On Jan. 7, 2008, 51 citizen journalists trickled into New York City. There was one from each state, and the 51st came from Washington D.C. They came from all corners of the country, and from a suburb in Indiana, came me.
Six months earlier I had stumbled across a diamond in the rough in the land of freelance work on Craig’s List (www.craigslist.com) – an ad from MTV! The television network was looking for one citizen journalist from each state to cover the 2008 elections. The ad seemed too good to be true until I clicked the link, and it actually went to a Web site on MTV’s server. I filled out the form, and almost immediately received a confirmation e-mail that sounded less than hopeful. It said that plenty of people had applied, and that three finalists would be notified from each state in October. I clicked delete and did not expect to hear anything again.
Fast forward to October -- I was bored at work and decided to check my personal e-mail account – there it was, an e-mail from someone at MTV. I was a finalist! I called my mom and my dad and then sent a text to everyone in my cell phone – hey MTV is big for anyone, but especially for an Indiana-born-and-raised girl.
I had to submit a video project, and then I had to do something I’m horrible at – wait. So, I waited and waited. But, you know how it ended – or should I say, started. I got the news, and I ran into the bathroom at work and did a little dance. I jumped up and down for awhile. I cried. I laughed. And I thanked God.
It seemed unreal until I stepped into La Guardia on Jan. 7. A driver picked me up, and took me to The Times Hotel. I saw other Street Team Members arrive, and we walked through Times Square to the Viacom building. We mingled, we watched several videos about MTV, and we introduced ourselves and our stories. We had two days full of training where we learned everything from how to turn on our video camera to media law and what the MTV audience is interested in. On Jan. 10, much too soon, I headed back to La Guardia and flew back into reality in Indianapolis.
So, here I am Indiana! I am your link to the nation, and I am here to voice YOUR issues. Please e-mail me any time you have an idea for me. I also have a couple of my own I’m interested in focusing on.
First and foremost, I want to just encourage young people to get out there and vote for SOMETHING! We all have views and opinions, and being American, we all have the privilege to voice them. With privilege comes responsibility. I am going to do whatever I can to help young people register to vote, organize to voice their opinions and make a difference in this world.
Secondly, of course I want to be the voice of whatever is happening in Indiana and the Midwest. This is my home that I love, and I think we are facing several issues that also affect the nation. Immigration, the slowing economy, and war are just three of the issues we deal with on a day-to-day basis that I plan to focus on.
Third, I am adopted and the oldest of eight children. My sisters and one brother are adopted from China, and my other brother is adopted from Colombia. Anything that comes up about adoption, abortion, or children will be on my radar.
Now that you know a little about me, please e-mail me and introduce yourself. Let me know what issues you are interested in, and what you want to hear about from me. I am looking forward to being your gateway to Election 2008! I will be posting videos, blogs, animations, and stories at least once early each week, so please check back often.