PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – It’s been five weeks since I started at WAVY as an intern, and it finally feels real that this is my life. I have spent over 100 hours with the WAVY team, and every minute has made me even more secure in my decision to pursue journalism.
These past two weeks, I have had the opportunity to do a lot more reporting practice and experience what the life of a reporter actually entails.
I’ve taken two mornings to spend time exclusively with the morning reporters. My first experience was with reporter Keagan Hughes and cameraman LaVoy Harrell (LV).
I reported to the newsroom around 2:45 a.m. and met up with Keagan to be briefed on what the day’s assignment would look like.
We were going to cover a fire that took place at a convenience store in Virginia Beach. LV was already at the scene, and we left the newsroom to meet him there close to 4 a.m. Upon our arrival, there wasn’t much to see but the ashes in the darkness, with crews leaving.
One journalistic gem I received from LV that morning was to always record upon arrival and whenever there is breaking news in proximity, be sure to capture it immediately. He mentioned that because he was at the scene early after his gym workout, he was able to capture B-roll of the scene before fire crews dispersed.
I was also able to practice a stand-up recording at the scene in which both Keagan and LV coached me on how to improve and “show and tell” viewers the scene.
We were shooting live hits until close to 9 a.m., and then we headed back to the studio.
Reflecting on that day, working with Keagan was special because I had met her for the first time when she interviewed me at Norfolk State earlier this spring after Michael Vick was announced as the new head coach.
I remember telling her my goals of becoming a reporter and having hopes to intern at WAVY this summer. Being with her throughout this shift truly reminded me that I am living in a moment I used to pray for.
I had another opportunity to experience the overnight-to-daybreak side of reporting shadowing LV once again alongside reporter Nick Broadway.
I met them both around 4 a.m. at the scene of a fire at a barbershop in Norfolk. This scene was extremely active with smoke, flames, and fire crews working as hard as they could to get the flames under control.
The air was thick with smoke and fumes, yet I was more consumed by seeing everything happen all at once. Nick’s ability to “show and tell” was something I really admired, and each live hit sounded different from the previous– yet just as detailed.
LV also guided me through another recording of my own, and the feeling I get while practicing is always surreal. In the moment while the cameras roll, I still can’t believe I am really doing it.
I learned a lot through the conversations I had that morning and observing how Nick carried himself when several unconventional things happened between liveshots and his approach when it came to speaking with witnesses and the victims of the tragedy.
With this being my second fire assignment, LV gave me a nickname that I personally feel fits my personality.
“You’re the fire intern–that’s how we’re gonna remember you!” – LV
While he was being literal about me being the intern always at the scene of a fire, I am now taking that name with me once I leave and also as a push to finish strong to make my mark here at WAVY. In my eyes the news staff here are “fire” and every WAVY member I’ve had the opportunity to work with has ignited my passions all the more.
I personally love the daybreak morning shift. The world is quiet but not silent at that time. In news there is always something happening and with this shift I felt sorta like a superhero. Out working behind the scenes while the average person is sleeping. Into the night or early morning we are the ones watching the surrounding cities and informing the public.
Although we can’t control crime or unfortunate events, we still are doing the public a service by having the courage to be the eyes and ears– or better yet a mouth piece to speak upon what is found.
My internship is coming to a close soon and the thought of leaving WAVY hurts. I’ve grown to really love it here and feeling of being involved in the news.
This experience so far has lit a fire within me to keep going and has truly made me understand that I am built for this. My dreams are obtainable and are in arms reach if don’t give up.