Journalism Perspective

When I first enrolled in this class I thought I would be learning a lot about public relations than what I already know, which I did. I never thought public relations was so complex and involved as much information needed for journalism. I still plan to major in public relations, and I'm extremely happy I took this course. Although very challenging at times, I know now there's so much more I need to know. Journalism is, by no means-easy.

Fairfax Abduction

Renville County Authorities arrested a man in his mid-20s in connection with kidnapping a 14-year old Fairfax girl Tuesday morning. Her mother reported her missing early Tuesday morning, and was later found 10 miles south of Fairfax. The victim managed to flee the suspects vehicle and escaped without any injuries.


http://www.startribune.com/local/92809184.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUs

Story 9-Feature Story

            Being the baby out of the family can definitely have it’s positives throughout life with the benefits of being able to get away with more than some of the older siblings might. However, it also can have its major downfalls with parents holding the youngest to a much higher standard after observing how the other older children turned developed. In some cases, it will only result in the student feeling extremely overwhelmed and inadequate enough which leads students simply just giving up.

            As for 21-year old Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) Cambridge Campus student, Jessica Nelson, without a doubt knows what its like to experience an immense amount of pressure throughout school with the expectations of becoming a high achiever. However, Nelson refuses to let the pressures she faces throughout school, and just life in general slow.

           Nelson is one of two children with her being the youngest. Her family consists of her older brother Derek and her mother and father, Valerie and Darin Nelson. While attending high school at Zimmerman High School, Nelson excelled at academics, as well as playing on the junior varsity soccer team her junior year. “I think I did so well in school because even though I had an enormous amount of pressure riding on me, I still received so much encouragement from my family I would have never even thought of giving up,” stated Nelson.

                After her junior year in high school Nelson knew it was time to start visiting potential colleges that she might possibly attend after graduation. “At first it was extremely hard for me to decide on a school. It was my senior year in high school and I still had absolutely no clue as to what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.” says Nelson. When it came time to start applying for colleges, Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) was only another name on the list of colleges Nelson had applied to during her senior year. She researched and considered many different colleges around the state—technical, community, and universities. However, when she had finally visited the ARCC Cambridge campus she thought that it would be just another college on her checklist to cross off and would be effortlessly ruled out. Although after taking a tour of the campus and speaking with several counselors and instructors, her feelings towards the college changed completely. The campus, instructors, and classes ARCC offered was exactly what she was looking for in a school, and was fortunate to live less than 30 minutes away.

                The Cambridge campus’ welcoming environment was what initially drew her attention. She felt that both the staff and the students were more friendly on the Cambridge campus than any other colleges she had visited, and each letter she had received from ARCC was always personalized. “It was a nice feeling knowing that my opinions were actually valued and any questions I had were answered quickly and never judged-I actually felt that there was a genuine appreciation in my interest to learn as much as I possibly could about the school” expressed Nelson. After being impressed with ARCC it made her decision extremely easy as to which college she wanted to attend for the fall semester. “I love the small community feeling here. The experiences I’ve been through and the people I’ve met while attending ARCC have just been great, it’s only made me that much happier with my decision to attend ARCC,” stated Nelson.

               Since starting college, Jessica has continued to keep an exceptionally busy schedule as well as an impressive GPA. Nelson is currently enrolled in four courses at ARCC as well as working two jobs, and is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

               Currently she’s working full-time as a cashier at Casey’s, and the second working part-time as a nursery assistant at Plant Place until she finishes up the semester to begin working full-time at both jobs. “I’m extremely lucky in the fact that I really enjoy both environments at my jobs and what makes it even better is that the people I work with are amazing. Plus my job pretty much rocks at Plant Place considering I get paid to tan-so I’d like to think its a win-win situation for a summer job if you ask me!” stated Nelson.

              To add to her already full schedule, she also helps out assisting a local softball team in Zimmerman as a base coach on Monday nights throughout the summer. “I’m always busy doing something, and I try to manage my time as best as I can so I can still have a social life and see my friends,” stated Nelson. Even dealing with a small amount of free time, she still manages to work on her hobbies making crafts such as ceramics, acrylic paintings, and blankets. When Nelson isn’t in class, studying, or working, she also enjoys spending her time taking advantage of the many lakes Minnesota has to offer and goes fishing. “Last year I remember being extremely excited when I found out I was going on a fishing trip to Mille Lacs Lake. A lot of my friends have been fishing there and told me I was guaranteed to catch a bunch of walleyes while I was up there. Throughout the whole fishing trip I didn’t even get a bite until the last day and it was a northern! I still was happy that I caught a fish, but I still have yet to catch a walleye on Mille Lacs,” stated Nelson.

                 Even after spending time enjoying her hobbies and managing to balance out her hectic schedule, she’s still been able to maintain a close relationship with who she describes as “the love of her life.” Nelson’s boyfriend, 25 year old Derek Zoerb is currently in the military and is stationed in Georgia for another month in a half while he completes his required basic training camp for the National Guard. Following Zoerb’s completion of basic he will be stationed in Missouri for an additional three months while he will be enrolled in the advanced military training program. Although it‘s been incredibly tough being so far away from her boyfriend and not being able to talk to him over a month, Nelson hopes that the time apart will only bring them even closer together. “If I wasn’t as busy as I am now I would probably go nuts spending my free time just thinking about how much longer he’ll be gone for, I don‘t understand how some of the military wives and girlfriends that have their husbands and boyfriends overseas deal with being apart from their loved ones for so long. I’m very thankful that he’s already halfway done with basic and will eventually be a lot closer to Minnesota, and me,” Nelson stated happily.

