Media Writing #3
February 5th, 2009 by Alexandra received 3 Comments »The Journalism Department at the University of Memphis might be sad to see Lauren Stallings go. Since her parents were educators involved in politics and her grandfather was a journalist, Stallings thought she would follow in her family’s footsteps. She was surrounded by journalism as a child and only thought it was fitting for her to make herself known in the world she so fondly knew. Now, she doesn’t think she can sit idly and write stories on terrible events. Instead, she wants to get involved with social events and non-profit organizations – something that she might not be able to do as a print journalist.
Since politics have always been a part of her life, Stallings is leaning strongly towards political science. When asked what she’d want to do with that degree, she mentioned just a few causes off the top of her head she’d want to help with: “the AIDS crisis in Africa, the conflict in Gaza…” And it’s not like she doesn’t have experience working for a cause. She currently volunteers with Meals on Wheels, an organization that is committed to delivering food to seniors and reducing the isolation felt by many seniors living alone. She was also a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, the oldest and largest youth mentoring program in the United States.
After being asked if she’d continue her higher education by attending graduate school, she shakes her head, saying, “I’m just ready to get out there and help.” She has big dreams: wanting to help with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an issue that she feels passionate about; helping Memphis literacy programs for children and adults; and maybe even dancing professionally on the side. Stallings might be leaving the Journalism Department, but she will definitely be at home wherever she decides to go.
Tags: class exercise, media writing
Posted under: Media Writing Class
Hey Alex–
Today we read our classmate’s blogs and were told to leave some advice.
This is a great, well-structured article with some really good details, so I just wanted to correct a couple of descrepancies. My mother was a teacher, but my father isn’t. Also, my grandfather wasn’t a trained journalist, he was a college professor who worked with the Memphis City Council to integrate the city’s schools. He did, though, write a few articles and columns on race relations during that time. And I would love to get my masters degree if I can afford to go to college for an extra couple of years, haha.
Great piece though, and I love all of the diverse content on your blog!
Lauren
Hey Lauren! Thanks for the corrections. It’s a bit harder to go by memory and notes than if we had a recorder. (Also didn’t help that I came in late,had to interview you off the cuff, and in a short time frame.)
Thanks again!
I understand completely, and the corrections I had for you had nothing to do with your writing so I would probably be the only person to notice them : )
Great work!