PORTFOLIO MEGHANCOTTON
MEGHAN COTtON
1107 Aruba Drive 407-459-0385 meghancotton.wordpress.com @Meghan_Cotton
MEGHAN COTTON
1107 Aruba Drive Orlando, FL 32806 mccotton0418@gmail.com (407) 459-0385 May 11, 2015 Jessica Saggio Advisor Central Florida Future 11825 High Tech Ave. Ste. 100 Orlando, FL 32817 Dear Mrs. Saggio: Central Florida Future is a publication that demands professionalism, time management and dedication from all of its staffers. To be a staffer would require leadership, patience, skills acquired over time and most importantly the drive to create a successful paper. Please accept the accompanying resume for your review and consideration for a position on your staff. As a staffer of Hilights newspaper for three years, I have written sports stories, feature stories, entertainment stories and an editorial column both in the paper and on the web. As business manager, I managed the money and checks that advertisers have sent and I communicated with all of them in order to have all ads placed on time. As Editor-In-Chief I oversaw the production of the paper and put it all together. Over three years my Photoshop and InDesign skills have developed and I am creating more than I ever thought I would be able to. The newspaper has taken over my life and I have never been more devoted to anything. I would be happy to be a part of the production of the paper and take on the responsibility of being a staffer. If I am given the opportunity, I will rise to the occasion. This learning experience would open doors to pursuing my long-term career goals. Although my resume shows what you need to know about me, I feel that an in-person interview would better demonstrate my abilities and personality. I would appreciate the chance to meet with you at a time that is convenient for you. Thank you for your review and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Respectfully yours,
Meghan Cotton Enclosed: ResumĂŠ
MEGHAN COTtON
1107 Aruba Drive 407-459-0385 meghancotton.wordpress.com @Meghan_Cotton
OBJECTIVES
To write for KnightNews.com and produce quality journalism while improving my writing and editing as well as utilizing my Indesign and Photoshop skills.
EDUCATION
Completed four years at Boone High School. Unweighted GPA: 3.4 Weighted GPA: 4.5
EXPERIENCE
Newspaper staff member, Boone High School Aug 2012- present. Researched information to compose news articles, feature stories, sports stories and wrote for an editorial column. Newspaper Business Manager Aug 2013- May 2014. Wrote check receipts for all advertisers, communicated with advertisers and created ads. Newspaper Editor-In-Chief Aug 2014- present. Oversaw production of the paper, edited all stories and wrote the Letter From the Editor for each issue.
HONORS AND AWARDS
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY Inducted into the 2011 chapter of the NJHS for leadership, community service and academics. FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (FCA) 2007-present member. 2010 captain. Organized projects and chapel programs. NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY Inducted into the 2013 and 2014 chapter of the Boone NHS chapter for leadership, community service and academics. HIGHEST GPA 2013- present. I received the highest GPA award for juniors on the 2013 tennis team. DISTRICT RUNNER-UP 2013- present. I won the district runner-up for tennis for singles as well as doubles. PHOTOSHOP CERTIFIED 2014-present. Certified for Adobe Photoshop program. CSPA THIRD PLACE Won third place for Euthanasia editorial article from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. SILVER CROWN WINNER Won a Silver Crown Award for 2013-2014 Hilights from CSPA. PACEMAKER FINALIST Pacemaker finalist for 2013-2014 Hilights from NSPA. REFERENCES Renee Burke: Advisor (407)-443-8451 Inno Motika: Tennis Pro (407)-254-9878 Elaine Westmoreland: Employer (407)-256-4651
Self-Analytical evaluation
Before freshman year began, I was told to pick an elective to fulfill a course credit. I was given the option of ceramics, drawing, music or journalism. I knew that I enjoyed writing, but I never could have imagined that this elective would dominate my high school career and determine my future. What I learned this year, that I did not appreciate the previous years, is teamwork. With a staff that had trouble bonding and the lack of motivation among them, it was difficult to lead. I had a hard time being a leader when no one wanted to cooperate, they were there because they had to be, not because they wanted to be. Aside from learning to appreciate teamwork, I learned the power of dedication. With only a few staffers who were striving to make the paper the best that it could be, I learned just how successful you can be with determination. Late night press days and long work days showed me that anything is possible once you set your mind to it. In previous years being on staff, deadlines were something that helped me with time management. They’ve never been a huge issue for me because I usually get my stuff done. But this year with deadlines was the biggest obstacle I had to overcome. Not only do I have my own stuff to worry about, but I have to worry about everyone else’s stuff. When one person was off deadline in the past, I figured “that’s their problem.” But as EIC, it becomes my problem. When people are off deadline, the work lands on the few who work overtime to get it done. I felt as though I was more of an asset this year than in the previous years because I made important decisions concerning the paper. I helped decide what was going on the cover, what stories needed to be pulled and what to change design-wise. I stayed late after school on press days to get the paper to press and stayed at work days until everyone was gone to assess what else needed to be done. After three short years of being on staff, I have learned and done so much than I ever could have imagined doing. I will use my production skills, determination, time management and skills in Photoshop and InDesign to contribute to UCF’s student paper as well as any publication I work for in the future.
