16 | August 10, 2017 | The lake forest leader LAKE FOREST LakeForestLeader.com
LakeForestLeader.com sound off the lake forest leader | August 10, 2017 | 17 Social snapshot Top Stories From LakeForestLeader.com as of Aug. 7 1. <strong>LF</strong> resident finds success on stage at Marriott Theatre 2. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ brings outdoor theater back to Lake Forest 3. News From Your Neighbors: Ex-Glencoe teacher accused of molestation 4. Lake Forest man named director of Winnetka Community House 5. Walker to join sister on DePaul soccer team Become a member: LakeForestLeader.com/plus CROYA posted this photo on Aug. 1. CROYA posted this photo of its members who participated in the Lake Forest Days Parade. Like The Lake Forest Leader: facebook.com/ TheLakeForestLeader Check out Lake Forest Country Day School “Happy Lake Forest Day! #<strong>LF</strong>CDS_experience #weloveaparade #lakeforestdays #lakeforestdayparade #cityoflakeforest #responsiblecitizenship” @<strong>LF</strong>CountryDay. On Aug. 2, Lake Forest Country Day School, tweeted about Lake Forest Days. Follow The Lake Forest Leader: @The<strong>LF</strong>Leader go figure 80 An intriguing number from this week’s edition More than 80 floats participated in the Lake Forest Days Parade, Page 4 From the Editorial Intern Finding a new love for writing Jake Markowitz Editorial Intern Growing up, writing was my biggest enemy. Not because I was bad at it, but because it was always so boring. The only time I wrote was when was I forced to in school, and even then I wouldn’t always follow directions. When I was supposed to be brainstorming for stories or essays, I was busy compiling a list of activities I would enjoy when school was over that day. It wasn’t until I attended the University of Iowa that my sentiment towards writing began to shift. As a cinema major, I’m often tested on my ability to analyze and describe what does and what does not work for films we watch in class. Therefore, writing is the key to my college career. I rapidly began enjoying the task of putting my thoughts to words and attempting to get my professor to see my vision. It was interesting for me to see how every word had a huge impact on the clarity of my paper and on my success in the class. Hearing complaints from my friends, who are business and finance majors, about how confusing their scantron tests were only made me appreciate writing even more. Eventually, I added a writing certificate and a journalism and mass communication minor to my resume. After spending a year and a half reporting for The Daily Iowan, the student newspaper at my school, I knew I wanted to pursue an internship in writing. Fortunately, I was able to lock down an internship as an Editorial Intern at 22nd Century Media. When I first walked into the newsroom I was very nervous. My only experience in a newsroom was through The Daily Iowan and I had no idea if a student newspaper was in anyway similar to a professional paper. My fear was quickly softened as I was met with friendliness and excitement. My editors from the Lake Forest Leader and Highland Park Landmark eased me into the world of professional journalism by giving me easier formatted stories, such as calendars and brief press releases. They also took their time to answer my questions clearly. As the weeks progressed, I was assigned longer stories across various topics. These ranged from covering the Lake Bluff annual farmers market to writing about the journey of a college athlete. While I can’t say there’s one memory that sticks out above the rest, there is one thing I have to thank Alyssa and all my editors for helping me out with the most. When I first started the internship, interviews were not my strong suit. I thought I had a good grasp of creating a story and finding a way to write each story clearly. However, I struggled with asking the right questions to get the information I needed to write a clear and in depth story. Numerous times I conducted an interview thinking I was asking the right questions. Then, when it was over, several questions would come to my mind that I wished I had asked in the initial interview. Many of the people I interviewed had limited availability; leaving me only with the responses I received from my first set of questions to write the story. On top of that, I learned I did not have the tenacity a reporter needs in order to make sure they get quotes from the best sources for a story. In the past, if my sources didn’t pick up the phone on my first call I would give up and move on to the next option. Throughout the summer, my editors have taught me how to form a series of questions before conducting interviews for stories. Additionally, they reminded me to keep calling and don’t give up right away. The source might get bothered by the amount of times their phone rings, but an annoyed source is better than no source at all. I learned a lot throughout my summer as an intern for 22nd Century Media. I feel like I became a more improved reporter and writer. I’m heading back to college with a whole new set of skills and a confident mindset heading into every story. Going into my final year of school, the “real world” is right around the corner. Previously, this used to be a very frightening thought and one that only created uncertainty and stressful thoughts for me. After my internship, I feel a lot stronger in my capabilities as a journalist and being able to get a job after my senior year. Where will that be? I have no clue, but wherever it is I will have 22nd Century Media to thank for helping me polish my writing, reporting and professional skills. The Lake Forest Leader Sound Off Policy Editorials and columns are the opinions of the author. Pieces from 22nd Century Media are the thoughts of the company as a whole. The Lake Forest Leader encourages readers to write letters to Sound Off. All letters must be signed, and names and hometowns will be published. We also ask that writers include their address and phone number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited to 400 words. The Lake Forest Leader reserves the right to edit letters. Letters become property of The Lake Forest Leader. Letters that are published do not reflect the thoughts and views of The Lake Forest Leader. Letters can be mailed to: The Lake Forest Leader, 60 Revere Drive ST 888, Northbrook, IL, 60062. Fax letters to (847) 272-4648 or email to alyssa@lakeforestleader. com. www.lakeforestleader.com
Change language