| Looking back on my original post for my time at Full Sail in the New Media Journalism Program, it was really fun to read. It seems like so much time has passed, and much has changed. However, I did find it funny that some of things I was worried about most back then, turned out to be right! I predicted that I would struggle with the technology and content creation side, and boy did I! It was at times very frustrating and difficult to learn how to create, shoot, edit and distribute content. I had never done any of this before, and I quickly realized that being a strong writer was not going to be enough for this program. I had to buckle down and ask for help from friends that had experience with content creating. I also developed a patience with myself when it came to learning new things. My first reaction was to become frustrated, because it really did feel like I was back in elementary school. My knowledge in this field was basically none. With my experience being so low, it’s also very validating now to look back and see how much I have learned. Now I feel confident to shoot and edit videos. I feel like I know enough to produce something worthwhile. My favorite thing I learned was Adobe Spark. I didn’t know it existed until this program and I actually really enjoy it now. It’s so easy to use but also gives a really professional finish. It’s not nearly as frustrating for me also! I have found myself using it a lot. While it’s going to be odd to not be in school, I am grateful for time at Full Sail and look forward to where this experience takes me. |
The Genuardi’s Shared Some New Exciting News That Will Surely Change Their Family
One month ago I was lucky enough to be invited into the lives of Joe, Taylor, Beckett and Harper Genuardi. I created an article detailing their unique story through out COVID-19. Beckett received a heart transplant at 3 months old, and while he is now 6 and healthy, the family has had to be in complete isolation due to COVID-19 and the fear of Beckett getting the virus. With him being immune compromised due to his anti-rejection medication, him getting COVID-19 could be life or death. Almost one year ago today the family created a YouTube page in an effort to stay connected to family and friends while in quarantine. That page became much more than originally expected. Now, almost a year later they are still producing daily videos and sharing their lives with the world. This Saturday I was able to meet up with the family outside and while being 6 feet apart. Joe and Taylor had big news to share. They are pregnant again! This makes baby number 3 for Taylor and 7 for Joe! Taylor shared, “We have been wanting this baby for so long, we are so excited to welcome another member into our family. This is a blessing after a very difficult year.” Of course, they announced the news on Valentine’s Day to the rest of the world the only way that made sense: a new video on their growing YouTube page.
World Health Organization Hand Washing PSA
Public Relations and Reputation Management
I actually have been looking forward to this Public Relations and Reputation Management class because I am thinking about applying to jobs in the marketing/public relations realm after graduation. I think that work suits me better realistically than being in the field as an active journalist. Although I love writing, I know there are many more parts of the media world than just researching as a journalist. This class was enjoyable for me, which is a nice feeling. I enjoyed learning about the relationships needed between public relations officials and journalist. I guess I never really thought much about how the different job titles intertwine. When we did the assignment providing advice for public relation practices, it made me see that co-existing in that world together for both parties is important. On the marketing side I especially enjoyed our assignment on brand journalism. I’ll admit, I didn’t really see at first how it was relevant, but quickly saw the connection between journalism and brand marketing. There can easily be a cross over in the positions where journalists could certainly brand for a company. The writing and research background gives great testimonials that the company or brand needs for their marketing. Overall, I believe that this class was a great addition to the other classes that we have been taking throughout our graduate school experience. There have been a lot of technology-based classes that really pushed us on editing and creating content. That was not where I felt like I did best in. Classes like these are more suited for something that I will enjoy, and I am looking forward to a potential career in a field similar to public relations or brand marketing.
Women’s Bean Project: Buy real food and save real lives
The Women’s Bean Project is a non-profit organization set in Denver, Colorado. Their main mission to provide women from all different back grounds a chance to succeed. The Women’s Bean Project provides a safe working environment for women who have had trouble getting or maintaining a job. A great deal of the women that they help have been incarcerated before, making it difficult for them to get a job after they get out of jail or prison. The Women’s Bean project relies on donors of all different kinds to get quality foods, that the women employed then package to distribute to a number of different retail sellers. The organization started in 1989 by Jossy Eyre after volunteering at a women’s shelter. In the article Women’s Bean Project: 30 years of finding self-sufficiency in a pot of soup they talk about how Jossy invested her own money to hire two women who needed help in learning how to be self-sufficient, and they began creating dry soup mixes to then sell for profit. This simple idea became The Women’s Bean Project.
The Women’s Bean Project provides a simple, but important message. No woman is ever past the point of being helped. With proper training, direction and education, The Women’s Bean Project gives a 7-month crash course in how to keep and maintain a job. They have a 93 percent success rate with their graduates from the program maintaining a job in the community after they leave. These women are raising families and deserve a proper chance to give their children, and themselves a chance at a life that is about more than just struggling. By giving these women a full-time paying job for a year it not only gives them experience, but also a confidence in them learning how to be self-sufficient.