reflection one
While this is not my favorite piece I have done, I consider it the most significant because of all the trouble it caused me to complete. I hate writing about football. Basketball, I enjoy, but football is not a sport that I was meant to write. I read up on football articles and had to research terms and rules because a basic knowledge does not get you very far. Taking notes in a game for three hours can get tiresome and it is often difficult to keep track of everything. But writing the story itself was not the most challenging part. The football players that I was planning on interviewing liked not coming to school. It was stressful to run around and try and find phone numbers because an in-person interview was not going to happen. Then after getting interviews from the top players on the team, I was faced with the task of getting pictures of the players who were not interviewed. I never quite mastered taking pictures of football, they turned out too blurry. So I took to the server to search through hundreds of pictures. After finally finding a good picture and tracking down the player for a caption interview, my layout would change and I would have to get all new pictures. My dominant photo changed approximately four times. Throughout the process I learned that football players give bad interviews and if you want good pictures, you cannot rely on other people to take them. It is easier to learn how to take good ones than to trust that others got them for you. What I like about the finished product is that the topic was well covered. I had three pictures, a barrel infographic and the story itself turned out well.
reflection two
Out of every article I have ever written, this one I believe represents me and what I want to do with a journalism career. Writing for a high school paper, articles are more entertainment centered than news oriented. I like that this article is driven by news and it pertains to the students. It’s the only piece I have written that includes my personal voice as well as a serious undertone, I enjoyed writing about a topic that was a serious dilemma that the school was facing.
ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 16, FEBRUARY 6, 2015
As my first inforgraphic, I am proud of how it turned out. I want it to represent me because it is an educational yet visually appealing page. The information flows well and I believe it is presented in an easy to read way. I am not a design-oriented person so any visual graphic of mine that ends up in the paper is an accomplishment for me.
EDZ, PAGE 2, DECEMBER 12, 2014
This was my favorite Letter From the Editor that I wrote because it presented a real issue in the news. As much as I enjoy writing about Harry Potter and why Thanksgiving shouldn’t be overlooked, I like writing about topics that pertain to real life. I want people to read this article and see the need for change in our society. I want it to represent me because it includes both facts and opinions with my voice thrown into the mix to make it personal.
reflection three
My previous portfolios are a train wreck. My sophomore year I had no idea how to design and my junior year I went crazy with the pen tool. The most significant area where I have grown is design. This year, I did not try and make anything extravagant or complex, I instead went for simplicity. My improvement is evident in works such as my memory infographic and my college map. Instead of struggling with being too modular, I had more creativity with my design. My taste of design has also changed over the year. In last year’s portfolio, I used lots of bright colors and tried too hard to make it pop. This year I liked subtle yet visually appealing designs that were not too overpowering. Design is not the only area in which I have improved. My familiarity with Photoshop and InDesign have helped me accomplish more and help others. When other’s encounter problems, I am able to help them because I have encountered the same problems in the previous two years. Producing the paper and completing all the necessary steps has become second nature to me. Even last year I had to think through everything I was doing and asked lots of questions. This year I felt as though I have been on staff for more than three years. I feel confident when I work, and that is the biggest difference between this year and the previous years.
deadline one Clips
EDZ, PAGE 2, OCTOBER 10, 2014
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Alternative Coverage
FEATURES, PAGE 7, OCTOBER 10, 2014
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deadline two Clips
FRONT, PAGE 1, NOVEMBER 7, 2014
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EDZ, PAGE 2, NOVEMBER 7, 2014
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SPORTS, PAGE 10, NOVEMBER 7, 2014
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deadline three Clips
EDZ, PAGE 2, DECEMBER 12, 2014
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ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 16, DECEMBER 12, 2014
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deadline Four Clips
EDZ, PAGE 2, FEBRUARY 6, 2015
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ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 16, FEBRUARY 6, 2015
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deadline five Clips
EDZ, PAGE 2, MARCH 13, 2015
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ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 16, MARCH 13, 2015
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deadline six
Clips
EDZ, PAGE 2, MAY 8, 2015
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ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 24, MAY 8, 2015
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ENTERTAINMENT, PAGE 28, MAY 8, 2015
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photography Clips
SPORTS, PAGE 10, NOVEMBER 7, 2014
TO THE PROMISED LAND. In a game against University, senior running back Darnell Burton runs the ball towards the end zone. “[When running], I just hope no one tackles me. I am focused on running as fast as I can,� Burton said. Burton has a total of 495 rushing yards and eight touchdowns this season.
