To Be a Successful Reporter...

The characteristic of a good reporter that I chose as most important was quickness. This means that once he (or she) finds an oppourtunity for a story they follow through, make things happen and don't waste anytime. This quality is important in a journalist because when dealing with breaking new, deadlines, stories that the public has to know and other big pieces, a reporter can't dawdle and procrastinate. Fast reporters get the facts right away, aren't afraid to hunt them down and if it's an issue that is significant for the public then it's very helpful if the reporter can finish fast. I like the example that was on the Successful Reporter Website about the sign that hung in the Los Angeles news room. The sign said "get off your ass/knock on doors" and I think this sums up what being a journalist is all about. Finding compelling, truthful stories only happens when the person is willing to get out there and search hard for them.

My Hometown, Edina

Edina is crawling with interesting topics for me to talk about but the one near and dear to my heart at the moment is Edina athletics. I play soccer for the highschool during the fall and just recently I have realized how stupid our sports system actually is. For example, I don't understand why 8 junior girls would be demoted to the sophmore team or asked to quit. Those girls who were more qualified than some of the younger (and older) girls who got asked to play on the junior varsity. Ego's bruised and morale very low, 4 of the girls agreed to play for the sophmore team and had to hope that next year would be a better season. Even though they have a very slim chance of making varsity next year let alone junior varsity, they still give every game their all. Are spots on jv held for seniors (who don't make varsity) or for girls who have older siblings on higher soccer teams? Is it always talent that chooses those spots?