When I started this class I didn't really think that writing journalism stories would be that much different than any other story I've written, but it's a lot different. I learned that instead of expanding and adding details to a story, I should instead keep it to only the facts and keep my opinion out. Attributing information to someone is also very important.
The chapter on journalists and what they sometimes go through to get a story really surprised me. Sometimes they get arrested or are put in extreme danger. I don't think I would ever put myself in danger like that just to get a story.
Journalists have to be very creative in order to think of feature stories and have to be willing and ready to write about any story they are told to. Also, they have to be quick in order to get important stories written so people can get the facts and get them in on time. I have gained a lot more respect for journalists and their creativeness since the beginning of the story.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
New Conference
The West Central Conference posed many problems for the Mora School District—hundreds of dollars spent on travel expenses multiple times each week, athletes and coaches needing to miss parts of school days, and everyone dealing with long bus rides and late nights. Mora decided that it needed a change, and the Granite Ridge Conference was born.
The Granite Ridge Conference includes Mora, Milaca, Foley, Princeton, Zimmerman, Little Falls, and St. Cloud Cathedral. Instead of traveling a typical hour and a half or more for games in the current conference, Mora’s longest conference trip is now about an hour.
After the Rum River Conference dissolved three years ago, Mora became an independent conference. Mora’s Athletic Director, Gary Gauffin, said that being independent often included more travel time than being in the West Central Conference (WCC).
The Minnesota State High School League had placed Mora in the WCC, but Mora athletes and coaches weren’t happy with it most of the time because they had multiple games a week that involved long travel times. Mora High School Junior Evan Kolberg said, “I like the conference change because it’s closer, we get home early, and we don’t have to leave school early and miss homework.”
This was what ultimately led Gauffin and the Mora School Board to start looking at options that would be a better fit for Mora. Trying to get several schools from different conferences to all come to an agreement and make the conference change at the same time was difficult, said Gauffin.
Gauffin said that getting the approval to change conferences from the school board and having to do withdrawal procedures from current conferences was one of the first steps they had to take to make the change.
Six months of meetings and procedures came next. After schools approved the change and withdrew from their previous conference, they had to meet and write a constitution, discuss and approve the financial aspect of the change, address individual policy and procedures for each sport, and discuss the Fine Arts programs and Junior High activities.
When asked about why the school district didn’t change conferences earlier, Gauffin said, “We had tried to form a new conference of more local schools before, but it was not the ‘right time’, so the WCC became our best option.”
It turned out to not be a great option primarily because of the travel issues. Gauffin said that it was difficult for fans and parents to get to some of the games because of the distance, and “passing through St. Cloud was a very unique issue for several trips.” It also cost about $500 for transportation each trip, whereas the new conference will be about $300.
Brandon Ostien, a coach and teacher at Mora High School, said, “I think it will save the school a lot of money, not having to travel as far.” Ostien also thinks that the new conference will not create problems because of long trips and having to get back late on week nights.
Parent of two high school athletes Sharon Weaver agrees, saying, “I think it is good. Not as far to drive and it should be good competition with the schools in the conference.”
Kolberg, Samantha Weaver, and Paige Thielen are all juniors at Mora High School and have experienced many times the problems with the WCC. They all mentioned that the long bus rides and late nights were hard, especially with all the homework they had. All three agree that the new conference will have some good things about it, as well as not so good things.
Kolberg said, “The best part of it is that its closer and we might win more games, the worst part is that I think it will be worse competition.”
Weaver said, “I like that the towns are closer than the conference we’re in now. I think the worst part about the change is that we don’t know the competition as well, but I think they will be about the same level as the WCC.”
Thielen is mostly against the conference change saying, “I like the harder competition we have now, it makes us better. I also like the teams now because they are tougher and better than the teams we’ll have next year. I like that we will have more time for homework though.”
Gauffin agrees with the students that less travel time will be a huge benefit with the new towns. He thinks that the competition level will still be at a high level, even with WCC being “very, very competitive.” He says the new conference includes new towns that are somewhat bigger than Mora, but he expects them and the conference in general to be very competitive. Gauffin said, “A sense of commitment to the group is important, as schools left three different conferences to come together.”
