Oklahoman interns NewsOK.com Blogging Community

I’m heading out soon and for those of you who I didn’t get a chance to see before I left I just wanted to say goodbye. It was nice knowing you all.

Gosh it went by fast huh? Too fast.

-Sarah D.– Features (for the next hour)

Here’s the funny thing about good-byes:

You can see them coming, but when you actually have to say those two dreaded words. . . it’s never easy.

That’s how I feel today, with less than four hours left in my Oklahoman internship.

I couldn’t agree more with Richard and Dontay: This experience has been invaluable to me beyond words, and looking back now, I can’t believe how much I’ve learned.

Like I’ve told my editors, the only reason I came to Oklahoma was because of the glowing reputation for The Oklahoman’s internship program. I had no ties to this state, so there was no other incentive for me to come here. Yet I couldn’t be more glad with the choice I made! This internship program surpassed its great reputation, and I’ve found Oklahoma has the same “Midwestern nice” qualities I’ve been familiar with all my life, which is a comfort and a joy.

Like Richard, I also find myself wondering, “What if?” [What if I didn’t find the courage within to take risks and travel to places I’ve never been?] Well, then I’d certainly have regrets.

But that’s not the case. I’ve treasured every moment here in Oklahoma - even the stressful ones.

I came here wanting to improve my writing and gain experience in multimedia - and I feel like I did just that. Plus, I’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazingly talented reporters, editors and photographers, who’ve each helped me become a better journalist.

I’ll walk away from here with improved skills and new friendships that I hope will last. [That means you, fellow interns!]

It’s sad to be saying good-bye. But as I’ve been saying to my colleagues here, it’s only good-bye for now. This certainly won’t be the last you hear from me.

Thank you, Oklahoman, for everything you’ve given me this summer. It’s been a wonderful ride.

~ Kristen M. Daum, City Desk intern at The Oklahoman.

When today closes, the summer 2008 internship class at The Oklahoman officially graduates. It’s been about two months since the class first met at that oh-so-long one-two punch called orientation. I think it’s safe for me to speak for everyone when I say these two months have flown by. I also think it’s safe of me to speak for everyone when I say we’ll be walking out of here with a tighter grip on our craft. After all, that was the point of this internship.

As I sit in the newsroom at 7:50 a.m. this fine Friday, I find myself wondering “what if?” What if I never talked to Joe Hight, who mentioned an internship to me? What if I never acted on it? What if I went to college to study chemisty like I had planned? Oh, what ifs are fun to think about. But sometimes I’d rather not ask that question; I’d rather just relish in the moment.

This two-month period has been one gigantic moment, and I’ve relished it to the point of exhaustion.

There are no regrets from this intern. And to quote Bilbo Baggins: “I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” Kidding about the second part.

So, fellow interns, and even you, bosses and bigwigs: it’s been good. (And feel free to hire me at any time.)

-Richard Hall, NewsOK.com

The last days are upon us. Seems like it all just started and now everything is about to come to a screeching halt.

I can say that I’ve definitely enjoyed my time here. Heck, I enjoyed it so much I’m going to apply again for next year’s internship and try to come back and do it all over again (but that’s only if they didn’t get tired of seeing my face and I didn’t screw up too bad in this years internship!).

Whether I come back or not, I definitely learned a lot. Found out I’m a solid writer, but not nearly as good as I thought I was before I came here.

The experience of it all was great though. Covering events I’ve never covered before. Learning about sports that I’ve never even followed before and hardly know anything about. I also met so many new people and was able to go to so many different places I’ve never been before.  The most important thing is I know I became a better writer through all my experiences.

So now you’ve heard about me. What about you?

1.) How did you feel about the internship overall? Would you like to work for The Oklahoman in the future?

2.) What will be your lasting impressions of Oklahoma? What did you like and dislike about it? Did it match the stereotype you had in your mind before you came?

Thanks so much everyone! Good luck in your future journalism endeavors! Who knows, maybe one of us is the next Tim Russert or Barbara Walters or Stuart Scott or Keith Olbermann or …….??????????

- Dontay Allen, Sports

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the first business trip of my life, I’m writing you from the great Kansas City, Mo., which is the site of this year’s Big 12 football media days. The experience is beyond great, getting to meet and greet with the top athletes in the conference has been unlike anything else. Monday, I had a one-on-one interview with Heisman Trophy finalist Chase Daniel from MU. My hand even made it into this photo of K-State quarterback Josh Freeman (I’m so proud).

My main job here is talk to every player (which is about 35) about things in their life outside of football. I’m asking questions about their motivation, their family, their hometown and working their quotes into a segment called “Welcome to My World” in the paper. I’m also writing briefs and helping out wherever I can.

But perhaps the best experience has been watching other reporters at work. Some of the best writers in the country are here, including reporters from ESPN.com, The Dallas Morning News and The New York Times. Not to mention following our own reporters–Berry Tramel, Jake Trotter and Scott Wright–around like an annoying little brother. Just trying to soak it all in guys.

Oh, and, I must say, the only downside to this trip has been the extensive intake of food. I’m guaranteed to weigh about 10 pounds more than when I arrived. Fried chicken, pasta galore and more than my fair share of cinnamon rolls have doomed me to a wider waste.

– Mike Jeffries, Sports

Because He’s allowed this to be made:

What the heck.

