Journalism

Graduating senior’s compass pointed her to an English degree with a side trip to Ireland

Shayla Brown — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 16:52:46 +0000

Graduating senior’s compass pointed her to an English degree with a side trip to Ireland Shayla Brown Tue, 11/26/2024 - 11:52

��AV senior Katarina Benson has had five different majors throughout her college career. “Choosing what to study [was] very difficult for me, because so many fields interest me,” said Benson, who transferred from Delaware Valley University.

Benson, who grew up in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, previously majored in agribusiness, film and video, among other subjects before choosing and completing an English degree with a concentration in cultural studies.

“I’ve always loved reading and English was my favorite subject in middle school, so I eventually found my way back to where I was supposed to be,” said Benson, who is in the Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society.

Benson wore many hats during her time at George Mason including editor-in-chief of Her Campus, a peer reviewer on the photography and the poetry and prose teams for Volition Literary and Arts magazine, a member of the George Mason’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and a buddy in the International Buddy Program. 

Benson took advantage of George Mason’s study-abroad opportunities in summer 2024 by attending the University of Galway in Ireland for four weeks for the International Summer School where she took two classes, “Representing Ireland: Literature and Film” and “The Archaeological Heritage of Ireland.” Learn more about her study-abroad experience.

Katarina Benson. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.

She also worked as an editorial assistant to the university’s Mason Spirit magazine and as a public relations student coordinator in George Mason’s Office of University Branding.

What’s your best memory of George Mason?

I have so many good memories from the past few years but I’ll always remember when my family came to visit for Homecoming 2023. My dad, brother, and I spent the morning together making waffles in my dorm kitchen and then we went to the tailgate. George Mason men’s basketball won, and it was a really great game! I’m really close with my family and Homecoming was a great opportunity to enjoy George Mason together.

How have you grown while at George Mason?

George Mason and specifically our English Department, is one of the most welcoming and diverse communities I’ve ever been a part of. The understanding and accepting space they’ve given me has allowed me to truly explore my interests and identity. I have learned so much about myself over the past few years because of the experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met at George Mason. 

Best piece of advice for incoming students?

Don’t limit yourself. I’ve tried so many new things that I've unexpectedly loved! One of my favorite experiences was going abroad, and I didn’t know if that was something I felt fully comfortable doing until I took the risk and went anyway. I had an amazing time and highly recommend just going for whatever it is that you may want to do! 

What’s next for you?

I’m taking a gap year and freelance writing. Then most likely going to graduate school. I plan on getting a master’s in something English-related; it’ll probably end up being either cultural studies, literature, or library science. 

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This meteorology student’s summer internship was a breeze

Shayla Brown — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:30:21 +0000

This meteorology student’s summer internship was a breeze Shayla Brown Fri, 08/23/2024 - 13:30

For rising senior Hanna “Bell” Tucker, an internship with the FOX 5 News Weather Department was a long shot.

“As a meteorology student, it was hard to find a media-based internship,” said the ��AV atmospheric sciences major. “[In my field] it’s mostly researching and working with data, so trying to find a position where I’d get experience with both my major and communications was really difficult.”

Many of the internship job descriptions specified that they were looking for journalism majors, said Tucker, but she was not deterred.

Tucker was eventually interviewed by FOX 5’s human resources director Murphy Baker and two weeks later was told that she had been accepted for the internship position. She has spent her summer in the Bethesda, Maryland, news studio gaining experience as a weather personality.

“I’m the only meteorology major, but they've been really helpful in showing me what to do. You just really have to take initiative there and ask questions about how you can contribute,” said Tucker, who transferred to George Mason from Liberty University.

Tucker said the College of Science course CLIM 301 Weather Analysis and Prediction, taught by Bohua Huang, a professor in the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences, helped her prepare for the responsibilities of her internship.

The course has two parts—a lecture session and a lab session. The lab simulation led by Professors Zafer Boybeyi and Steve Zubrick was another important resource, said Tucker.

“We would do presentations where we would screenshot the models to predict and describe the weather for the week and present them to our peers in the lab,” said Tucker. “I'd say that was my most useful experience in regards to going into broadcast meteorology.”

