United States
SKILLS
* Efficient and effective news gatherer through interviews, research, and analysis of statistics.
* Excellent listener and communicator who effectively conveys information both verbally and in writing.
* Flexible team member who can prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects.
* Methodical and organized to produce accurate and error-free content under deadline.
* Team player who excels at building trusting relationships with customers and colleagues.
* Computer-literate performer with working knowledge of Windows and Macintosh platforms such as:
Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Adobe Photoshop; and HTML coding. Also proficient in AP Style, reporting, interviewing, writing, research, social media, and photography.
EXPERIENCE
Freelance Journalist, Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, MO Dec 2008-Present
Conceptualize, create, and present articles for newspaper submission. Write dynamic leads and creative copy while maintaining accuracy and fairness. Report on a wide variety of news topics with an emphasis on arts and entertainment, such as: band profiles, musician bios, concert previews, reviews, and general coverage of local music events. Attended county commission meetings and contributed to the business and city beats during an internship with the daily publication. Made lasting contacts and relationships while developing a name in the local news community.
Local Editor, Southeast Missouri Community Health, Chicago, IL Aug 2009-Nov 2010
Local Editor, Western Kentucky Community Health, Chicago, IL Aug 2009-Nov 2010
Editor of two monthly health magazines spanning southeast Missouri and western Kentucky. Coordinated health news with the month and/or season to write all local content for both demographics. Contributed a feature story, localization of a national story, six to eight news briefs, Q&A, recipe, and calendar, to each magazine each month. Gained strong experience interviewing doctors and medical professionals. Developed a strong rapport with interviewees and readers by conducting in-depth research, citing a variety of reliable sources, and formulating well-written articles.
Online Editor, The Arrow, Cape Girardeau, MO Aug 2007-May 2009
Developed, managed, and edited Southeast Missouri State University's online newspaper. Started as a staff writer who worked overtime to provide campus with a well-rounded and mixed-media news publication through contributions of written and visual content every week to include: one or more articles to print; photos, videos, and/or other visual aids to add context to stories, especially online; and headlines, subheads, and photo captions to accompany all printed and online content. Invested extra time and dedication the first year earned a new title and new responsibilities. Proofread and web-appropriated articles, planned the online layout, created new web pages, edited old pages, and uploaded all content as online editor. Liased with the Webmaster to contribute to site redesign and development; created comment page and a weekly poll to make the site more interactive. Received an award for the online newspaper's excellence among universities in 2009.
EDUCATION
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, MO
Bachelor of Arts--Journalism
Minor in Small-Press Publishing
Mineral Area College
Park Hills, MO
Associates Degree
Honors Program Graduate
During World War II, Kathe "Kitty" Hale was only two years old when captured and taken to a camp in Russia. She remained a prisoner there for seven years with her family. Hale now lives in Thebes, Ill., and works as a cook at Fox Hollow Cafe. (Elizabeth Dodd)
Joann Lester, hostess at Saxony Village, claps with residents after singing "Happy Birthday" to a coworker Thursday during lunch time. (Elizabeth Dodd)
Kristen Pender knows the effect mentoring can have on youth. For more than three years, Pender has worked as a school-based manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and her experiences with the Cape Girardeau School District demonstrate how the program can transform a child's life.
Hallie Fieser, a recent Historic Preservation graduate from Southeast Missouri State University, inspects a headstone at Shady Grove Cemetery west of Cape Girardeau. (Kit Doyle)
From left, Andrea Shovan plays Jerry Conroy, Joe Reed plays Dirk Knudsen, Melissa Wade plays Kate Gladston, and Joe Class plays Miles Gladstone in the River City Players production of "The Crazy Time", a comedy by Sam Bobrick. (Laura Simon)
The Biggest Car in the County performs at the River City Music Festival. (Laura Simon)