Whether you are for or against the conference change, it’s coming next fall.
The Granite Ridge Conference includes Mora, Milaca, Foley, Princeton, Zimmerman, Little Falls, and St. Cloud Cathedral. Instead of traveling a typical hour and a half or more for games in the current conference, Mora’s longest conference trip is now about an hour.
After the Rum River Conference dissolved three years ago, Mora became an independent conference. Mora’s Athletic Director, Gary Gauffin, said that being independent often included more travel time than being in the West Central Conference (WCC).
The Minnesota State High School League had placed Mora in the WCC, but Mora athletes and coaches weren’t happy with it most of the time because they had multiple games a week that involved long travel times. Mora High School Junior Evan Kolberg said, “I like the conference change because it’s closer, we get home early, and we don’t have to leave school early and miss homework.”
This was what ultimately led Gauffin and the Mora School Board to start looking at options that would be a better fit for Mora. Trying to get several schools from different conferences to all come to an agreement and make the conference change at the same time was difficult, said Gauffin.
Gauffin said that getting the approval to change conferences from the school board and having to do withdrawal procedures from current conferences was one of the first steps they had to take to make the change.
Six months of meetings and procedures came next. After schools approved the change and withdrew from their previous conference, they had to meet and write a constitution, discuss and approve the financial aspect of the change, address individual policy and procedures for each sport, and discuss the Fine Arts programs and Junior High activities.
When asked about why the school district didn’t change conferences earlier, Gauffin said, “We had tried to form a new conference of more local schools before, but it was not the ‘right time’, so the WCC became our best option.”
It turned out to not be a great option primarily because of the travel issues. Gauffin said that it was difficult for fans and parents to get to some of the games because of the distance, and “passing through St. Cloud was a very unique issue for several trips.” It also cost about $500 for transportation each trip, whereas the new conference will be about $300.
Brandon Ostien, a coach and teacher at Mora High School, said, “I think it will save the school a lot of money, not having to travel as far.” Ostien also thinks that the new conference will not create problems because of long trips and having to get back late on week nights.
Parent of two high school athletes Sharon Weaver agrees, saying, “I think it is good. Not as far to drive and it should be good competition with the schools in the conference.”
Kolberg, Samantha Weaver, and Paige Thielen are all juniors at Mora High School and have experienced many times the problems with the WCC. They all mentioned that the long bus rides and late nights were hard, especially with all the homework they had. All three agree that the new conference will have some good things about it, as well as not so good things.
Kolberg said, “The best part of it is that its closer and we might win more games, the worst part is that I think it will be worse competition.”
Weaver said, “I like that the towns are closer than the conference we’re in now. I think the worst part about the change is that we don’t know the competition as well, but I think they will be about the same level as the WCC.”
Thielen is mostly against the conference change saying, “I like the harder competition we have now, it makes us better. I also like the teams now because they are tougher and better than the teams we’ll have next year. I like that we will have more time for homework though.”
Gauffin agrees with the students that less travel time will be a huge benefit with the new towns. He thinks that the competition level will still be at a high level, even with WCC being “very, very competitive.” He says the new conference includes new towns that are somewhat bigger than Mora, but he expects them and the conference in general to be very competitive. Gauffin said, “A sense of commitment to the group is important, as schools left three different conferences to come together.”
Whether you are for or against the conference change, it’s coming next fall.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Taylor Swift
Country artist Taylor Swift released Speak Now on October 25th and sold over a million copies in the first week. Speak Now is the follow-up album to her 2008 CD, Fearless, an album that sold over 2 million copies.
She wrote all 14 songs included on the album by herself about experiences she’s had. Swift says that some of the experiences are ones that everyone saw her go through and others are ones that few people knew about.
On Amazon’s Bestsellers ranking, Speak Now is currently #1 for both country and pop charts. Also, Speak Now is #2 on Billboard’s Top 200 album sales of the week and #1 for the country album sales of the week. Her first single, “Mine”, is playing frequently on both country and pop radio stations.
