Another cycle of WVU News is coming to a close and my time to pass the torch to the next producer is at hand. Instead of the regularly scheduled pitch meeting, a celebration was held where everyone ate their fill at a breakfast banquet and thanked the people that they interviewed or helped them along the path of WVU News. This was very different from what had happened in weeks past due to the final show using packages that had put together from previous weeks. Everyone was free to work on their final portfolios as the final show drew closer.

The read through wasn’t too out of the norm. However, almost all of the on-air talent for this show I had not worked with before. So, figuring out their style and how to get the best out of them took a few runs, but after everything went smoothly. Since the script had a lot of movement, I had them in their positions and they worked on their delivery while moving. It took a little longer than most weeks because of that and that it is a special edition show.

                        

When the day of the show finally came, I was too excited to sleep and got to the studio as early as I could. We started an hour earlier than we normally do and it was a good thing, because we went right up to the deadline at noon. But, working on setting everything up and making sure everything was where it was supposed to be in order to keep things on track was everything I dreamed it would be and more. But, there was no way that I could have pulled it off if it wasn’t for everyone coming in prepared and on the ball to get things done. I had the vision, but they are the ones who executed it perfectly.   

It is hard to believe that my time at WVU is ending. I can still remember quite vividly taking a walk around the campus during my first day. Thinking back on it now, it seems hard to imagine that during those first few days I was afraid. But, as my mind remembers why I was so afraid, I find those fears from way back then to be fears that I struggle with now as I prepare to graduate. Knowing that over the course of my time at WVU those fears dissipated, gives me hope that in time my fears will dissipate as well.

                                    

Being a student at WVU has been one of the best experiences in my life and WVU News is the highlight of it all. Although I didn’t start out in the Reed College of Media and I have had my fair share of setbacks, if I got to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.

To my WVU News class, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you all the best in whatever the future holds for you.

That’s going to do it for this semesters edition of WVU News… I’m Jackson Lilly. Thanks for watching and we’ll see you next time.