Writing + News Gathering
Yearbook Writing
About: In this story I focused on the reconstruction of the band for the state performance. I didn't know much about marching band, but using resources in yearbook I got stats and factual content I needed for the story. I also used the band's website to gather results. I flowed this story in chronological order with how the band was before the competition and moved towards their performance at state. This page ended allowed for great visual-verbal bringing the reader from the photo to the headline to the text.
About: This story took a different turn and became a news story as my partner Renn Oberdick and I thought this could tell the story more effectively. We researched the background of this play and the main character on bio.com. We wanted to make sure our story reflected accurate facts. We reflected AP style rules and used proper sources for research. After writing our story and gathering facts, we learned Eva Peron is an anti-heroin and used it within the headline.
About: When first creating this piece my partner, Diego Salisbury, and I went for a spread with one story contributing both sides. After some reconsideration and suggestions from our adviser, I decided to split the page, go along with the name and create two stories reflecting both sides of the digital split. This involved a lot of external sources around campus, including our principal and tech coordinator. Telling the story with two different teachers and students who were about the same age posed difficulties. Getting these two different sides from interviewing allowed us to stay unbiased and tell the "divide" from both sides.
Web Writing | See also Web
Mock DUI exhibits reality for students
About: Using an abundance of local sources I wrote about the life-changing event that takes place on campus every other year. This is a serious event that highlights the risks of drinking and driving.
Sources: Orlando Fire Department Battalion chief Mark Smothers; SAFE Counselor Rebecca Poffenberger, Students: Malik Johnson, Jacqueline Peloso
Sources: Orlando Fire Department Battalion chief Mark Smothers; SAFE Counselor Rebecca Poffenberger, Students: Malik Johnson, Jacqueline Peloso
Cop cars, fire trucks and emergency responders crowded the football field on April 15 as the biannual mock DUI accident occurred.
Assistant Principal Carlota Mendoza-Iglesias, Rebecca Poffenberger, drama students and the Orlando Fire Department collaborated to create a real life situation of what can happen when someone drives under the influence.“I believe this is really important; a lot of teens feel they are invincible in situations and this is not the case,” Poffenberger said. Fifteen drama students, playing different roles, partook in the mock accident. Junior Alexander Cumming and senior Jacqueline Peloso, lead actors, portrayed a mock storyline of their prom experience. The “night” began with Cumming picking up Peloso and driving to prom. On their way home, an intoxicated Cumming, hit a car head-on. |
“I don’t think enough people think about the things that can happen if they drive intoxicated, so it was good to [show them] what happens,” Peloso said.
After hearing a loud crash sound, simulated by Orange County Arson and Bomb Squad, reality set in amongst the observers.
“When the crashed happened I heard the boom and I felt goosebumps run down my body as I really began to comprehend what had just happened,” senior Malik Johnson said.
Moments later emergency crews responded driving onto the football field. Battalion chief Mark Smothers narrated the crash telling the student witnesses what occurred on and off a crash site and the dangers of driving under the influence.
“I really hope students take away that life has choices, there are good choices that lead to rewards and poor choices that lead to consequences,” Smothers said.
After first responders examined one car, they discovered a dead passenger, Peloso. To save a victim in the other car, responders cut off the roof in hopes of saving the passengers. Firefighters removed senior Tanner Kaiser and junior Kathleen McCree from the car and transported them to Orange County Regional Medical Center.
“It was all done so realistically that you would actually understand the consequences if this really happened,” Peloso said.
Minutes later fire fighters removed Peloso from the car and put her into a body bag. A Florida Highway Patrol officer then visited Peloso’ home to let her parents know the devastating news. Emotion hung over the crowd as Ms. Peloso drove off in the back of the patrol car in tears to identify her dead daughter.
“When the officer walked into the house to tell the parents about their daughter’s death the realness set in,” Johnson said. “You really see how much a decision like this can affect your family.”
Students walked out in awe as they saw Peloso’s casket with a picture of her displaying “1998-2016” beneath it.
“This was a real deal thing, it’s not something you can teach in a lecture,” Poffenberger said. “I really hope students take it seriously and see what can happen if you make the decision to drive under the influence.”
Click here to check out photos from the Mock DUI. The next Mock DUI will be in spring of 2019 with the class of 2018 and 2019.
After hearing a loud crash sound, simulated by Orange County Arson and Bomb Squad, reality set in amongst the observers.
“When the crashed happened I heard the boom and I felt goosebumps run down my body as I really began to comprehend what had just happened,” senior Malik Johnson said.
Moments later emergency crews responded driving onto the football field. Battalion chief Mark Smothers narrated the crash telling the student witnesses what occurred on and off a crash site and the dangers of driving under the influence.
“I really hope students take away that life has choices, there are good choices that lead to rewards and poor choices that lead to consequences,” Smothers said.
After first responders examined one car, they discovered a dead passenger, Peloso. To save a victim in the other car, responders cut off the roof in hopes of saving the passengers. Firefighters removed senior Tanner Kaiser and junior Kathleen McCree from the car and transported them to Orange County Regional Medical Center.
“It was all done so realistically that you would actually understand the consequences if this really happened,” Peloso said.
Minutes later fire fighters removed Peloso from the car and put her into a body bag. A Florida Highway Patrol officer then visited Peloso’ home to let her parents know the devastating news. Emotion hung over the crowd as Ms. Peloso drove off in the back of the patrol car in tears to identify her dead daughter.