There has been speculation that some of her songs are written about Taylor Lautner, John Mayer, and also Kanye West. Swift has hidden clues about who her songs are about in the song lyrics, so look carefully!
The Speak Now World Tour 2011 is scheduled to include 87 shows in 19 countries spanning four continents. Tickets start at $25. Go to www.taylorswift.com for more information on buying tickets.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Mission Trip: Jamaica
Run-down buildings, homelessness, poverty, struggling families—these are probably not the words you’d expect someone to use when describing Jamaica. But if you’ve been on three mission trips to Jamaica and witnessed these things with your own eyes, like Ross Gunderson has, they would come as no surprise.
Gunderson is the interim youth director at The Rock, a non-denominational youth center in Mora, MN. He attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College for two years and put his full-time education on hold when he was hired.
The country and people of Jamaica are special to Gunderson because they have taught him many things. Even though many of the citizens are going through tough times, you never hear them complain. Gunderson says, “When I look back on these trips I’ve been on, all I remember the Jamaican people doing is smiling. They do a great job of not judging other people and this makes Jamaica an inviting place.”
When Gunderson was a high school freshman, he went on his first mission trip to Jamaica. Being the youngest member of the group, he was nervous and intimidated. At the same time, he feels that the first time you visit a third-world country it is the time that impacts you the most. He was surprised to see so much poverty and homelessness.
Gunderson feels that one should go into any mission trip with few expectations or pre-conceived ideas. He says, “If you prepare yourself with an open mind and the ability to be flexible on the trip, the rewards will be priceless.” And those rewards can come from many different places. Whether you are helping build a school, church or house; putting on a Bible school to teach local children about Jesus; or just visiting and listening to someone who needs to talk, you are touching lives.
Gunderson explains, “The Jamaican people love to see us come. They get a temporary dose of motivation, and their spirits are lifted when they see that someone does want to help them out. Just seeing us come makes their day better.”
One of those people that wanted to talk was Alfred, a Jamaican that Gunderson built a great friendship with. The group that Gunderson was traveling with met Alfred and got to know him, and then the next trip they went on, about two years later, they came back to the same area Alfred was in and Alfred decided to come to church with them. He then worshipped, prayed, and talked with some of the people from the group and decided to become a Christian. “It was so encouraging! It was my favorite experience on a trip. Since then he still calls and keeps in contact with me,” Gunderson states.
Alfred wasn’t the only Jamaican who was moved by the group’s love, however. Many Jamaicans wonder why people come all the way to Jamaica to help them build schools and churches and spend time with them. Gunderson explains, “This is what a missions trip is all about, and it gives us a chance to show them what it means to be a Christian, tell them about God’s love, and tell them how they can become a Christian.”
Gunderson says that even though the purpose of a mission trip is to serve and help other people, you always get something out of it, too. He says that because the trips are very demanding and cause you to get very tired from little sleep, lots of work, and stress, you improve your communication and listening skills, and grow both physically and spiritually.
“The whole trip is a way God can reveal himself. I see the work He is doing through me and it reminds me of how real He is,” Gunderson says. One of the mottos for a missions trip he went on was “It’s not about me”. He explains that this reflects the core of missions—to put God and others first and yourself last.
A mission trip isn’t always filled with happy memories, as was evident when Gunderson spent time in several orphanages. Most of the children there had severe disabilities. Many of them were taken there because their parents couldn’t afford to clothe, feed, or care for them. Gunderson thinks that it was challenging to connect with them because of the cultural differences we have, but he says that because a lot of them are “starved for attention,” most of the impact you make on them is through your actions, not your words.
For Ross Gunderson, using his life to make a difference depicts the Apostle Paul’s words in Acts 20:24 and gives his life meaning, “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.”
Gunderson is the interim youth director at The Rock, a non-denominational youth center in Mora, MN. He attended Anoka-Ramsey Community College for two years and put his full-time education on hold when he was hired.