Peggy Driscoll is an executive director for the Women’s Bean Project. In an interview titled: From Poverty to Employment she gives insight to the products that these women produce during their employment, and how the company succeeds. The basis is that these women package different kinds of dry meal kits. It began with bean soup, but has evolved into things such as: cornbread, pastas, salsas, etc. These food products are then distributed to participating partners such as Amazon, Walmart, Whole Foods, etc. When the profit from these items comes in that provides the funds for the company to continue to hire women in need at a full-time salary. Their main mission is to provide a life changing experience for their employees to succeed after they leave.
The Women’s Bean Project is a great organization that has changed the life of many women and their families for the past 31 years. You can do your part in helping this company succeed by buying Women’s Bean Project anywhere their items are sold, or by going to their main website where all of their products are sold. While there, you can read and learn more about their mission.
Social Media Engagement Review: Post or Perish!
When reading back on my expectations for this class with my past research from what feels like so long ago, it really wasn’t too far off. Three of my original predictions were as followed: learning how to distribute content on social media, opening new social media accounts (for business) and learning how to make a post that will be more inclined to be read. This was probably one of my favorite classes so far, which is a big thing for me to say because I have been transparent in the past about my fear of social media. Before this program I was lacking confidence with technology in general, let alone opening all these social media accounts and putting my work and writing out there for anyone to see. Putting hashtags or tagging other account is a sure way for anyone to be able to read what I have to say, or what I find important. That not too long ago was really scary for me. This class gave me more confidence to post in general, but mainly learning how to post effectively. Three things I learned this month while in Social Media Engagement were: learning how to create a Facebook business page, as well as how to post good and engaging Facebook posts, learning how to use hashtags to our advantage (mainly on twitter), and how to create and use Reddit for the first time for me. Redditt was something very foreign to me before this class, however I already used it for something unrelated to this program that really helped me! This class is valuable for any future within the Journalism career path because the reality is social media is the best and most effective to reach any audience. Even with the very best writing and content out there, it’s nothing unless people see it. The world sees what we have to say via various social medias. This class prepared us to write good and catching posts and cross link our different social media accounts. Making sure that anyone who happens to see of our posts on one social media, they can easily find all of our content from that one post.
Give Kids the World Village Provides Magic Unlike Anyone Else
Give Kids the World Village is a central Florida nonprofit resort that sits on 89 acres. They provide a weeklong free vacation experience for critically ill children and their families. Give Kids the World Village, also known as GKTW, was founded in 1986 after an Orlando hotel owner was asked to provide a free stay for a young girl with cancer, however she died before she was able to receive her gift of going to the Orlando theme parks. After that experienced, he vowed to never let another sick child miss out on their desired experience. Many of these children that visit GKTW have spent most of their lives in and out of hospitals. Leaving family time limited and strained. Often times other well children in their families are on the back burners to parents, as the sick child requires more attention. GKTW provides a free opportunity for families to reconnect outside of the hospital room. They allow them all to just have fun together. A weeklong oasis without all the worries and stresses of their normal lives. Sometimes, this experience in the last time the whole family can be together. Due to the important roles that GKTW provides, they must have bright and dedicated staff members. Staff members provide a number of different roles. From taking care of the grounds, to kitchen staff, and to management who grants the wishes, as well as keeps funding coming in to keep up these great experiences. Adrianne Sietsma is a long-time staff member from GKTW. Adrianne has worked with GKTW for over ten years, making her an expert on all things GKTW. It is clear with her unmatched enthusiasm that Adrianne is truly passionate about her role with GKTW. It takes passionate employees like herself to ensure that nonprofits like GKTW can thrive. Adrianne tells us more about how GKTW is able to provide such magical experiences at no cost. She explains that 80 percent of funding comes from corporate donors, while only 20 percent comes from private individuals. These donors are an imperative part of keeping GKTW afloat. GKTW is truly a magical place for well deserving families. If anyone is interested in learning more about what they can do to help keep GKTW providing wishes, you can find all the information you need here.
