OpSail was such a success! Thursday and Friday night were busy nights clipping video for OpSail. I was glad that I had practice with clipping video at a fast pace. Along with focusing on publishing OpSail broadcasts on the Web, I had the chance to sit in the producing room for about 15 minutes. Although I was used to the newsroom being extremely busy, the producing room was even more intense. It was awesome to see how everyone contributes to the newscasts in all different ways, from pulling scripts to audio. It was great meeting the producers and observing them under pressure. They all enforced positive attitudes and remained calm. Along with watching the producers hold composure with a heavy amount of live coverage, I caught on to their lingo. Using quick terms made the fight against the clock easier. Executing a broadcast is a prism of hard work creating a spectrum of magnificent detailed work of everyone in the Wavy building. It is extremely fun working with such talented, creative, and innovative people.

On Saturday, I volunteered to work the Wavy tent at OpSail and had the time of my life. I met MORE Wavy workers, the media crew. The Wavy team is huge and everyone I have met is friendly and easy to talk to. Along with interns, Jessica Dawson and Nicole Mandell, we worked as a team within the Wavy team stuffing Wavy gift bags, handing out chips, foam swords, and paper fans to the people waiting in line to spin the prize wheel. It was great getting to know the other interns! Working the tent, I talked to the Wavy fans and felt complete bliss. Getting to know people and how much they appreciate Wavy made me think, this is why I want to do this, this is where I am supposed to be.

Today, Monday, I have transitioned from evening Web to morning Web. It definitely has a different vibe than evening Web. I worked with Jane and Jess today publishing multiple Associated Press stories. The morning Web is different because most of the stories are brand new. The day is beginning and a sense of urgency is more defined. The stories deal more with breaking news and day stories. After sitting in on a staff meeting, I realized it takes skills in innovation and collaboration to have successful stories. I truly believe every part of my personality has been highlighted in the newsroom. My writing has grown as well. Constantly reading reports and posting stories taught me how to become more precise and use less words in my writing, cutting out unnecessary words. Even though I feel like I ask a lot of questions sometimes, I have observed Wavy employees not being afraid to ask for help or assistance. Questioning is not a bad thing, it makes one learn. Internship Coordinator, Stephanie Cooke was right when saying, “Be something bigger than yourself” in this internship experience. As a violinist, I have heard this concept as “you need different instruments to be in perfect harmony to create a great sound.” The Wavy attitude and determination  creates a larger than life news team and that is why Wavy 10 is the number one most watched news in Hampton Roads. Tomorrow Jess is going to advance my Web internship and I am excited! I am grateful.
-Lena