The country and people of Jamaica are special to Gunderson because they have taught him many things. Even though many of the citizens are going through tough times, you never hear them complain. Gunderson says, “When I look back on these trips I’ve been on, all I remember the Jamaican people doing is smiling. They do a great job of not judging other people and this makes Jamaica an inviting place.”
When Gunderson was a high school freshman, he went on his first mission trip to Jamaica. Being the youngest member of the group, he was nervous and intimidated. At the same time, he feels that the first time you visit a third-world country it is the time that impacts you the most. He was surprised to see so much poverty and homelessness.
Gunderson feels that one should go into any mission trip with few expectations or pre-conceived ideas. He says, “If you prepare yourself with an open mind and the ability to be flexible on the trip, the rewards will be priceless.” And those rewards can come from many different places. Whether you are helping build a school, church or house; putting on a Bible school to teach local children about Jesus; or just visiting and listening to someone who needs to talk, you are touching lives.
Gunderson explains, “The Jamaican people love to see us come. They get a temporary dose of motivation, and their spirits are lifted when they see that someone does want to help them out. Just seeing us come makes their day better.”
One of those people that wanted to talk was Alfred, a Jamaican that Gunderson built a great friendship with. The group that Gunderson was traveling with met Alfred and got to know him, and then the next trip they went on, about two years later, they came back to the same area Alfred was in and Alfred decided to come to church with them. He then worshipped, prayed, and talked with some of the people from the group and decided to become a Christian. “It was so encouraging! It was my favorite experience on a trip. Since then he still calls and keeps in contact with me,” Gunderson states.
Alfred wasn’t the only Jamaican who was moved by the group’s love, however. Many Jamaicans wonder why people come all the way to Jamaica to help them build schools and churches and spend time with them. Gunderson explains, “This is what a missions trip is all about, and it gives us a chance to show them what it means to be a Christian, tell them about God’s love, and tell them how they can become a Christian.”
Gunderson says that even though the purpose of a mission trip is to serve and help other people, you always get something out of it, too. He says that because the trips are very demanding and cause you to get very tired from little sleep, lots of work, and stress, you improve your communication and listening skills, and grow both physically and spiritually.
“The whole trip is a way God can reveal himself. I see the work He is doing through me and it reminds me of how real He is,” Gunderson says. One of the mottos for a missions trip he went on was “It’s not about me”. He explains that this reflects the core of missions—to put God and others first and yourself last.
A mission trip isn’t always filled with happy memories, as was evident when Gunderson spent time in several orphanages. Most of the children there had severe disabilities. Many of them were taken there because their parents couldn’t afford to clothe, feed, or care for them. Gunderson thinks that it was challenging to connect with them because of the cultural differences we have, but he says that because a lot of them are “starved for attention,” most of the impact you make on them is through your actions, not your words.
For Ross Gunderson, using his life to make a difference depicts the Apostle Paul’s words in Acts 20:24 and gives his life meaning, “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.”
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Mora Cross-Country Team Shines
Junior Emma Johnson tied a school record at the Conference meet on Tuesday.
On a cold and sunny fall day, the Mora Mustang Cross-Country runners took to the trails at Trailview Middle School hoping to impress onlookers and opposing teams at the West-Central Conference North Meet in Mora.
And impress they did, with Emma Johnson running a race that tied the school record, Goodwin Amundson winning the Junior Varsity (JV) race, and many runners achieving personal best times.
Athletes obtaining these personal best times were: Emma Johnson, Bethany Coop, Samantha Weaver, Sam Johnson, Brent Schroeder, Austin Lick, Brendan Johnson, and Nick Fackler.
Team captains Andrew Coop and Emma Johnson, Bethany Coop and Sam Johnson all finished in the top 15 of their Varsity races and earned All-Conference honors.
The Mora Varsity girls placed third out of six complete teams and the Varsity boys placed second; finishing behind St. Cloud Cathedral. Mora’s JV teams both placed third overall. The Junior High runners also did well with both teams placing second.
Andrew Coop led the Varsity boys (4th place/17:00) followed shortly by Sam Johnson (15th/17:54), Tony Nikodym (18th/18:03), Noah Moravec (19th/18:04), Matthew Bostrom (18:20), Brent Schroeder (18:25), and Austin Lick (18:44).
