Day 1

I was so excited to begin my week with Dallas Morning News! Today at 8:30 am, I met with Cheryl Hall, who is a columnist for the business section, and a fellow senior from Hockaday carrying out her senior project this week as well. We were then driven downtown and learned about Cheryl's career working as an intern, turned reporter, turned columnist at The News.  Just listening to Cheryl rave about working and exclaiming that she would rather work in the newsroom then her home made me anxious to see what it would be like.  We then met many influential editors and columnists in the business department. Afterward, I sat down with Cheryl as we talked about my interest in journalism and why I should pursue my passion at Dallas Morning News.

After receiving a tour of the different newsrooms and studios, I attended the business editors meeting with my mentor, Laura Jacobus, at 9:45 am. I was taught how the business section works, what is published on certain days, and that mistakes do happen...(the meeting centered on the fact that due to a printing error, the same page 5D was printed in Saturday and Sunday's copies of the News).  The deputy business editor, Janie L. Paleschic, then brought me to her office and pitched me one of her ideas for a story to be carried out on the 10th anniversary of September 11th. She wanted to get my ideas and opinions in what the article should focus on and if she should interview people my age and younger to get a different perspective on the manner. I voiced my opinions and she said that I was very helpful, which meant a lot to me.


I then was sent to a different newsroom to the Problem Solver column. I was introduced to countless people (many whom I don't remember their names...) I did get the opportunity to meet and talk to Steve Blow! I read his columns and felt as though I was meeting a celebrity. ...And then I was set to work! The Problem Solver column solves people's problems who call in and complain about an issue. The calls have backed up to March, so I was given a sheet of names and numbers and told to call people back to get all the details of the problem, so that the staff writer of Problem Solver, Katie Fairbank, can have the potential to print the solved problem in the paper.  I made phone calls and took notes until when Laura and Cheryl treated me to lunch at 12:30 pm.

After lunch at 1:30, Cheryl took me on an interview and photoshoot! The interviewees were Jeff and Rick Kurz, who founded Kurz Group, Inc (a company that provides property tax services). I got to watch the entire interview and even ask a few of my own questions on record.  We then ventured outside where I aided the photographer in shooting pictures of Jeff and Rick for the story.

KURZ GROUP, INC:    http://www.kurzgroup.com/staff.htm


At 4:30, the day ended and I was sent home which was upsetting..I'm loving every aspect of journalism and the newsroom! I can't wait for the rest of the week!