Today I got to experience being both an anchor and a reporter, and it immediately made me want to do more. For the first time, I got a taste of the hands-on work I’ve been eager to do, and that is a crucial part of my dream career. I’ve always wondered what it’s like to be in front of the camera delivering the news. But I also worried about speaking on camera, reading my lines, and asking people questions.
When I sat at the anchor desk, I stood tall, smiled at the camera, and confidently read from the teleprompter. I focused on speaking clearly and projecting my voice like the reporters I watch on the news.
Later that day, I practiced my reporting skills at the Greene team’s press conference with researcher Tim Glotch. I asked, “What role do universities like Stony Brook play in NASA’s exploration efforts?” He explained that universities apply for grants from NASA to conduct research that supports its missions. I was then encouraged to ask a follow-up question: “Is the current political climate making it harder to fund significant research?” He shared that NASA’s budget cuts have had negative effects on research funding and the agency’s ability to support important scientific work. I was really happy to be able to ask questions that mattered to me and receive honest, thoughtful answers from someone directly involved in the research. Before speaking, I kept rehearsing my questions in my head, but once I started talking, everything flowed naturally.
This experience confirmed my strong interest in journalism and strengthened my desire to pursue it as a career.
-Allie Butuc, Northport High School