Lizzie Bundy

Exam Week Brings End to Semester

This feature could be one written towards the end of the semester as a story highlighting what students around campus are doing to prepare for exams, as well as what they are doing on the week of exams and their plans for winter break.

To do this story I would interview random students, but be sure to have a variety of students from each class, and ask them the above questions. It would be neat to see the differences between each class, especially the freshman and the seniors because the classes are a lot different. 

This could be for a general audience, leaning more toward the UNCP student body. Everyone knows exam week is the most stressful days in a students college career, so it could be of an interest to see how students deal with the stress, studying and lack of sleep. 

Romney or Obama: Students Speak Out

This feature would be a follow up from my first journal entry about the opinions of the UNCP students about the upcoming presidential election. There is about two weeks left until election day, and it would be interesting to see if student’s opinions have changed after the recent debates between Romney/Obama and Ryan/Biden.

To do this story I would re-interview the students I last interviewed to see if their opinions have changed or if they are still firm on their vote. I would also interview other students at random to get their reaction of the debates and see if they had an influence on their vote. 

This story would be one for the UNCP student body. It is interesting to see the diversity of college campuses because most campuses are liberal-biased, but there are the few students at various campuses that do not follow that belief. Also many college students are still trying to figure out what they believe are their biggest issues when it comes to politics, so when students pay attention to the talks and debates they slowly figure out what party they want to vote for. 

UNCP Students Relax at NC State Fair 

The North Carolina State Fair, a gathering of people from all over NC, ran from October 10-21. Many students from UNCP participated in the festivities over the 11 day period. The fair is not only about rides but is a cultural experience as well, with all kinds of fried food and agricultural related events.

This would be a good feature because the NC State Fair is a very popular tradition all across the state, and is a nice way to relax and enjoy oneself. Many students from all colleges are attracted because of the food choices, rides and games. 

To do the story I would find information to write a recap of the event, and then interview students to find ones that went and ask their opinion of the fair as well as the overall experience they had there. 

This story would be for the UNCP student body/community as well as the Pembroke community. It is about a 2 hour drive to the fairground from Pembroke so it is definitely an experience people around the community can relate to and share with others. 

Dan Kenney to become Chief of Staff

UNCP Chancellor’s Kyle Carter has announced that Athletic Director Dan Kenney has been named Chief of Staff in the Officer of the Chancellor. He will assume the position November 1.

This would be a good feature because Dan Kenney has served as Athletic Director for 15 years, and has been as great influence to student athletes on and of the field. He has had great success by all athletic teams under his position. He has dedicated a sufficient amount of time at UNCP.

To do a story I would interview Dan Kenney, Chancellor Carter, some of the coaches that have responded to Kenney for a long time, and Patrick Sterk, UNCP compliance officer. Along with this I would find out more information about Kenney’s time here at UNCP and any information on who will become the next athletic director.

This story would pertain to the UNCP community, particularly the student athletes and coaches, as well as the Pembroke and Lumberton community. Dan Kenney resides in Lumberton so this story would have an impact on that community. 

UNC System President dies

William Friday, the former president of the UNC system died October 12,2012. He was 92, and died in his sleep. He also has a show on UNC-TV called, “North Carolina People,” that was going into tis 42nd year of production.

This would be a good feature to write about because our school is part of the UNC system, so he played a large role in our university. 

To write a feature, I would talk to  Friday’s wife, the chancellors of the UNC system to get quotes about Friday, as well as sources that knew him through his TV show.

The audience for this feature could pertain to all North Carolina residents, we well as alumni of a UNC system school as well as current students. William Friday had a large influence on the school system when he was President. 

20-10 win over Tusculum brings Braves to No. 24 in Rank

The UNCP Braves football team beat Tusculum on Saturday, October 6 20-10. This won brought them to number 24 in the AFCA poll. This is the first time in almost two years that the Braves have broken the top 25 barrier. 

This would be a good feature to write about because this is a big deal for our school athletics program. Our football program is fairly new, so reaching the top 25 is a big stride.

To go about this, I would research stats for the 2012 season, then interview some of the coaches and top players. We have two very talented quarterbacks that switch off throughout games, so I would be sure to include both of them because that is unique in football to have the first and second string quarterback switching between plays. 

This would be a story for the general audience, particularly sports fans as well as the UNCP student body. UNCP has a great institution of Division II athletic teams, so it could spark interest of the student body to want to read this story. 

Lady Braves take all at Division 1 Tournament

On September 10 and 11, the Lady Braves golf team won a Division 1 tournament hosted by Wofford College, making school history by winning the Division 1 tournament as well as breaking the previous school team record of 295 on the second day of competition with a 294(+6). 

This could be a good feature story because this is a big deal among Division 2 athletics. It is not often people hear of Division 2 teams beating Division 1 teams. There is a reputation that Division 1 teams are the best around, and this story helps to break that reputation. 

To go about this I would interview both the head coach David Synan and assistant coach Liz Fernandes of the UNCP Women’s golf team as well as the captains Shauna Walor and Meghan Moore. I would piece together the scores of the individuals as well as the combined team scores. I wold also account what Division 1 teams were present at the tournament. 

Along with this information I would accumulate  the Lady Braves’ past of placing 3rd in the last Division 1 tournament they played in the spring season of 2012. 

This story is for the general audience, more so sports readers. For sports readers they understand the difference between Division 1 and 2 teams so it would be a story the sports readers could relate to and understand. It would be entertaining for the UNCP students, faculty and staff as well because it is a big deal a Division 2 team winning a Division 1 tournament, as well as it is something to be proud of as a member of the UNCP student body. 

Breast Cancer Awareness: UNCP Family Speaks Out

October, also known as breast cancer awareness month, is quickly approaching. I think a good feature idea could be one about breast cancer and how it has affected students and staff. Breast cancer affects so many individual lives, families and communities that I think it would be an intriguing feature to write about. 

There are many events that are put on around campus during October pertaining to breast cancer awareness, so to do the story I would get quotes and anecdotes from people that participate about their experiences with it, whether they are survivors or know someone that has survived or died from it. I would also get quotes from participants as well as people that put on the events what breast cancer awareness means to them, as well as quotes from the people that put on the events what it means to them to be able to spread breast cancer awareness.

A good picture could be one from any of the events that occur with people interacting. 

This story really could be for any audience. Breast cancer is something that effects many lives and is something very moving to read and hear about.

The work behind the game: What work does it take to put on a football event?

Since football season has begun at UNCP, I think it would be neat if there was a story that covered what kind of work goes into a football game. Most people just pay their admission, come to the game and watch, then go home. I dont think though that many people realize how much work really goes on behind that scenes to put on a game. 

There is the angle of the football team, the AD and marketing staff, police and security, volunteers, the band and cheerleaders, the concessions, as well as the field and the clean up crew. So many only think about the football team so it would be a neat angle to showcase the people that help successfully run a football event. 

I would interview the AD first to get his perspective on a game, and ask him the step-by-step process to put it on. Next I would talk to the marketing staff because without their work there would not be enough money to support the event. Then I would get in contact with members of the other groups that help to make it a success and interview them about what importance they have. Lastly I would interview the coaches and players on their ideas and opinions. 

This type of story would be an audience for people with an interest of sports and people who are thinking of going into this area of work. Young people can get an idea of how the process of raising money through the marketing department works, or what type of work goes into keeping the football field in top shape. I think a story like this could help open people’s perspective on sporting events in general and give them an appreciation for how much work truly goes on in preparation and during the event.