Bell Tucker at the FOX 5 DC studio interning as a weather personality with Tucker Barnes. Photo provided.

Zubrick, who was previously a senior meteorologist and experienced weather forecaster with the National Weather Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was able to provide great insight for Tucker as she prepared to apply for internships.

“The student-led weather briefing is a major part of the lab sessions, where students lead a weather discussion with the whole class,” said Huang.

“Students learn how communicate information of weather analysis and forecasts through presentation and discussion. Weather briefing and discussion is a daily practice in many weather forecast offices, so this is great training for students in the atmospheric sciences major,” he said.

“I love attending George Mason, especially because of the people that I’ve met and the [Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Earth Sciences] Department,” said Tucker.

“The biggest lesson I've learned is to try to be confident,” she added. “I put myself out there, and if I hadn’t, I would’ve never gotten this opportunity. I think just by taking small steps and putting yourself out there, it could take you a long way.”

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Elizabeth Wiehe is ‘en pointe’ to graduate from George Mason’s School of Dance

Shayla Brown — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:20:06 +0000

Elizabeth Wiehe is ‘en pointe’ to graduate from George Mason’s School of Dance Shayla Brown Wed, 05/01/2024 - 12:20

��AV senior Elizabeth Wiehe says that ballet is her first love.

The School of Dance student, who is graduating this spring, grew up being classically trained in ballet. She chose George Mason because she wanted to explore other dance forms. Wiehe, who is in the Honors College, also has a minor in journalism, and hopes to combine these disciplines to tell stories about dance.

Elizabeth Wiehe. Photo provided.

During her time at George Mason, Wiehe had the opportunity to work with visiting guest artists who came to campus. In her junior year, she worked with Fiona Jopp from Sydney Dance Company on choreographer Rafael Bonachela’s “Variation 10.” The piece was performed at the School of Dance Gala 2023. Learn more about the piece.

Wiehe is also the recipient of the Distinction in the Journalism Minor for her dedication and tenacity in pursuing her minor in journalism with academic excellence.

Wiehe has presented four of her own choreographed works at George Mason and her final piece was presented at the School of Dance's Spring: Dance Innovation at Harris Theater. She also danced in “Visions and Miracles” by George Mason professor Susan Shields and in Martha Graham’s “Steps in the Streets” during the latest George Mason Dance Company Gala.

What’s your best memory at George Mason?

My best memories at George Mason are the guest residencies that I've been a part of. I did a residency learning choreography by Martha Graham, who is the mother of modern dance. The historic piece we performed, “Steps in the Street,” was about women in the 1930s dealing with exile, grief, and devastation. As an all-female cast, we had to work together as an ensemble to share the intense emotions the piece was asking of us. It was also a challenge having to learn Graham’s technique that drives the choreography. Being able to challenge myself in those spaces was so fulfilling to me.

Elizabeth Wiehe. Photo provided.

How have you grown while at George Mason?

I was drawn to George Mason’s program because I wanted to study a little bit of everything—ballet, modern—and George Mason has the best programs for that. I also have a much better understanding of how my body moves. I'm a taller dancer and before I didn’t understand the power of being a 5’8” mover and the momentum you can have with that. I learned to push those boundaries and never give up on myself.

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

Love it 100 percent. Trust yourself and make sure that whatever you do is your passion. There’s a misconception that you have to be naturally talented, but really it just has to come from a place of love. If you love it enough, it's going to work out. The doors will open for you if you are willing to put in the work.

What’s next for you?

I always knew my post-graduation goal is to dance professionally, and George Mason has helped me do that. I’ll start working with Chamber Dance Project in June. Karen Reedy, the School of Dance director, told me about this opportunity, so I learned an excerpt from one of their pieces and [was hired]. It's very full circle in a sense because I never thought my first professional job would be en pointe.

I also plan to use my journalism minor to bring attention to the dance world. Not many people are even aware George Mason has a strong dance program and I believe writing about dance to an audience who doesn’t get to experience it is really important. I love writing and how journalism brings attention to people’s stories that have yet to be told.