             While her boyfriend is away, Nelson plans on saving up her additional income for a house that Zoerb and her plan to purchase once he returns back to Minnesota.As for the other half of Nelson’s future, her goal while attending ARCC is to complete her two-year degree with plans to then transfer to the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with efforts to finish college with a four-year degree with a major in Medical Administration. “I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I finally knew what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I was working at Casey‘s and a customer and came in and we began talking about her job. I’ve always want to work in the medical field but knew I could never actually work in an operating room. When I learned about what a medical administrator does I thought-Hey! I could do that!” said Nelson. Once Nelson graduates college with her Bachelors Degree she hopes to begin her career working at the Mayo clinic in Rochester as a Medical Administrator.

              “Although there is times when I start to think about how much free time other people my age actually have, I get a little jealous,” expressed Nelson. “Then I just take a look around and realize that all this time and effort that I’m putting into my future will eventually pay off, and be 100% worth it. I think the reason my parents have held me at a higher standard is because they’ve only wanted the best for me, and have known this whole time how much potential I really do have.”

Two Fatal Crashes in Cambridge

Two fatal crashes occurred in Cambridge over the weekend resulting in the deaths of five people, and leaving the 16 year-old driver of one of the vehicles in critical condition. Even after the crashed occurred, many Minnesotans are still left wondering why the state's teen driving laws are rarely, if ever, enforced. The Minnesota teen driving law took effect in August 2008 which prohibits newly licensed drivers at the age of 16 to be limited to only one passenger in the vehicle and restricts driving after 12 p.m..


http://www.startribune.com/local/92272274.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

Career Decisions and Opportunities

Jessica Nelson, Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Cambridge Campus

ARCC first began in 1965 with approximately 600 students in the wing of the Centennial High School building and later moved to the Coon Rapids campus in 1967. The Cambridge campus opened a little over ten years later with enrollment continually growing every year since. As of the 2008-2009 year, more than 11,000 students were enrolled at ARCC. Throughout those years choosing a career is not always an easy choice for the students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC). Many students enroll at ARCC with the intentions of completing the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MNTC) with the idea of furthering their education to a four-year degree. For some, they fulfill their goals, and for many others their goals might take a different turn in life. A number of students continue to work towards their careers in the fields that they’re most interested in or display immense talent in. The MNTC consists of 10 goal areas which students work towards completing the 40-credit minimum requirement to be eligible for transfer.

ARCC Cambridge Campus student, Jessica Nelson stated, “I first enrolled at ARCC thinking that I would eventually transfer schools and become an art major, but after a few courses I think I would be better in the accounting field. I’ve always liked math, but my teachers here made me enjoy it even more”.

Whether students are planning to enroll in college to exceed in their interest, or talents, they all need direction. “I really had no clue on what I wanted to do with my life. I spoke with a few of the different counselors at the Coon Rapids campus at ARCC and they eventually led me in the direction to teaching elementary. I really love kids, and enjoy watching them absorb knowledge with excitement, so it was an easy choice for me,” said ARCC Coon Rapids student, Michelle Bourbeau.

With ARCC offering hundreds of courses both online and on-campus combined, it makes ARCC a very easy choice for many students. ARCC also offers summer courses to interested students. “When I first started looking for colleges I wanted a school that was affordable, and offered classes that I had the most interest in. I also wanted a college that also had courses online that would relate to my major and ARCC stood out the most to me. I’m now on my second year at ARCC and will be transferring to the University of Minnesota next spring,” stated ARCC student Kyle Silberg.

For potential students interested in becoming a student at ARCC there’s over 10 counselors available to provide any questions and information one might have. There is also the college’s website Anoka Ramsey.edu that also provides many questions and information available to the public.

“For me the college’s website is the easiest and most convenient tool I’ve used here at ARCC. I’m able to pay my tuition, purchase my books, and register for courses. I think I’d be lost without it,” said Nelson.

Target Field Impresses Fans

With Minnesota Twins fans enjoying their new stadium, they’re now faced with one problem-the overwhelming congestion of people at the rails in Minneapolis. Metro Transit is encouraging fans leaving from the games to chose to use the shuttle buses as an alternative to alleviate the traffic.





http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/91126884.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUqCP:iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUs

Who is paying for the cost of college these days?

              Financial Aid for a majority of the students at Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) is one way students are paying for their college tuition.

             Regardless of age or martial status student loans are and will be the common method for students seeking financial aid in a post-secondary education. According to President Barack Obama’s new student loan proposal that has been introduced to legislation, it will increase direct federal loans benefiting the students. With this additional assistance students will have more money available for loans and grants thus creating greater opportunities for the students.

                 For the slight number of students receiving financial assistant from their parents or guardians this noticeably will not effect them. However, students that are in need of further assistant this comes at the perfect time for them. When working full-time and even picking up a part-time job just to provide enough income to support yourself with the rising cost of rent, food, tuition, books, and bills this proposal will offer a much needed sigh of relief for many students. However, the new student loan proposal involves eliminating private student loan programs through banks and companies such as Wells Fargo and as an alternative, students would borrow directly from the government.

            Although there is a positive to the proposal. Since there’s more federal dollars available to students that are guaranteed from the federal government, the less likely students are to rely on private loans which have become very limited. As for students like Rebecca Fore, these loans will bring a little weight off her shoulder.