Anecdote

Posted on November 29, 2019 ·

It’s the little things when it comes to Josephine Becker. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas had her life switched up at age 17 when her parents decided to move to Santa Barbara, California.

“It was one of the worst experiences of my life at the time.” She explained, readjusting her short blonde hair compared to her medium length hair she had when she was a teenager.

Josephine–or Jo to the world w played basketball on elite select teams growing up, she wanted to play for the University of Arkansas before the move.

Her test scores were all laid out, playing time, stat requirements, meetings, practices, all of it was on her to do list to be able to play division 1 basketball for her home state. She ended up not living out her plans due to the transferring and the stress of the move on her goals.

Her eyes shine when she speaks of California, how that particular house and the beach only a few hundred yards away brought her to her current husband, Louis.

When they met on the beach it wasn’t love at first sight, in fact, Jo gave him a stiff punch on the jaw. The reason being, Louis’ friend group at the time were being “creeps” and purposefully annoying Jo and her friend just to cause them “sexual tension.”

“They were annoying at the very beginning, but when I got hurt that same day those five idiots showed me the different sides of them that I’ve kept around to this day. That day we became friends.”

Her story is one people ought to get to know, it’s cute, touching and life changing.

Filed Under: Class Work

News Comment #14: “Ohio High School Plans to Drug-Test All Students at Least Once a Year.”

Posted on November 22, 2019 ·

Administrators at Stephen T. Badin High School in Hamilton, Ohio announces plans to testing its students for drugs and nicotine in an effort discourage drug use and vaping.

In a letter to parents this week, the drug-testing program that has been an undergoing project in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will begin in January 2020. Students will be tested at least once a year for illicit drugs, alcohol, nicotine and other banned substances.

Students are required to consent to the test as a condition of their enrollment for the school. The potential consequences for violating the drug policy include suspension and expulsion.

I really liked the idea of this article and it was well written. The pyramid criteria I feel was met for the most part. Towards the end it mentioned how many students would need to be tested at the school, 622 students. I feel that should be more at the top with the enrollment paragraph.

Filed Under: News Comments

News Comment #13: “The Llama as Therapist.”

Posted on November 14, 2019 ·

In Stockdale, Texas a 300-pound llama strolls through the corridors of the local nursing home, lowering its heads to be petted by residents in wheelchairs and pausing patiently to take selfies.

Tic, a white male llama owned by Zoe Rutledge is one of 13 llamas owned by the Rutledge family. Tic and two other members his herd have passed the qualifying exam necessary to become registered therapy llamas. It’s a test that involves being touched by strangers and remaining impassive when people nearby start arguing.

Zoe and her family chose the animals they take to assisted living facilities, nursing and veterans’ homes, rehabilitation centers and walk-a-thons for groups like the Down Syndrome Association of South Texas.

I liked the creativity of this story but the organization is all wrong. It gave no background to the owner and the family, and the other facilities they go to. The important facts that piece the story together are all at the bottom when it should the top with the leads.

Filed Under: News Comments

Description

Posted on November 14, 2019 ·

I walked into Intro to Dance late this morning, I signed my name on the attendance sheet then proceeded to sit in my usual spot. My spot is the wall to the right hand side of the class room where I sit next to Sabrina Creason. Sabrina is a sophomore who plays setter on the volleyball team. We’ve sat next to each other in this class since the beginning of the semester.

The class was pointless like normal so Sabrina and I walked back to the Poppen Apartments together since we both lived in the same complex. I waited for for Sabrina to put on her white and gray north face coat, then she proceeded to pull her light brown hair out of the hood so it could fall below her shoulders.

Our walk was short but cold. Sabrina mentioned how this weekend football game should be fun.

“It should be a closer game since Northwestern isn’t terrible. Maybe we’ll win by 30 instead of 60.” She laughed carefree.

We walked in step wearing similar clothing, leggings and coats. Yet Sabrina chose to wear white boots made from Sperry. Interesting since there wasn’t snow on the ground you could never be too sure with this Iowa weather.

As we got to the door she took out her flowered lanyard and we went inside. When she said goodbye I noticed her voice sounded stuffy, like she’s been fighting a cold. The inside lighting brought my attention to how pale her skin was out I the cold weather, brightening her brown eyes.

Filed Under: Class Work

Story #3 Final

Posted on November 13, 2019 ·

Good evening and welcome to tonight’s Morningside student podcast; sponsored by Oreos, “Milks favorite cookie.

