Look for Will Blanchard’s first front-page byline on Sunday. It’s a milestone for all beginning reporters, but particularly for our student correspondents.
Blanchard is taking a look at the groundswell of support for an arts center in Joplin. He will also provide his own video filming and editing for our online product.
And, if you haven’t taken a look at some of Blanchard’s videos, check them out at http://www.joplinglobe.com. Blanchard is not the traditional journalism major looking for some summer experience. Instead, the NYU student, who graduated two years ago from Thomas Jefferson, is majoring in English literature and film and television.
I first met Blanchard in 2008 when he visited the Globe while participating in the Joplin Chamber’s Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program. He randomly selected me under his choice of folks here at the Globe he wanted to visit.
Later, we ran into Blanchard again when he created a film documentary on the career of his grandfather, Karl Blanchard Sr. Scott Meeker interviewed Blanchard . I remember thinking at the time that it was a touching triubte to his grandfather.
I’m always impressed when young people take a shot and call to see if there’s any work available for them during the summer. Generally they aren’t looking for a lot of bucks, but rather the experience. Blanchard did just that and we took him up on his offer, particularly because we’re always looking fo ways to enhance our video skills.
Blanchard, who will be doing work for us through the end of August, said he’s learned that writing for a newspaper usually means writing fast and under pressure.
“I think it makes you a better writer,” he told me last week.
His favorite assignment that’s made it into print to date was a food story about Joplin’s Eagle Drive-In.
That didn’t surprise me. What did was when he told me his most challenging assignment was one on Joplin Little Theatre’s Encore awards. Basically, Blanchard was asked to take a press release and turn it into a story.
“I didn’t want it just to be a list,” he said.
We didn’t either. Blanchard put a lead on it and went ot the trouble of asking a few questions. He went beyond being a desk clerk.
Blanchard also interviewed Gregg Allman prior to the singer’s appearance in our area. I learned that Blanchard is a huge music and film fan and an Allman fan to boot.
When I talked to Blanchard about his experience so far here,he was quick to tell me that he learned that it really is possible to be an unbiased reporter.
“There was a time when I wasn’t really sure that could be done,” he said. “I think the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal are among the best papers in the world, but I see more editorializing in their stories than I do here at the local level. I’m gratified to learn there is such a thing as objective journalism.”
Since this is a blog, I can take a moment and not be objective. I think Blanchard will do fine whether he’s wriging, editing film, interviewing musicians or just talking to the folks at the Eagle Drive-In.
He’s interested in life and the people around him. He’s more than halfway there in understanding the key to being successful in any career.
Look for Blanchard’s story on Sunday and be sure to check out his video. I fyou want to drop him an e-mail send it to will_blanchard76@hotmail.com.
Carol Stark: Editor's Notebook 