Only two months into my sophomore year, I was asked to co-anchor the Student Television Network's 49 News primetime show. I couldn't be more thankful to the producers for this amazing opportunity. I've put a lot of time into this student-run network since beginning my college career. From filming packages and segments between classes and editing into the wee hours of the morning to booking talent for our live interviews, I've been committed since day one. With a passion for journalism and a go-getter mindset, I never stop until I reach my goals. I believe that it's very important to take advantage of all the resources your college or university has to offer and I can't wait until my experience pays off in the post-college world of media. 

My intercollegiate figure skating teammates and I are looking to raise money to fund our season. After winning nationals for the 3rd year in a row, we are seeking another title on home ice this April. In order to be successful, we need to raise awareness about our team to our communities. 

I recently assisted our fundraising chair with making a video to kickstart our crowdfunding project. A combination of Final Cut Pro and iMovie was used in this production. The purpose of this video is to promote our team to large amounts of people, in hopes of fundraising for our season. 

I enjoy working on projects like this because I get to put my media skills to use, while benefiting something that is close to my heart. The dream job after all is to jump into the mass communications field after graduating college, while still keeping figure skating in my life. 

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I'm sure that many college students can relate to feeling overwhelmed when trying to fit in time in between classes for homework, extra-curriculars, friends, and more. It's a busy lifestyle that often leaves me feeling all over the place. With back-to-back classes followed by back-to-back club meetings or figure skating practices, it's hard pencil in time to relax or let alone sleep. I write articles for the student run fashion magazine at my university as well as the faculty senate newsletter. On top of that, you'll usually see me fleeing off to the ice rink to get in my daily figure skating sessions and then racing across campus with a camcorder and tripod in hand later that same afternoon to cover events for the student television network. I run on pure adrenaline everyday, loving what I do and getting everything I need to get done, done. Then I squeeze in just enough sleep to wake up rejuvenated and ready to do it all over again! That being said, how would I ever take a moment to chill out or even rest my legs?

I like to stay busy and I can never stay in the same place for too long. When I was writing for the fashion magazine earlier this month, I decided to change it up a little. Instead of writing from my desk and staring at a computer screen in front of a blank wall, I went outside onto the infamous green at my campus. While the fall weather still permits students to enjoy the outdoors, it's important to take advantage of it every chance you get. Finding the shadiest tree just outside of my dorm, I rolled out my yoga mat and sat down with my laptop to write my articles. The tranquility on the green when classes are over makes for a great relaxation opportunity. It was perfect for me to sit down, chill out, and let the surroundings clear my head for a bit. Zoning into my work was made easier as the setting filled me with a peaceful bliss and I was still productive as I finished two article drafts. Sometimes you have to pick a peaceful location in which you can be all over the place without actually going anywhere. 




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When making my college decision, I wasn't sure if I wanted to go away to my dream school and one of the top three communications schools in the country, Syracuse University, or if I wanted to stay close to home and attend school where I could live out my lifelong figure skating dreams at the University of Delaware. After months of back and forth with weighing options in my head, I realized that I needed to go to Delaware because I wasn't ready to leave home and I wasn't ready to give up skating at the rate that I had been doing it. I've often regretted not pursuing my dreams in the broadcast journalism industry through SU, but it turns out, I can have both skating and communications where I never thought it would be possible.

I am finally on the national champion intercollegiate figure skating team that has long graced the pages of my skating magazines, I am finally able to train to be the best I can be in the sport that my world has spun around since I was six, and I am now a national champion. However, I am also on the Student Television Network's 49 News here at UD and I have gotten experience through hosting segments, a web-show, as well as shooting and editing packages. I guess you could say I'm getting the best of both worlds right here in my own domain in the tiny state of Delaware. 

After traveling to Vacaville, CA for the Intercollegiate Figure Skating Team Championships last month, I got the chance to compete for my dream team and contribute to UD's 3rd title in a row. As I was boarding my flight back to DE, I received an email from the producers of 49 news, asking me to make my very own package about my team and our 3 peat national championship. Of course I couldn't pass up the opportunity to combine skills for my dream career with something that I am very passionate about.

This year, I joined the Student Television Network at my University. I hope to go into the communications industry someday and this network has been providing me with beneficial experiences thus far. I'm double majoring in mass communications and fashion merchandising in hopes of someday becoming a fashion reporter or journalist or some sort. Putting both of my majors together, I debuted in my very first fashion segment for Student Television Network. 

In this segment, I take to the local bohemian boutique, Grass Roots to see all that they have in store. That has been my very favorite local fashion shop around since before I came to the area to go to college. Take a look at my video to find out about their great buys and even job opportunities.

 

I never really understood the rain-boot trend until I started college and suddenly they lined every rectangular brick on the path to class one rainy Tuesday. Before I never really found thought them to be a necessity, since all of my high school classes met in the same building. However, now I slide my feet into them whenever there's a chance of precipitation. Having ten minute walks between classes and multiple steps through puddles, I would now never return to a simple pair of sneakers on a rainy day. 

I think that the most common brand I see stomping around the wet campus would be Hunters. While colorful or neutral, they're always sleek and eye-catching. However, I had my eye on a pair of Michael Kors from about late August until the end of October when I finally had the opportunity to purchase them. On a day trip into NYC, I discovered them at Macy's for nearly $100 cheaper than in my local shopping mall's MK store. It was perfect timing because I happened to hit the city during some pre-holiday sales. Stumbling upon the boots that day was meant to be, I believe. 

I love how the golden MK contrasts the shiny black boots. I also love that they're a little more rare to see out and about than other more common rain boot brands. Why follow the trend right down to the brand when you can follow it with one of your beloved brands of all time? Also on my wish-list for quite a while was a Michael Kors cross-body bag. I was tired of carrying around big purses wherever I went and just needed something a little more practical to take to work or the movies. I must've been a good girl this year, because Santa came through and I got the MK cross-body that I had picked out in the mall a few months ago. I love that it's just the right size to hold all of my necessities; phone, chapstick, lotion, and it even has a built-in wallet compartment in between the two zipper pouches. 

For an easy (or sometimes breezy) walk in the rain, my MK pride dazzles the raindrops with golden rays of happiness as I flee off to class or wherever the day might take me.