The traditional Thanksgiving season has begun and the war on turkey’s has just been declared in Omaha, Nebraska. The annual Turkey War is a competition between two neighbors who live near Willow Creek Drive and Borman Street, it’s consisted of inflatable turkeys in their front yards. 

You’ll find 40 inflatable turkeys decorating the two lawns this time of the year. Native of Omaha, Katherine Wurtz, a Sophomore here at Morningside, gave the low down on the Turkey War. 

“It’s funny to see because turkey’s cover their whole yard! All the grass is covered when it hits November first.”

Each yard is equipped with 20 sitting turkey’s including one six-foot-tall inflatable in the back. 

In the end, it’s said the winner gets bragging rights until the next year when the cycle starts over again. 

Our second story is brought to you by Kleenex, Ultra Soft.

Do you use the app TikTok? Or know some who watches or creates them?

TikTok has been growing more popular among U.S. teenagers at a time of growing tensions between the United States and China over trade and technology transfers. According to the creators of TikTok, sixty percent of its 26.5 million active users a month in the United States are between the ages of 16 and 24.

Reason for the investigation into the app, is that the government is concerned if the Chinese company may be censoring politically sensitive content. There is also alarming concern about how TikTok stores a users personal data.

Josie Baxter, also a sophomore here at M’side, is an avid TikTok viewer. When asked what she thinks about the hacking rumors and her personal information. Her answer was simple, “I don’t think an app used by eight through 22 year olds can be trying to hack the government when half of the users don’t know what’s going on politically anyway.”

TikTok says China does not have jurisdiction over content of the app, and promises U.S. user data is stored in the United States only. Leaving no room for Chinese censorship over the app.

Our last story for our podcast tonight is sponsored by Goldfish, “The snack that smiles back.” 

‘Tis the season to officially hang up lights and enjoy an Eggnog Latte: kiss the pumpkin spice goodbye and reel in the signature Starbucks Red Holliday Cups.

This Thursday the international coffee chain makes its transition from fall flavors to focusing on Peppermint Mochas and Hot Chocolate. The Holliday season isn’t here unless the new Red Cups come inside.

Madisyn Heeren, a Starbucks addict here at Morningside is one of the many ones excited for the Red Cup Holliday Season to begin. “This is the best time of the year because it’s officially time for Christmas!”

Four different Holliday designs will be introduced this year, including classic red, white and green patterns, making the cup look almost like a present. Each cup has its own name for a signature twist on your order.

The official names of the four cups are Polka Dots, Merry Dance, Merry Stripes and Candy Cane Stripes. 

The countdown to red cup season has been an anticipating event on the web as customers watch the hours dwindle down. 

That’s all for tonight’s podcast stories brought to by the previous sponsors. Thank you all for listening and have a good evening. 

Filed Under: Class Work, Interviews

Home is Where Hart Is.

Posted on November 8, 2019 ·

If you ever find yourself in Omaha, Nebraska you have to let Kassidy Hart show you the coolest spots around town. The malls, the zoo, movie theatres, Kassidy knows them all. 

To recognize Kassidy, her hair goes neatly down to her shoulders and seems to have an automatic pep in her step. She’s returned for her sophomore year at Morningside majoring in English, in hopes of one day becoming an English teacher. In addition to that, Kassidy participates in Theatre here on campus and plays Tennis for the Mustangs. 

As much as she loves being here at Morningside Kassidy is a bighome body. One of the many pleasures she misses from home is a meal cooked by her family. Her menu of choice, always is a big steak and potatoes. “I miss it a lot,” She would smile sadly. She mentioned how her dad buys “the whole cow” from the butcher for her and 2 younger brothers. 

Kassidy admits she’s not the best cook, so she helps her mom with the cleaning to contribute to the home care effort. 

Home cooked meals and shopping is favorite passed time. While being home Kassidy spends a lot of time with her boyfriend. When they’re together they go shopping, she casually dropped the hint they do it a lot. Ask her where all best shopping is she’ll take you to WestRoads Mall, it’s the biggest mall in Omaha. 

You also might make a stop at the movie theatre by her home, the seats have reclining features. In addition, if it’s Tuesday, Kassidy will take you along for the $5 Tuesday Special.  

Along with your new set of clothes and large movie Slurpee, you have to see the Omaha Zoo. It’s one of Kassidy’s favorite places to go, “It’s so fun to go in the Summer.” Kassidy grew up dreaming of working at the zoo, especially in the nursery with all the cute baby animals. Before she could apply, her older sister worked at the concessions there and said it was not fun. Not loving the job was enough to persuade Kassidy to not apply. 

