This Past Week.....

I've been sooo busy since I came home from camp! I've been unpacking my stuff into my room in the new house nonstop.
Last Wednesday I went for my senior picture photo shoot.
Then band practice started on Thursday.
After band practice on Friday I went to the Regatta at Point Pleasant' riverfront to help with the dance-off that my dance group, Ohio River Dance sponsored.
We marched in two Fourth of July parades on Saturday - New Haven at 10 am, Mason at 11 am - then I had to be in Point Pleasant (thirty minutes down the road) by noon to dance with my dance group at the Regatta. When I got home I took a long nap and then helped make a fruit tray to take to a cookout, where I learned that I am horrible at playing cornhole. Then my family went back to the Regatta to watch the fireworks. They were so beautiful!
On Sunday, My family started making food for our cookout, after church. Then we went across the river to watch Middleport's Fourth of July parade.
Monday was my last day off because of the observance of the holiday and now I am wrapped up in band practice. Its my senior year of band, and I hope that its also my best year of band.

The Last Day of the Workshop

The week went by so fast! It was so much fun. I'm so glad that Professor Morris gave me the opportunity to take part in it. I learned so much about journalism that I wouldn't have gotten to learn. Plus, I met fifteen great new friends whom I wouldn't have met. This was also my first camp experience and I don't think I could have gotten a better one.

Fourth day of Journalism Workshop

Today has been interesting. I've never been able to start a story so talking about news and feature leads was really helpful. During photo manipulation, we got into some really strong debates over so many topics that went over into lunch. Afterward, we learned how to research information for a news article, which was also helpful.

Third Day of the Journalism Workshop

Going to the Herald-Dispatch was amazing. It was interesting to see how much technology has changed the way that the newspaper is made. The best part was going with the reporters to watch them work on their stories. I learned that its always a good idea to have a Plan B in case you can't get the story that you want. I never realized how much time and effort goes in to putting a newspaper together. I haven't really decided what field of journalism I want to go into, but after learning more about it, I may choose print journalism.

Classmate Interview for Journalism Workshop

HUNTINGTON, WV -Outgoing and creative Huntington High School junior, Sam Ransbottom, has loyalty to his friends.

In a recent interview, Sam, 16, said that if he had to spend his time recuperating in a hospital, he would want his closest friends next to him. He called them his "wolf pack" and described his relationship with them as one of looking out for one another. Ransbottom said, "good or bad, we're always there for each other." With such a close group of friends, Ransbottom said that he is not a lonely person.

In the midst of his active social life, Ransbottom still finds time for work. "My first job was yard work. My brother occasionally asks me go to his home and mow the lawn. He pays me for my work," Ransbottom said.

Through a need to release his emotions, Ransbottom said that he cried last month. Although, many would think that a break-up caused his outbursts, he added that he has never loved anyone and the source of his emotional release was the thought of not seeing his friends and faculty all summer. He might cry on occasion, but Ransbottom is perfectly happy with himself.

"The one thing that has given me the most pleasure this year has been finding myself through high school. I figured out that if you're happy with yourself, then you can be happy with everything else in life," Ransbottom said.

There, Ransbottom can be found working with the school newspaper, The Highlander Press. Outside of school, he enjoys writing songs, stories, poems, and articles. He has also played the piano for nearly one and one-half years. This week he is attending a journalism workshop at Marshall University in Huntington.

Highlights of the Second Day of the Journalism Workshop

The most exciting part of the day has been learning about photography. I love to take pictures, but I usually can't get the scene right until the third or fourth try. Learning more about photography and its guidelines will help me take better pictures in the future.

Walking around campus to take pictures was a great way to see the campus. It was a great way to take time to see the places on campus that I would have missed on an average campus tour.

First Day of the Workshop

So far the journalism workshop has gone well, with the exception of the thunder and lightning. Before coming I was nervous about the whole experience. I haven't even been here a whole day and have already discovered that there was nothing to worry about. I've already learned a lot about journalism that I didn't know