On the girls’ Varsity side, Emma Johnson’s school record also brought her a fourth place finish (15:35). Johnson talked about her race that tied the school record, and said that she felt good during her race and was very excited when she saw her time on the clock. She was followed by Bethany Coop (15th/16:20), Kaitlyn LaFrance (20th/16:34), Ashlee Bahlmann (22nd/16:45), and Rachel Scullard (24th/16:51). Emily Leeb (17:35) and Amber Balvin (17:55) rounded out the Varsity team.
Junior Varsity boys were led by Goodwin Amundson’s first place finish (18:08). Coming in next were Brendan Johnson (8th/19:21), Jon Jones (12th/19:43), Shawn Strom (20:07), and Nick Fackler (20:48).
Rachel Hovland (7th/17:31) and Samantha Weaver (10th/17:39) were the first female Mora JV runners to come in. Rounding out the top five for Mora were Paige Thielen (14th/18:39), Jessica Mathison (18:44), and Jessica Yarger (19:03).
The Junior High boys’ team did very well with three top 10 finishes. Lucas Parsons (6th/11:51), Tyler Orr (8th/11:55), Keyan Weaver (9th/11:55), Calvin Cheney (13:30), and Owen Krueger (13:35) were the top five Mora finishers.
Maranda Bergstadt was the first finisher for the Mora Junior High girls with a fifth place finish (13:02). Amorette Johnson (6th/13:10), Daisy Dixon (12th/13:53), Brooke Oslin (14th/14:14), and Stephanie Brackenbury (23rd/15:07) rounded out Mora’s top finishers.
Coaches Chris Goebel and Rachel Norby were happy with how their home meet went. Coach Norby said, “This was the last race of the season for our junior varsity and junior high runners, and many of them ran their best races or close to best races of the season today. The whole team has been working hard all season, and it was great to see many of the runners perform so well today.”
The Varsity runners will compete at the Sections Meet in Pierz, scheduled for Thursday, October 28th. The races start at 4:00, so come and watch your Mora Cross-Country team!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
A Life Filled With Sports Lessons
“Teamwork, hard work, self control, and respect are just a few things I learned and continue to use in my life.” If you heard someone say this, would you think they were talking about family? A job? For Nicole Willms, these important life lessons were learned while playing sports.
When she was three years old, she started playing tee-ball and thereafter was always on a field. Nicole’s two brothers and her parents played sports, so she always had ready coaches.
Nicole was introduced to many sports through the years, and she distinctly remembers one scene. “I can still remember the day my mom tried putting me in dance and I told her there was no way I was twirling in circles! I wanted to play in the dirt!”
At six years old she learned how to play soccer and played her “signature” sport for the next 15 years. She started on the varsity team throughout high school. Nicole also ran track because she “had a lot of speed and it was put to good use.”
Nicole didn’t play softball in high school, but she now plays several nights a week. She even coaches her two and a half- and seven-year old children in the sport because she enjoys watching them learn how to play the sport she loves.
Nicole says, “I enjoy what each sport/team has brought to my life and taught me.” Life lessons and happiness often come from playing sports, and Nicole is living proof of that.
When she was three years old, she started playing tee-ball and thereafter was always on a field. Nicole’s two brothers and her parents played sports, so she always had ready coaches.
Nicole was introduced to many sports through the years, and she distinctly remembers one scene. “I can still remember the day my mom tried putting me in dance and I told her there was no way I was twirling in circles! I wanted to play in the dirt!”
At six years old she learned how to play soccer and played her “signature” sport for the next 15 years. She started on the varsity team throughout high school. Nicole also ran track because she “had a lot of speed and it was put to good use.”
Nicole didn’t play softball in high school, but she now plays several nights a week. She even coaches her two and a half- and seven-year old children in the sport because she enjoys watching them learn how to play the sport she loves.
Nicole says, “I enjoy what each sport/team has brought to my life and taught me.” Life lessons and happiness often come from playing sports, and Nicole is living proof of that.
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