So you want to be a journalist?

The 70's video has an interesting start. The Alphabet. 26 letters and 5 vouls sometimes 6 if you include the letter Y. The heart of the newspaper is the "news room." During this time many reporters covered areas such as local government offices, airports, train stations, and for beginners the police stations. The reporter sends to a "re write writer" whom gets paid more and types the story out. Then it is sent to an editor. During this time it was a huge competetion for women to compete with male reporters. Today I would think there are more female reporters and news anchors than male. If you do not like to write DO NOT BE IN JOURNALISM!

Feature Story

Kristen Nieslawski

November 29, 2011

Comm 337

            September 11, 2001 was a day the world stopped turning for the United States of America. In the thousands that died that day only 19 deserved to die. Mohamed Atta, Waleed Al-Shehri, Wail Al-Shehri, Abdulaziz al-Omari , and Satam Al-Suqami are six of the nineteen that earned to die. The families that endured pain and sorrow because of the hijackers have been scarred for life. I have interviewed a few families who have personally been affected by the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01.

Andrea Carabin, an east coast native who has lived in New Jersey her whole life, lives and teachers about twenty miles out from Manhattan, New York. She will never forget the day the United States was attacked. It was one of the most beautiful days for the end of the summer because of the blue sky, low humidity and temperture in the 70's. The day started like every other school day, kids filing into class, teachers preparing their lesson plans, and the cafeteria prepping lunch. Andrea, an 8th grade teacher of World Cultures, mentioned that on clear days “we can see the Twin Towers (World Trade Center) and the Empire State Building. We can probably see through a haze on cloudy days too.”
            It was 1st period when the gym teacher walked into Andrea’s class and whispered into her ear that a plane flew into the Towers. Her initial thought was what everyone else was thinking, it was merely an accident. “I had a "prep" period and went into the Media Center because teachers were starting to congregate there watching the T.V. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Smoke was pouring from both buildings, people running all around outside the Towers. I actually ran outside to the back of the school and called my husband. While I was out there, I could see the smoke billowing from the East. That’s when I heard the second plane hit. I went back inside and heard gossiping amongst the faculty.  Saw that the second plane had hit and it was the roar that sounded like thunder I heard outside.” Smoke filled the air, Andrea, like the rest of America was a frantic mess. “I kept telling myself to get a grip. I had to pull myself together because I had students coming into my classroom in five minutes.” Andrea collected her thoughts and emotions and finished out her day.

          When the day was over Andrea made it home to wait for her oldest son to get off the school bus. He came off with an odd look on his face. He was only in 3rd grade and she knew she had some explaining to do. First he wanted to know why numerous parents came to pick up their children and why didn't she come get him. Then he wanted to know what happened. “Try explaining to your three kids( a five year old and two year old as well) in terms they could understand, that some people in this world don't like the U. S, and they were angry enough to make a statement. I tried to make them understand, like I tried with my classes, that all people in this world are different. It's ok to be different, but you also have to accept the differences in people and be understanding. We all eat different food, believe different opinions, wear different clothing, and listen to different music and there is nothing wrong with that.” The worst was trying to explain why their father wasn’t home from work yet.
         “My husband, an ophthalmologist, was on call at the hospital. Even though it's in New Jersey, all doctors had to stay for trauma (as you all know, there ended up being no trauma. Most perished in the building!). I was home with my 3 small children and I was scared! As we were in front of the house talking with neighbors, two fighter jets arose from what seemed like right behind our house. I felt like we could wave to the pilot. They were sent from a nearby airport to protect the Hudson River area and patrol it. I grabbed my kids and went into my basement where we stayed all night and watched the Disney channel. The sight of watching the news and horrifying sight of the towers being attacked was enough for me. I can go on and on about all the stories of students who lost parents, family members, and friends. We heard the stories of people right at the scene who witnessed others jumping out of the windows. The stories seemed never ending and each and every one of them was horrible.” September 11, 2001 started off like every other day. To this day, every time there's a bright blue cloudless sky, many people from the miles around the city will tell you that it reminds them of is the horror of that once beautiful day.

            Andrea was affected by the 9-11-01 tragedies being so close to home. There are other families who were and still are affected even though they are half way across the country. I interviewed a fellow class mate who has had to play the single parent role in the first year of her son’s life due to her husband being deployed for the war on terrorism.  Glenna and Jake Carlberg’s son Ian was born November 23, 2010. Jake, a husband and loving father wasn't able to be there to witness his first born son’s birth because he was on duty as security in Iraq. “The time frame was one of that hardest things I have ever had to go through.” Not only was Jake not around for the support, but he wasn't there for the experience either. Glenna was in labor for three days, vomiting with every contraction. By the time Glenna was ready to start push, she was so exhausted that it caused complications. Ian’s heart-rate started to drop and an emergency c-section was mandatory. “That time in my life all I needed was my husband there with me. Even if it was just to hold my hand and hear "everything is going to be okay!" Many times if a soon to be new father is not present for the birth it was by choice. My husband's was not. He was off fighting in a country half way across the world. Not only was he not there for the birth, but he missed out on the first twelve months of our son's life. From the day Ian was born until his dad returned home, I was doing it all alone. I never got to sleep through the night, or hand him off just for a quick nap. When my son slept, I slept. It takes a toll on a parent to have a child in general especially when he is your first. Not only are you learning how to adjust and take care of them, but you're doing it all alone.” Not only was it a struggle physically, but it's a struggle emotionally as well. Glenna is glad that there was SKYPE so Jake and Ian could interact as much as possible. However, we all know it is not the same seeing your first child through a computer screen rather than holding them in your arms.

            It is obvious to see that 9-11-01 has taken a toll on people close to our hearts and Americans across the country. According to AntiWar.Com, since the war started March of 2003 there have been nearly 7,000 fatalities and around 34,000 wounded American soldiers in the War on Terrorism. That is 41.000 husbands, wives, children, family, and friends who have also been affected by the tragedies that occurred nearly a decade ago on September 11, 2001.