it's all happening for a reason...

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

A thousand a day...119

One of my favorite professors and leaders, Dr. David Copeland. I got to take his photo today for my Elon leaders book project and loved this picture the best - it incorporates his love of history because of all the old newspapers he has on the wall...and you can also see a "Freaks and Geeks" slide on his computer from one of my favorite power points from his Media History class.

A best day on Cloud Pacemaker

I was in my producing class and got out early - about 2:30. I had a voicemail from Pam, one of my best friends the current editor-in-chief of The Pendulum. Something along the lines of, "Ms. Barnas, I know you are in class right now but I have something incredibly important to tell you. Call me the SECOND you get out of class." I was nervous! I didn't know what to expect! I had a feeling it was something good by the tone of her voice, but I had no idea what it could be.

The next thing I did was call Pam back. I was instructed to come to Acorn immediately - "no detours, do not pass go, do not collect $100." My "little and g-little" (Pam and Sunshine, respectively) were waiting for me outside. I arrived at Acorn and was told to sit down in between Pam and Sunshine. That's when Pam told me The Pendulum's Web site was named an Associated Collegiate Press Online Pacemaker finalist today. I grabbed their hands and was shaking with shock and happiness. It was quite the moment...especially considering we were outside and all the other tables were full and I was squealing and sobbing with joy. People were judging.

The article on E-net explains how our Web site was one of 20 chosen to be finalists out of more than 240 newspaper Web sites. Our site was judged based on:

Multimedia storytelling
Writing and editing
Site design
In-depth and complete coverage
Interactivity
Graphics and photography

I just couldn't be more excited. After a round of hugs, gripping the metal armrests of the chair and tearing up, I finally let it sink in that my greatest goal as online editor-in-chief was one step closer to being achieved. Each of the editors meet with our adviser at the beginning of our term. It was January 2009 when I stepped into the role and I knew immediately that I wanted to transform our Web site, produce quality multimedia journalism and earn a Pacemaker for The Pendulum Online. I kept my old document, "Ashley's Goals for The Pendulum Online," and the first bullet on the list is, "Win Pacemakers!" Little did I know then that my goal would (almost) come true a year later.

When The Pendulum won its first Pacemaker for the weekly student newspaper, it was such an incredible moment to share with five of my closest friends and fellow editors at the ACP/CMA convention in Austin, Texas. It is an honor we have been working toward since I've been working for The Pendulum. But to me, this online honor is even dearer to my heart, especially since we only just launched the new version of The Pendulum Online in February 2009.

While I may not have accomplished every other goal I bulleted on that original list, I am most proud of the fact that our staff embraced multimedia and an online presence so swiftly and successfully a year ago. It was a long and trying task at times, which makes the achievement all the more sweet. The accomplishment couldn't have happened without the section editors' willingness to embrace the new venture and the awesome multimedia team producing high quality videos, photo slideshows, podcasts and flash elements.

I will be holding my breath until the convention in Louisville, Ky., on Oct. 30, when the winners are announced. Returning home from Austin this fall made our win for the paper so real. The accomplishment was all the more amazing when it was shared with everyone. Because without everyone, there would be no Pendulum and certainly no Pacemaker. The promise on an Online Pacemaker is so close, much closer than I could have dreamed a year and a half ago.

The staff in the office when we returned from Austin with our first Pacemaker plaque.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Time to smell the blossoms

I took about 15 minutes for myself today in between meetings and found some beautiful spots on campus that are finally blooming. Since I could only pick one photo of the day, I am cheating by posting a few of my other favorites here.

Looking up at the Pendulum office trees

Tree in front of Elon Community Church

Flowers I pass on my way to class in the colonnades of Koury Gym

My favorite trees outside the gym

Close up of my favorite gym trees

Lake Mary Nell...hard to believe leeches live in there

Pretty blossoms near Lake Mary Nell

Outside Story Center (I never know which one is Chandler, Sloan, etc.)

A thousand a day...118

A beautiful day by Lake Mary Nell

Monday, March 29, 2010

A thousand a day...117

I was in the office (it's production night) helping with cutlines and realized I hadn't taken my photo of the day yet. When I asked who wanted to be today's photo, Pam jumped at the chance and posed like a plane. With an Acorn drink in hand.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

A thousand a day...116

Return from spring break and the campus is beginning to blossom

A thousand a day...108-115: Spring Break in Bay St. Louis

During my final spring break, I got to do something I've been looking forward to doing since I came to Elon: a service trip. I first heard about the trip to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, when the fall break trip was advertised in Moseley my freshman year. Still fresh from the Katrina damage, the trip got a lot of buzz around campus. Elon partnered with the city immediately after Katrina and has since sent 23 groups during fall, fake and spring breaks. It was an honor to be chosen to go and such a blessing...an entire week full of them. In the coming week, I'll be sure to share some more stories from the trip. For now, here are my photos from the best spring break ever:

Saturday, March 27, 2010
Souvenir. Some of our group got to help landscape with mentally handicapped adults and were rewarded with the beautiful beads they make. Though I was in a different group for this particular day of service, my friends brought beads back for everyone. The tag on each of our Mardi Gras beads says, "Handcrafted at Benchwork Industries: A division of Gulf Coast Society for Retarded Citizens."

Friday, March 26, 2010
Our last day in Mississippi couldn't have been more beautiful - service-, weather- and friendship-wise. We spent the day working at an elderly woman's home. She recently had a stroke and her husband passed away a year ago. He was the one who kept their yard beautiful. In a few hours, we painted her shed, mowed her lawn, weeded around the entire house (lots of flower beds with incredible potential) and planted three new flowers. Her husband's favorite color was yellow, so those flowers will bloom in remembrance of him.

Thursday, March 25, 2010
Two women are still living in this FEMA trailer, years after the storm. We spent a few hours insulating the house being built next door for them. It's been under construction for nearly two years now and little progress has been made because there's not enough help. One man we worked with on the project has taken it under his wing and will hopefully be able to finish the home for them soon.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010
We journeyed out of Mississippi for the day and headed over to New Orleans. While there, we not only got to enjoy the tourist part of the city, but more importantly, we toured Mid-City, where we saw the incredible damage Katrina did to neighborhoods. Nearly five years after the storm, we were stunned by what we saw.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010
After working at Feed My Sheep, a soup kitchen in Gulfport, this morning, we popped down to the Gulf of Mexico for a quick visit. And Elise learned she can walk on water!

Monday, March 22, 2010
An afternoon trip to the bay.

Sunday, March 21, 2010
It's fun to work at the YMCA! Sarah, Kate and Rebecca work on parts for a door they built for a shed while a local doggy friend comes to visit. One of our lovely white Elon vans is in the background.

Saturday, March 20, 2010
It was pouring rain when we arrived in Lizana, Mississippi, late Saturday night. Greeting us at the front door was this sign. It was such a wonderful welcome to the Deep South.