I hope Toby Keith isn’t reading this, or he might put a boot in my…

—Richard Hall, NewsOK.com intern

Yesterday was a whirlwind of unexpected assignments - including a breaking news assignment to see the send-off of two OKC Red Cross volunteers who went to San Antonio to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly.

My editors received the news release from the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma at 4:01 p.m. — and the send-off was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Luckily, I didn’t have much to do yesterday evening, so my editors threw a camera in my hand and sent me on my way.

I sped down I-235 toward downtown, managed to find the Red Cross offices and get there in time to get the story. I was able to do a video interview with the Red Cross director and then talk with the couple that was volunteering.

It turned out to be a really sweet story to do — and it gave me one more opportunity to practice juggling a notebook or tape recorder and a video camera:

Unfortunately, there happened to be a lot of news for today’s Oklahoman so, for whatever reason, my 10-inch story had to be drastically cut down for the print edition.

This is the first time at The Oklahoman that I feel disappointed that one of my story’s was cut… but I understand it’s not my decision to make - it’s my editors. And these moments happen to every journalist.

While the newspaper offers readers a few paragraphs on this Oklahoma City couple and the video provides more depth to those bits - this blog gives me an alternative medium to share the whole story with you, as it was approved by my desk editors:

By Kristen M. Daum
Staff Writer

Dean and Bunnie Morgensen drove to San Antonio Tuesday in a red-and-white emergency response vehicle, ready to assist if Hurricane Dolly hits southern Texas.

The Oklahoma City couple has volunteered with the American Red Cross for 31/2 years. They have been on nearly 20 trips to natural disaster areas across the nation.

“We have a passion to help people,” said Bunnie Morgensen, 71. “It’s about the hugs, and holding hands, you maybe cry a little bit with ‘em and tell them, ‘This too shall pass.’”

The Morgensens decided early Tuesday they wanted to go to San Antonio in case Hurricane Dolly took a turn for the worse, said Vince Hernandez, chief executive of the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma.

“As an organization, we want to be sure we’re poised and ready to help anybody that might be affected by the storm,” Hernandez said. “If you wait a little bit too long, it can almost be too late.”

The Morgensens’ last trip with the American Red Cross was to assist flood victims in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They volunteered for 16 hours a day for 22 days, handing out nearly 9,000 meals.

“That minute we spend … to see them and give them a little relief … even a few seconds makes a big difference,” said Dean Morgensen, 82.

Bunnie Morgensen said past disaster victims have called them “angels” for the work they do.

“But I don’t think so,” she said. “We’re just happy to be doing what we’re doing.”

As Dean Morgensen organized supplies in the emergency response vehicle, his wife held a piece of paper with a quote by author Kenneth Blanchard that summed up why they spend their time in disaster zones.

“There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in something, you do it only when it is convenient. When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses.”

- - - - - 

It’s the new world of journalism: being able to offer news content through a variety of platforms.

~ Kristen M. Daum, City Desk intern at The Oklahoman.

I’m sure many of the interns are depressed that Friday is rapidly coming and that the sun is setting on our internships, but in the words of the latest Batman movie, “The night is always darkest just before the dawn.”

And the dawn — the light that will lead us to a new, happier day — is the new X-Files movie, “The X-Files: I Want To Believe,” which opens on Friday worldwide.

I’m so excited, I can’t even concentrate. I can’t type. I’ve been watching X-Files episodes non-stop until 3 am eveyr night. I’m totally considering leaving my long-term girlfriend — the best woman in the world — for the middle-aged (but unbelievably beautiful) Agent Scully.

But I digress. Please, PLEASE go see the movie on Friday. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never seen the show before. The movie it totally self-contained, with no background knowledge necessary. I promise you won’t regret it.

In the meantime, you can watch the trailer below.

– Jason Singer, Sports/Metro Intern

First board meeting for OKC Superintendent

   
Karl Springer started a new tradition for the Oklahoma City Board of Education tonight during his first board meeting as superintendent.

During each school board meeting, Springer wants time set aside for a “superintendent’s report” - which he says he’ll use to tell the public about what he’s been doing around the district. Springer said he requested this time and received unanimous support from the board members.

“We need to be transparent,” Springer said, during his first report to the board. “We want to cause everybody to rally around the students. . . My politics, my agenda is to make sure every child gets a quality education.”

School board chairman Al Basey applauded Springer’s work during his first six days in the superintendent’s role, calling him “the greatest advocate of employees and kids we’ve ever had in our district.”

As Springer was introduced during the meeting, he received a lively applause from parents and community members in the audience.

Springer appeared enthused about his new role - describing with excitement the various things he’s done during his brief time with the district: media interviews, visits to schools and speaking at the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

As several parents and family members of Classen SAS students spoke about the administration issues at the school, Springer sat attentively and seemed interested and responsive in the parents’ feedback.

~ Kristen M. Daum, City Desk intern at The Oklahoman (reporting for The Oklahoman’s Wendy Kleinman).

** Also featured on NewsOK’s Education Station blog.

Was hilarious! Especially since we have so many sports fans on this blog, you guys have to check this out. Justin Timberlake is the host, and although I don’t care for his music, it turns out that he has quite the since of humor. Even some of the people he is insulting are laughing! He talks about celebs’ jail time, some of their um….”intimate details.”

I think this is a classic example of celebs’ ambition to try anything on stage, not just music. In JT’s case, it turned out very well! So, here is the link…

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eUjP6emIOKc

 Monica Albert, Metro Desk intern