Take two

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/06/18/rock-bridge-student-competes-state-high-school-rodeo/

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/06/18/bull-rider-has-world-champion-aspirations/
The second day of the rodeo for me started much earlier, but it seemed to calm me down a bit. I was hopeful that I could get this story done much sooner, so I wouldn’t be on a bad deadline crunch. I started at 7:30 a.m. It took me being observant to get going. I figured out that the boy I wanted to speak with had a lot of family at the event to watch him. I stood back, did some observing and then started speaking with the Grandma. I was very honest with her and it got me pretty far I think. She had me come sit with her during the event, explained the entire thing and was so willing to answer all of my questions. Being honest about who I was and where I was from seemed to work to my advantage because she took the time to really explain everything. I wrote the story during the day and then went back later to fill in smaller details. It was more challenging than I anticipated. I tracked down the focus of my story, but he was on a horse and didn’t want to speak. He was focused warming up for his event. Then, after his event, he didn’t want to speak with me because he had a bad run. At this point, I just tracked him down and begged him to tell me where I can find his family. He pointed in a direction and I luckily found them. I know he wasn’t happy with me, and I would have loved to check these facts with him, but it was the best I could do for the time allotted. I got my facts checked, but then, Grant proposed an idea.

A second story. So, I did what I was asked. I stayed for the bull riding and was so glad I did. I have never even seen a bull in person. I was exciting, but so nerve wracking! I was cringing the entire time. It was like a train wreck, as people say. It was so horrible to look at, but I couldn’t stop looking away. I just wanted to make sure they were okay and the anticipation of when they are going to fall off is exciting. As tired as I was, I was grateful my editor pushed me to stay because I never would have experienced watching bull riding. It amazes me that parents watch their kids do that so carefree. Getting to see the rodeo, start to finish is an experience I will definitely cherish.

 

Read Full Post »

Day one at the rodeo- failed attempt at blending in

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/06/17/state-high-school-rodeo-experience/

The first night at the rodeo was a bit of a struggle to say the least. I found it hard to approach people when everyone is on a horse. Also, the students in their hats and everything all seemed to look a like and the entire event was pretty spread out. This is how I came across the story on a family tailgating at the rodeo. It seemed to be the most approachable thing. A few girls before that were too focused on their horses and seemed to blow me off. It made me a little discouraged. I didn’t know what to ask people to find a story and I wasn’t even sure what I was watching most of the time. I just felt out of place. I was determined to make something come of the rodeo. I kept asking people in the main office for help and they eventually got me in contact with people from Columbia. At this point, it was too late in the night to do an interview. Lucky for me, they were planning on coming back at 7:30 a.m. for cutting. So, I planned to meet them then and I was once again hopeful I could make a story out of this event.

Read Full Post »