The Advanced News and Feature Writing class was an amazing
experience. I feel as if I learned so much in just four months. Covering the
transgender community of Northern Colorado opened my eyes to a community that
goes through so much in order to be happy. Not only did I learn exactly what it
means to be transgender, but also I was able to get to know the transition
process inside and out.
I
came into the class wanting to sharpen my writing, editing, and reporting
skills and I feel as if I did just that. Besides conducting interviews and
tying together stories, I learned how to capture the reader’s attention, and
deliver controversial stories that were both educational and heartfelt. I would
say my favorite story to write was my profile story on Ariel Armelino, the
partner of a transgender man named Collin Eagen. With Armelino’s cooperation, I
was able to tell the other side of the story; the partner’s transition, too.
I
think what was most difficult for me was making sure I could tell stories that
were both interesting and informal, yet controversial and would cause readers
to think. I didn’t want to be repetitive with my stories, so I tried my hardest
to tell stories that hadn’t been told. I think I did a good job of this, and I
was able to get really in depth with my stories.