“If you don’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love someone else?” -RuPaul
RuPaul Andre Charles was born on November 17, 1960 in San Diego, California. Being the only boy of his parents four children, he spent much of his childhood dressing up in his sisters’ clothes. RuPaul moved to Atlanta when he was a teenager to live with his sister. While there he started at Northside School of Performing Arts, giving him his first love of show business. RuPaul got his foot in the door of entertainment with his band, RuPaul and the U-Hauls. After the band broke up RuPaul moved to New York City. This is where his legacy began. While in NYC RuPaul and his roommate, Lady Bunny, began performing in drag on a regular basis. Lady Bunny also grew to become a very famous and successful drag queen. RuPaul was so successful in drag that he grew in popularity to the point that he was dubbed the Queen of New York. During this time RuPaul met his current husband, Georges LeBar. They have been together over 25 years, and finally were able to marry in 2017. RuPaul’s career took off and he soon had a record deal with Tommy Boy Records. While RuPaul continues to pursue his music career, nothing compares to the success he has had within the drag community. RuPaul has candidly spoken about his struggle with being not only a gay black man, but also a gay black man who dresses in drag. While some have condemned him, others have embraced his uniqueness, nerve and talent. RuPaul really hit it big in 2009 when he released a drag competition show called: RuPaul’s Drag Race. The show features other drag queens across the United States and beyond, racing to become America’s best drag superstar. The show also gives out a hefty 100,000 dollars for winning each season. RuPaul’s Drag Race is still just as successful, winning an Emmy in 2016. RuPaul’s Drag Race has many connects, including Kenneth Leslie, who was a co-executive producer on season twelve. RuPaul continues to inspire young LGBTQ youth to be proud of who you are across many social media platforms. You can find his Instagram account here. RuPaul has proved to be more than just an entertainer, musician or drag queen. RuPaul connects so many to the idea that we are more than our insecurities or our fears. In a world with so much hate and fear, we could use many more RuPaul’s.
Drag Queens: Saving the Stage, and Today’s Youth
“Gentlemen… start your engines, and let the best woman, win!” RuPaul is a singer, songwriter, entrepreneur, TV star, and most importantly: one of the most successful and most recognized drag queens. RuPaul’s Drag Race is an American reality show that gives drag queens from all over the world a chance to win 100,000 dollars while doing various competitions to prove that they are America’s best drag queen. Some say that drag originated back in the 17th century in theater where men would play women in plays. The men would say that their outfits would “drag” across the stage. Today, drag queens are a vital part of the LGBTQ community, giving a face to the idea that it’s always okay to be who you are. Central Florida has a long history of local drag queens playing a part in local LGBTQ community outreach programs. Roxxxy Andrews is a local central Florida drag queen who starred on season five of RuPaul’s drag race. While she didn’t end up bringing home the crown, her time spent on the show created an opportunity for her career to explode. Roxxxy Andrews is a regular performer at local Orlando hot spots like Parliament House and Southern Nights. She has won numerous drag pageant shows, and travels extensively for the show, and for her own career. Roxxxy is a perfect example of how you can make an exceptional career as a drag queen. However, being successful in drag doesn’t come without consequences. Many queens are vocal about their careers causing a strain on their relationships with friends and family. Being a man, but dressing up as a female and performing, doesn’t leave those with more conservative families with much to talk about. Many drag queens are open about those hardships in their own lives, and how they are helping young LGBTQ youth with bullying and coming to terms with their own sexuality. A middle school in North Carolina took control of LGBTQ kids in their school being more bullied than other students with the help of drag queens. Durham’s Central Park School held a Pride and Liberation Event where they welcomed drag queens Vivica C. Coxx and Stormie Daie to come to the school and perform “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” from the musical theater representation of “Hairspray.” Their performance was a huge hit with the students and helped non-LGBTQ kids resonate more with the LGBTQ community, hopefully putting an end to bullying. Who better to help educate young children about what it’s like to be “different” than drag queens themselves? This event goes to show that drag queens are not only exceptional performers, but also an important role model in the lives and journeys of many people.
Multimedia Reporting
This past month while completing Multimedia Reporting I have learned a number of different things. I’ll begin by saying that this has been one of my favorite classes. In the beginning of this program I found myself confused with what was expected of me at times, leaving me feeling discouraged. However, while being in this class I found myself understanding the assignments and was able to use knowledge from other courses to complete it. I enjoyed the freedom that was given to us to produce articles about things we were passionate about. It’s always nice to not feel like doing something is a chore because we don’t like what we do. I believe that this course will be a great steppingstone in teaching us core things that we will need in the journalism world or reporting. Finding the best ways to plan, write, produce, and distribute content is essential in being successful in our field. One of the most beneficial things for me from this class has been the articles and lessons about how to conduct real interviews. In our past classes I found myself struggling when it came to writing questions for interviewees, and also breaking through the awkwardness about how to go about recording them. While doing my interviews for this class I tried to go off the tips in our lessons, but even more I tried to be more relaxed and at ease with their interviews. When practicing this I found my interviewee more comfortable, and I found myself not dreading having to do it. That was a welcomed relief that I gained from this class. Overall I really enjoyed this class and I look forward to seeing Professor Lee in a future class.
Mental Health 