It's so important to look back and realize how far you've truly come. The little girl who started out covering board of education meetings, town council sessions, and sports games is someone I think about often. I wonder sometimes if she knew that she'd eventually be in the position that she is now; the head of the editorial department for 16 different community publications.
I wanted to take you all back for this blog post and talk about some of my favorite articles and interview experiences to date. Let's look back and remember why I started and just how far I've come!
2017 NJ GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE, WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY
While working part time at a local radio station, I was asked by the news department to cover the 2017 New Jersey Gubernatorial Debate between Kim Guadagno and Phil Murphy. The event at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ was the biggest stage. The final debate for Governor was a huge undertaking. Myself and another reporter for the station were tasked with covering the debate. Mike covered the candidates and political perspectives and I covered the public reaction.
I remember sitting in a classroom off the auditorium where the debate was being held. There were all sorts of print, television, radio, and political reporters at the debate. We were crammed into this workspace, many of us on our computers and iPads. I was definitely overwhelmed.
While I never got the opportunity to meet now Governor Phil Murphy, covering this event was a huge undertaking. However, it is an absolute honor that I was given the opportunity. I'm forever grateful for it.
MICHAEL BURTON, 2010 WEST MORRIS CENTRAL GRADUATE, N.O. SAINTS PLAYER
Mike Burton, New Orleans Saints and I
Growing up in Long Valley, New Jersey was the perfect childhood. It was a town where everyone knew everyone and weekends in the fall were spent cheering on the beloved West Morris Central High School Wolfpack football team.
West Morris Central was my home for four years. I still remember the locker number I had and the code to open it. I look at the pictures of me from choir and cheerleading and smile. I laugh as I flip through old yearbooks and remember how cringeworthy many of the trends were. It was high school though and it had it's bad days too.
Many of us from West Morris Central have gone on to do some pretty big things. I'm editing our hometown newspaper and have the wonderful opportunity to talk to old friends frequently about their time at West Morris Central. That opportunity capitalized when I got the chance to interview Michael Burton, a key member of the Wolfpack football team. Mike has now gone on to live his dream to play in the NFL.
While he's playing professionally, he still manages to come home every summer and teach the love of the game to the Long Valley Raiders recreational football program through his summer camp, Mike's Knights. A proud graduate of Rutgers University, Mike uses the opportunity every summer to share the knowledge and information he has gained about the game of football.
LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRIDE INITIATIVE
Some of my favorite experiences are not about interviewing celebrities or famous athletes. The Lakeview Elementary School staff in Denville, particularly Deb Warner and Marybeth Hall came to me with an article idea that I couldn't refuse.
Wanting to teach the elementary grades about the Lakeview School core values of perseverance, respect, integrity, diversity, and excellence, the two counselors came up with the idea of the Lakeview Paw program. Students and staff could nominate anyone who showed and acted one of the schools core values.
Both Deb and Marybeth were so excited about the program and writing a newspaper article was part of their goal to get the program into the public. After I followed through on writing, publishing, and delivering the article, I was actually gifted with a Lakeview Paw for showing integrity by staying true to my word about getting the program out into the public.
I love when people are passionate about their projects. It makes my job of writing about them so much easier.
NY GIANTS SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS
Steven Baker, New York Giants Super Bowl Champion and I
As a lifelong New York Jets fan, it pains me to write this. However, I loved getting to cover all the different summer camps that were going on in Denville. One of my favorites was hosted by the New York Giants. I had to get permission to attend the camp for a day. I don't think I've ever been more jealous of little kids!
The kids who attended the New York Giants summer camp got the opportunity to pass, punt, kick, and tackle with former Giants players. It was also a great experience because the former players sat down with the kids and educated them about the importance of continuing their education and always putting school first.
The day that I got to cover the summer camp, Steven Baker was there to help the kids. Steven was super kind to let me interview him, take a picture with him, and he even let me hold the Super Bowl trophy that he brought with him. I always love interviewing athletes who don't forget the little people and Steven was definitely that person.
DARRYL STRAWBERRY PRESENTATION
Darryl Strawberry and I, 2015
When I was growing up, my dad would always take my brother and I to Shea Stadium (now Citi Field) and share in the joy of his beloved New York Mets. We spent countless hours at the stadium, watching batting practice (I proudly own an autographed Tom Glavine baseball), eating hot dogs and cracker jacks, and I've probably had way too many baseball cards throughout my lifetime.
2015 was a great year to be a Mets fan. The Mets had made the World Series after a very long drought of no postseason appearances. The team was certainly hot. Although they didn't end up winning the World Series, it was still such a rush to watch my team play for the title for a change.
That year, I was writing for a Denville online newspaper and I got wind that Darryl Strawberry was coming to the local high school to do a presentation on drug and alcohol abuse. I got the opportunity to interview him while he was at the high school and it was such an amazing experience. He was very kind to let me have the opportunity to speak with him about a topic that is very real, especially to him.
As we kick off 2021, here's hoping to more career defining moments this year. I hope all of my readers had a very happy and healthy holiday season and may 2021 bring you all you desire. Happy New Year!
Signing off,
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