“When the officer walked into the house to tell the parents about their daughter’s death the realness set in,” Johnson said. “You really see how much a decision like this can affect your family.”
Students walked out in awe as they saw Peloso’s casket with a picture of her displaying “1998-2016” beneath it.
“This was a real deal thing, it’s not something you can teach in a lecture,” Poffenberger said. “I really hope students take it seriously and see what can happen if you make the decision to drive under the influence.”
Click here to check out photos from the Mock DUI. The next Mock DUI will be in spring of 2019 with the class of 2018 and 2019.
Softball defeats Apopka in a close game
About: While softball is not my forte, I quickly learned about the sport through other staffers and online research. I focused on reporting the game and using stats from my live tweets to help write this post-game wrap-up.
Sources: Lara Dusing, student; online scores from MaxPreps.com
Sources: Lara Dusing, student; online scores from MaxPreps.com
On Friday night, Feb. 19, the Braves softball team took on the Apopka High School (5-2) Blue Darters at home.
Junior Karla Plogstet kicked off the game striking out Apopka’s first two batters. In the second inning the outfield stayed alert and alive. They kept the Darters from scoring with an out from senior Megan Sexton on an Apopka steal. In the first three innings of the game, the teams remained in a stalemate and neither managed to score any runs. At the top of the forth inning Apopka nailed two line drives bringing in two runs making the score 0-2. |
In the fifth inning the Braves let another run slip giving Apopka a substantial lead, 0-3. Under pressure, Lara Dusing knocked the ball to the outfield bringing in a run making the score 1-3. Moments later still needing to get runs on the board the Lady Braves were able to load the bases. Meghan Mansfield took a walk to first forcing Caroline Suggs home for a run to bring the score to 2-3. Next up to bat was Junior Kelsi Smith who hit a double bringing, Sexton and junior Adriana Garip home leaving the game at a 4-3 lead heading into the sixth inning.
In the sixth inning the team racked in three easy outs sending Apopka back to the field keeping the 4-3 lead. They played strong defense and ended the game 4-3.
The Lady Braves are 4-1 for the season. Their next game is at home Tuesday, Feb. 23, at home against Lake Howell.
In the sixth inning the team racked in three easy outs sending Apopka back to the field keeping the 4-3 lead. They played strong defense and ended the game 4-3.
The Lady Braves are 4-1 for the season. Their next game is at home Tuesday, Feb. 23, at home against Lake Howell.
Softball suppresses Cypress Creek in District Semifinal
About: After learning more about softball this web story was easier for me to write. I sat in the dugout live tweeting the game so when I went home I wrote the wrap-up of the game accurately and professionally. From my first wrap-up to this one there is greater in-depth game descriptions.
Sources: Lara Dusing, student; online scores from MaxPreps.com
Sources: Lara Dusing, student; online scores from MaxPreps.com
On Tuesday night, April 13, the Braves softball team (20-3) took on the Cypress Creek High School (7-15) Bears at home.
The team started the night with three quick outs from junior Kelsi Smith, sophomore Lara Dusing, junior Karla Plogstedt. In the bottom of the first inning junior Adriana Garip hit a deep dinger for a double then came in seconds later on another double by Smith. In the second inning, Cypress Creek came back out to the field strong but the Lady Braves swiped three more quick outs. In the bottom, Dusing made a crucial move hitting a single then stealing second and third leading to a run. Moments later senior Meghan Mansfield blasted a line drive to the outfield for a double. Mansfield sent two runners home making the score 4-0. |
Cypress Creek did not make any runs in the first two innings, leaving the score 4-0.
In the third inning defense kept their heads up with a double play from Smith and freshman Avery Clark. In the bottom, junior Elizabeth Wills hit a double sending sophomore Rachael Carroll home for run making the score 5-0.
In the forth inning, offense racked in runs. Megan Sexton scored a run on a dropped pop fly while Wills hit a triple sending three runners home. Minutes later sophomore Kathleen Cairns hit a single bringing in two runners. On top of that, Sexton then nailed a line drive over the left field fence for a home run. Mansfield brought in two runners with her making the score 14-0.
The team lead 14-0 going into fifth inning.
In the fifth inning Cypress Creek was not able to score causing the game to end on a run rule. The Lady Braves beat Cypress Creek, 14-0.
On Thursday, April 14, the Lady Braves (21-3) have a home game against Freedom (12-9) for the district championship title at 7 p.m.
In the third inning defense kept their heads up with a double play from Smith and freshman Avery Clark. In the bottom, junior Elizabeth Wills hit a double sending sophomore Rachael Carroll home for run making the score 5-0.
In the forth inning, offense racked in runs. Megan Sexton scored a run on a dropped pop fly while Wills hit a triple sending three runners home. Minutes later sophomore Kathleen Cairns hit a single bringing in two runners. On top of that, Sexton then nailed a line drive over the left field fence for a home run. Mansfield brought in two runners with her making the score 14-0.
The team lead 14-0 going into fifth inning.
In the fifth inning Cypress Creek was not able to score causing the game to end on a run rule. The Lady Braves beat Cypress Creek, 14-0.
On Thursday, April 14, the Lady Braves (21-3) have a home game against Freedom (12-9) for the district championship title at 7 p.m.