Huntington Story

   Janice Jones, 53, was eating pork chops in her parked motor home Wednesday night when her dog knocked her 9 mm handgun off a seat, discharging the weapon and sending a bullet through Jones' leg and through the side of the vehicle.
   "It could have been worse," California Highway Patrol press liaison Tammy Rye said. "The bullet hit two inches from the gas tank."
   Jones was shot in the right leg around 10 p.m. Wednesday night.
   Jones was transported to Huntington Beach Hospital via ambulance and later was transported to Irvine Medical Center, Rye said.
   Jim Washington, a spokesperson for Huntington Beach Hospital, confirmed Jones was treated at the hospital but gave no additional information.
   Rye said officers cited Jones for expired plates and the county’s district attorney’s office was considering whether to charge her in relation to the gun accident.
   "Jones doesn’t have a permit for the gun," Rye said.
   Jones’ dog, a Pomeranian named Tombo, was placed in the care of the Huntington Beach Animal Control officers.
   "The dog seemed to be malnourished," said to Janet Ngo, one of the animal control officers, "and had fresh cigarette burns on its forehead."
   Ngo indicated that her office would explore filing animal abuse charges against Jones.

News values

Conflict
ISIS Abducts Workers From Cement Factory in Syria
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/world/middleeast/isis-said-to-have-kidnapped-dozens-of-workers-at-syria-cement-factory.html?ref=middleeast&_r=0
The article is about the conflict with ISIS in the Middle East. People want to be updated about worldly affairs.

Prominence

Luka Sabbat, the 18-Year-Old Fashion Influencer

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/fashion/mens-style/luka-sabbat-fashion-influencer.html?rref=homepage&module=Ribbon&version=origin&region=Header&action=click&contentCollection=Home%20Page&pgtype=article

Proximity

Homeless Teen Named Sole Suspect in UT-Austin Student Death 

http://college.usatoday.com/2016/04/08/homeless-teen-named-sole-suspect-in-ut-austin-student-death/

Timeliness

Prominent Al-Qaida Figure Killed in US Drone Strike in Syria

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/04/08/world/middleeast/ap-ml-syria.html?ref=world

Human Interest

Swim. Bike. Cheat? 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/sports/julie-miller-ironman-triathlon-cheat.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Novelty 

Jacob Tremblay Brought a Puppy on the Red Carpet

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2016/04/08/jacob-tremblay-puppy-red-carpet/82788310/

Impact

How the Rest of the Delegate Race Could Unfold

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/30/upshot/trump-clinton-delegate-calculator.html?ref=politics

Portfolio Analysis

1.
a. Alyssa Schukar
b. Stories-poverty, eating disorders, etc.
c. Distance-the photos didn't provide strong feelings/connections, dark and gloomy feel, stories were not original.
d. Cropping of certain photos, and the lighting that was utilized.
e. I have the same feelings about her photos as the judges did. I thought they were well taken, but very gloomy and distant.

2.
a. Sam Adams
b. Journalism/sports
c. Unclear meanings of the photos, objects blocking the important aspects in the photos, action shots were not exciting enough.
d. Good silhouettes and interesting use of shadows.
e. I thought that because his portfolio was mostly action/sports, it should have had some more interesting action shots.

3.
a. Anthony Souffle
b. Stories/sports
c. Non-original photos, distracting elements, typical things to take pictures of
d. Clear emotion through the photos, professional-looking photos
e. I didn't like the style of his photos, and he shot the same things throughout his portfolio.

WINNER (Dustin Snipes)
a. Action shots are personal, emotion is clearly shown, (good) chaos
b. framing, repetition/symmetry, photographer gets right in the middle of the action to create a personal sense

CONTEST RECAP
The judges wanted photos that showed different stories and differently styled photos (diversity!). They chose the portfolio that had the most strong photos. They also looked at the editing techniques used.

INDIVIDUAL IMAGES
1. I agree with the judges with the picture of the cheerleaders playing pool. It was an awkward and unnecessary photo with no clear meaning to it.
2. I disagree with the judges with the photo of the surfer falling into the waves. I think the shot was perfectly timed and at a really good angle (any closer and the photographer would have been swept up along with the wave).

Nut Graf

A nut graf spells out what the writer is going to say in the next 300-400 words. It's basically a paragraph summary on why the reader should care about the coming story. The nut graf justifies the story and provides supporting material that helps the reader see why the story is important.

A nut graf provides a transition from the lead and explains the lead and its connection to the story. A good nut graf provides enough information for readers to tell where the story is going. The readers can decide, after reading a nut graf, if they want to continue reading the story.