Instead of working she just goes and sees all of her favorite animals. One of her go to spots are the penguins, she described them as so cute sitting on their rock waddling around. The penguins can’t compete with the baby monkeys, “They’re the best.” they are her absolute favorite animal at the zoo. 

As the Kassidy Hart Omaha express tour reaches a close, it’s obvious that at the end of the day what you do with your time at home is what makes it special. 

Kassidy makes it clear there’s nothing she loves better than being at home with family and friends. But she’s also glad she’s here at Morningside making a new family on the Tennis Team, the classroom and in the Theatre. She makes it a home away from home. 

Filed Under: Interviews

News Comment #12: “The Real Queen of Wellness.”

Posted on November 7, 2019 ·

Tracee Ellis Ross, an actress on “Black-ish,” and executive producer on the spinoff “Mixed-ish.” As of last month, beauty entrepreneur, wanted to talk about what wellness means to her. In September, Ross released a hair care line, which features 3 different conditioners for varieties of curl patterns, a cleanser, serums made with luxurious oils, and hair tools.

 “At 18, I woke up like this,” she said. “At 46, I care for it.”

I liked this article but the author did a poor job in making it really attention grabbing. The lead was good but its following paragraphs were very bland. There wasn’t a lot of background, and the real WHY of the story. Interesting topic but it doesn’t really hit the lines of an interesting story.

Filed Under: News Comments

Story #3: Broadcast Stories (Rough Drafts)

Posted on November 6, 2019 ·
  1. https://www.foxnews.com/world/australia-rare-purebred-dingo-eagle

Ever wish a rare dingo purebred pup gets dropped from the sky into your backyard? No? This Australian family didn’t either.

Jane Guiney, found a young, stray puppy whimpering in her backyard. She suspected the furry creature was a dog or a fox and was dropped on the ground by an eagle flying by.

The puppy is actually a rare purebred dingo. Which is an endangered wild dog breed in Australia.

The puppy was discovered in Wandiligong, which is in the state of Victoria, around 200 miles northeast of Melbourne. The Guiney family provided care for the dog before taking it to a veterinarian to be treated for injuries. There it was determined the dog was actually a dingo.

Its DNA was tested for confirmation of its breed, and while they awaited results, the pup was taken to the Australian Dingo Foundation sanctuary. The results from the test concluded the dingo is a purebred Victorian Highlands Dingo

The dingo has since been named “Wandi,” and is fitting in at the sanctuary, according to foundation director.

2. https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/u-s-opens-national-security-investigation-tiktok-sources-say-n1075211

Do you use the app TikTok? Or know some who watches or creates them?

TikTok has been growing more popular among U.S. teenagers at a time of growing tensions between the United States and China over trade and technology transfers. According to the creators of TikTok, sixty percent of its 26.5 million active users a month in the United States are between the ages of 16 and 24.

The U.S. government has launched a national security review of TikTok owner Beijing ByteDance Technology Company’s $1 billion acquisition of the U.S. social media app Musical.ly that was purchased two years ago.

Reason for the investigation into the app, is that the government is concerned if the Chinese company may be censoring politically sensitive content. There is also alarming concern about how TikTok stores a users personal data.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has started to review the Musical.ly deal. Sources confirm TikTok did not seek clearance from CFIUS when it purchased Musical.ly, which gives the U.S. security permission to investigate it now.

TikTok says China does not have jurisdiction over content of the app, and promises U.S. user data is stored in the United States only. Leaving no room for Chinese censorship over the app.

3. https://www.usatoday.com/videos/money/food/2019/11/06/starbucks-signature-red-cups-holiday-drinks-comeback/2512431001/

‘Tis the season to officially hang up lights and enjoy an Eggnog Latte: kiss the pumpkin spice goodbye and reel in the signature Starbucks Red Holliday cups.

This Thursday the international coffee chain makes its transition from fall flavors to focusing on Peppermint Mochas and Hot Chocolate. The Holliday season isn’t here unless the new red cups come inside.

Four different Holliday designs will be introduced this year, including classic red, white and green patterns, making the cup look almost like a present. Each cup has its own name for a signature twist on your order.

The official names of the four cups are Polka Dots, Merry Dance, Merry Stripes and Candy Cane Stripes. According to Starbucks, they designed the cups this year to “evoke mini moments of joy.”

The countdown to red cup season has been an anticipating event on the web as customers watch the hours dwindle down. The wait for the Holliday season is over and it looks like the wait for a Venti Peppermint Mocha in a Merry Dance cup is over too.

Filed Under: Class Work