As I look back on the time I’ve spent on The Feather team I can’t help but feel thankful. After four years of experiencing every aspect of an award-winning newspaper and being surrounded by love and support, I must say that it is hard to leave.

History

Following in my sister’s footsteps I decided to make a commitment to be apart of The Feather Online. I first started my freshman year as a journalist and it was a uniquely challenging, fun and rewarding experience. Being the sole freshman on the team meant that I had a lot of work cut out for me in order to be recognized. It also meant that I would be watched and that I would have the help needed to get me through.

During my first year, I was able to experience so much growth with the help of my advisor Greg Stobbe. I would like to thank him for encouraging me to get outside of my comfort zone and for opening doors of opportunity.

This is now my fourth year on the team and I can confidently say I have explored all parts of the newspaper. From being a journalist to the twitter editor to capturing different events with photography and finishing as a video editor I have advanced my skills in each necessary part of journalism.

My favorite role while on the team was as a videojournalist. I would like to thank Kori James for teaching me how to use a camera, establishing confidence in me and preparing me to be ready for any situation. The thing I enjoyed most about video was being able to creatively capture events and tell stories.

Opportunities

The Feather has allowed me to do some pretty incredible things!

– Promote, attend and report community events
– Advance journalist skills and grow with the team
– Interview international Christian evangelist Luis Palau
– Travel to New York to learn from professionals about journalism at Columbia University
– Teach alongside my friends at an NSPA conference in LA
– Create a PSA for the community about the dangers of substance abuse
– Capture the life and times of Fresno Christian

Days in the lab were not a breeze! It really took a lot of hard work but I am so thankful for all the skills I’ve learned as they will benefit me through the rest of my life.

Future

The next chapter of my life starts in Phoenix, Arizona. I will attend Grand Canyon University where I will study Business Accounting. Though I am not going into journalism the skills of communication and professionalism will definitely go a long way!

To anyone who is interested, I would strongly urge you to join the team! It will be hard but you will learn so much and be apart of something bigger than yourself which to me was the most rewarding part.

I would like to thank my advisors Kori James and Greg Stobbe for providing so many opportunities and for helping grow me into the person I am today.

Check out some of my favorite work, Eagles win at Selland and Cheer: Road to Competition.

This writer can be reached via email: Braden Bell, Twitter: Braden Bell.