Student of the month story

Who- Caitlyn Devlin
What- Won student of the month
Where- Bowie High School
When- Last week
How- The principal receives recommendations from teachers, and chooses the students based on those
Why- Determination and dedication to her schoolwork



   Last week Caitlyn Devlin was rewarded with student of the month at Bowie High School, because of her determination and dedication to her schoolwork.
   "I was super happy when they announced that I was student of the month because I've been working for this for a really long time," Devlin said.
   Each month, Principal Mr. Kane receives about one hundred recommendations for student of the month from the teaching staff.
   "My English teacher was the one who recommended me. She thought I was doing well in my classes so she recommended me to the principal," Devlin said.
   This month, Mr. Kane choose Devlin because she not only excels in academics, but also extracurriculars.
   "Most of the past recipients were really focused on one thing. They were either focused on just extracurriculars or just academics. I like to think I'm the first student that is good in both," Devlin said.
   Receiving the title of student of the month requires a large amount of dedication to schoolwork, athletics, and other activities.
   "Getting student of the month was pretty difficult. I definitely put in a lot of work and time to my academics and extracurriculars," Devlin said.
   Receiving the title means that a student's hard work has finally paid off.
   "Being student of the month means that in this month I am the most hardworking and dedicated student, which means a lot to me," Devlin said.
   The student of the month's hard work doesn't end when they receive the award, however, because they still have responsibilities to maintain.
   "I have to continue to work as hard as I have, and continue to know as much as I know. I can't let that slip now that I've got this title," Devlin said.
   The student of the month gets school wide recognition, a scholarship, and a picture on the student of the month "wall of fame".
   "I have a scholarship to the University of my choosing, which is pretty cool," Devlin said.
   Devlin was chosen as student of the month because she is persistent and determined to succeed.
   "I study all night, every night, I ask questions in class, and I do all of my homework, because I want to succeed in everything I do," Devlin said.
   Students all across Bowie have big dreams of receiving the title of student of the month in the coming years.
   "My advice to anyone who wants to be the student of the month is to just work as hard as you can and be the best you can be," Devlin said.

Inverted pyramid

My first interview

1. What was your reaction when you found out you were named student of the month?
I was super happy because I've been working for this for a really long time. I've been studying and doing all my homework, and doing extracurricular activities to get this award. 

2. Why do you think you have earned this title?
I think I deserve it because I've worked so hard and have a 4.0 GPA.

3. How do you apply yourself in school (academics)?
I study all night, every night, I ask questions in class, and I do all of my homework. 

4. How do you apply yourself for extracurriculars?
I devote a lot of time to my extracurriculars by practicing a lot.

5. What are your strongest assets?
I'm very persistent, and I make sure that I do everything I can to succeed and be the best I can be. 

6. Your weakest?
Sometimes I procrastinate. Since I study a lot, I also sometimes don't get enough sleep so I'm tired at school. 

7. What do you do outside of school?
I'm in Marching Band.

8. How have your teachers helped you in being named student of the month?
My English teacher was the one who recommended me. She thought I was doing well in my classes so she recommended me to the principal. 

9. How did your parents react when you received this title?
They were super proud of me. They told me that my hard work has shown and I've grown a lot. 

10. How does it feel to be given this title?
It feels good. I'm really happy to be given this title, and I'm happy that all my work has come to this. 

11. How much time do you dedicate to schoolwork?
8 hours of school, plus about 4 or 5 hours at home that I dedicate in the evenings to my schoolwork.

12. How much time do you dedicate to extracurriculars?
About 2 hours. 

13. How difficult was the journey to get this title?
It was pretty difficult. I could have worked harder, but I definitely put in a lot of work and time to get this title and to be the best that I can be. 

14. How do you think people view you?
I think people view me pretty well, I'd hope, and I don't think anyone hates me for being student of the month. 

15. Why are you different from  the past students of the month?
Most of them were really focused on one thing. They were either focused on just extracurriculars or just academics. I like to think I'm the first student that is good in both. 

16. How are you rewarded for achieving this title?
I have a scholarship to the University of my choosing. 

17. How do you think you should be rewarded?
I think that's pretty good. I could be recognized more within the school, however. 

18. What does being named student of the month mean to you?
It means that in this month I am the most hardworking and dedicated student, which means a lot to me. 

19. What responsibilities come with being student of the month?
I have to continue to work as hard as I have, and continue to know as much as I know. I can't let it slip now that I've got this title. 

20. What advice can you give to students hoping to receive this title?
Just work as hard as you can and be the best you can be.