Hilights.org
Clips
http://tinyurl.com/kcrqzfo
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http://tinyurl.com/knkhaxk
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http://tinyurl.com/ozy239l
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http://tinyurl.com/n5fo6v6
design one
dps
Friday, October 5, 2012 hilights.org
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Transformers
in keeping the Greek experience authentic and traditional. Opa, in Greek culture, means a password that conveys the festive Greek spirit; the restaurant lives up to its name. If looking for an intimate dinner with a significant other, Opa is not the place. Its atmosphere is better suited for large parties who do not mind the Onet ute prae vereribus dolupta sinciaest, sedis vent delit, sequis que nonsendit vendio. Tore, offic tem labo. Laut aliquia volum intibus mintium simpostia quid utate laut atiur sedi debis que doluptu sciditatem sa nos sa doluptur mi, etum qui nulparciatem rem ate ni cum dolorep erisqui delligendae. Itatium idebit, comnis eicid quis etur, tem eos cor sit il expel moluptat ra aut esto qui sandest orerferibus dollia doluptatatur sit facipis ant fugit eumque dolorios quo beatiist, volessunt veribus dolorum, temporestrum nemossit aut pre etur, cuptibusdae si ipsam quis audae necearcil intibus estiatur? El endebis et reium hil iumquis cilluptat. Untia voles voluptasped quiaspi scient dolo blam resectur aut lam quis venimus enem ipienda quas et preptatet veribus estis autem explicaboris est asperfe rovide dendit, tores pore nis explandia ipsae odi accuptae voluptaspere nullest, acid ma
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Which movie was your favorite?
By ANNA MARIE BORIA A delectable aroma fills the air as one walks into the lively restaurant of napkins rain down over the customers. With authentic Greek music playing to accompany the Greek decor, one is instantly transported to Greece. Taverna Opa, located in the heart of Pointe Orlando is as much of an experience as it is a restaurant. With the electric atmosphere, Opa is the perfect place to enjoy cuisine just as tasteful as the atmosphere is entertaining. With bold and colorful plants placed around the restaurant and Greek decor in every corner, Opa succeeds
headline goes here and here
ßstudentpoll
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This is a really good quotable quote that no one else can say and it will really make Burke happy to read.
hi-lights This would be some news brief that we could highlight but not write a story about. It could allow for more coverage on pages and throughout the paper. Short and sweet quick reads. That’s what readers like.
This would be some news brief that we could highlight but not write a story about. It could allow for more coverage on pages and throughout the paper. Short and sweet quick reads. That’s what readers like.
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QUICK HEADLINE HERE
Friday, October 5, 2012 hilights.org
QUICK HEADLINE HERE
hi-lights specialfeature
By ANNA MARIE BORIA A delectable aroma fills the air as one walks into the lively restaurant of napkins rain down over the customers. With authentic Greek music playing to accompany the Greek decor, one is instantly transported to Greece. Taverna Opa, located in the heart of Pointe Orlando is as much of an experience as it is a restaurant. With the electric atmosphere, Opa is the perfect place to enjoy cuisine just as tasteful as the atmosphere is entertaining. With bold and colorful plants placed around the restaurant and Greek decor in every corner, Opa succeeds in keeping the Greek experience authentic and traditional. Opa, in Greek culture, means a password that conveys the festive Greek spirit; the restaurant lives up to its name. If looking for an intimate dinner with a significant other, Opa is not the place. Its atmosphere is better suited for large parties who do not mind the Everro molest alici ommolup tamendis arcide dis dem fugiasp erchicipsus aspist verunt harunde di odisquiaepta
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By ANNA MARIE BORIA A delectable aroma fills the air as one walks into the lively restaurant of napkins rain down over the customers. With authentic Greek music playing to accompany the Greek decor, one is instantly transported to Greece. Taverna Opa, located in the heart of Pointe Orlando is as much of an experience as it is a restaurant. With the electric atmosphere, Opa is the perfect place to enjoy cuisine just as tasteful as the atmosphere is entertaining. With bold and colorful plants placed around the restaurant and Greek decor in every corner, Opa succeeds in keeping the Greek experience authentic and traditional. Opa, in Greek culture, means a password that conveys the festive Greek spirit; the restaurant lives up to its name. If looking for an intimate dinner with a significant other, Opa is not the place. Its atmosphere is better suited for large parties who do not mind the At pedigen itibus dolorerit qui alit maio is sinulpa ribusam, num atusant iorror molorehendit veligenima dolupta sa corrorporia et quunt, solorio nserior sapictae pratem consed quo isci corior alicil mo evenis molorem que pero beribea verior sequod quam quoditatio. Itatur ressimi llatus verepudit fuga. Caboratis adit laceri imporeptam eruptat emosam rerit pori de eaque si omnimporem ipsum voluptamus coriti volupta accus, sinciis sumet ipsam dolorestrum quia cus. Rioratus. Dia derum ex et ariberiatium quatum volupta vid quam sus debition nonsernatur, ime nat endaesedi officius, temperiorpor aut hil ipsus aditius, sin nobitibus sitempe
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Production costs headline here
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Tickets sales headline
Transformers smash box office
specialfeature
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design two
me page
FOREVER BRAVE