different life in Boston, I moved into Emerson ready for whatever was to come my way.
Being a broadcast journalism major, I figured it would be a smart decision to become involved in one of the numerous news shows Emerson had to offer. After giving a horrible interview, I was presented with the position as a writer for EIV News. This position became tiresome and by second semester I was determined to land a higher one that would involve more effort and time, as well as offering more of an educational experience. I was granted this opportunity when I was offered the sports reporter position for the 6:00 EIV News after performing a much better interview. After reflecting, I slipped back into reporter mode. As I watched the hockey players skate back and forth, story ideas began to race through my mind and into my miniature red notebook. Somehow I would make a story out of what these fans were cheering for and my mind was working hard as I tried to think about the possible directions I could take. Once the game ended, I sped off with my camera crew in order to tape the press conference. Cameras lined the back of the room as all the reporters were in the ready, bursting to ask questions and receive good quotes. I was freaking out on the inside as a reporter introduced himself as someone working for EPSN. I stood in complete awe of these people. They spoke with such eloquence when addressing the
coach and knew exactly what to ask in order to get the players talking. I tried to keep complete composure in order to not let on that I was a new reporter who had only interviewed people for my high school newspaper. Once I regained composure, I walked onto the ice to shoot my standup. Not only was it a cool experience, it was something completely different. In my mind I created a competition between myself and the other reporters who were shooting on the ice. It kept my competitive spirit alive and made me want to do the best I could do. Walking on ice is a completely different experience from walking on the steady pavement, but somehow I was able to accomplish my task, even though I am one of the biggest klutzes in the world. I never would have been given this opportunity if I had not pushed myself in my freshman year. In the beginning of the year I would have never dreamed that I would be given the sports reporter position or able to land such amazing press credentials without any experience. Journalism is a field where it is important to get involved and start hands on experience early, which is exactly what I was able to do. text · Jackie Cangro
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