K I E R A R I L E Y
PORTFOLIO 2015-201 6
COVER LETTER Kiera Riley 5066 E Peak View Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (480)-620-0801 kiera10riley@gmail.com May 16, 2016 Lori Hart 5802 E Dove Valley Rd. Cave Creek, AZ 85331 (480)-575-2400 Dear Ms. Hart,
20 - Present
I am interested in an editor position on the Cactus Shadows Press in the upcoming school year. I have always had an interest in the many different forms of writing. Throughout my previous experiences as a staff writer and editor for the CS Press, I have learned an extensive array of skills regarding the many stylistic elements of one of these forms, journalism. My interest in English and curiosity about current events draws me to a position in journalism. I have continually kept straight A’s in my english classes since I was a child and I have continued to showcase my love and appreciation for literature. I have also attained a fair amount of knowledge about the principles of grammar. As both a staff writer and an opinion editor for the CS Press, I have continually learned more and more about all the different editing, design, and leadership skills that come along with being in a position of influence. I feel like this experience makes has given me a sufficient set of skills that qualify me for the job. Through my past few year, I have grown as a journalist and I now feel I am ready to become more of a leader to the staff of the press. Because of the many new staff members in the coming school year, I feel this leadership will assists in the successful production of an award-winning newspaper. I am thoroughly compelled to show my deep interest in this position and I hope I may be considered for the job. I can be reached at my email, kiera10riley@gmail.com, or my cell phone number, (480)-620-0801. Thank you for your time. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Kiera Riley
RESUME Kiera Riley 5066 E Peak View Rd. Cave Creek, AZ 85331 480-620-0801 kiera10riley@gmail.com
Objective -To effectively manage and edit a page on the Cac tus Shadows Press -Write articles in a timely fashion -Edit and communicate with staff members about possible changes -Exhibit leadership to the staff as a whole and inspire others to put out their best effort
Experience
-Honors English Student -Staff Writer on CS Press -Opinion Editor on CS Press -Staff Member on CS Literary Magazine -Quill and Scroll Journalism Honor Society
Education -Cactus Shadows High Schoool -College Prep Education
-2014-Present
Activities/Awards -CS Track Team -CS Swim Team -Literary Magazine -Best Reporting; 100+ Feet Above the Creek -Quill and Scroll Journalism Honor Society
References -Lauren Haggar; Travel Editor (603)-320-0631
Skills
-communication -leadership -problem solving skills -time management -honesty
-Annalee Barnett; Food Editor (602)-501-4233
SELF ANALYTICAL Throughout this year, I have gained a well of information about journalism and myself. Each issue of the paper has presented new challenges and it becomes both increasingly difficult and interesting to learn more about these topics. Whether it is physical production of the newspaper or the ethics taught along the way, each lesson increases my understanding of the world of journalism. Beginning with physical production skills, I have seen what it takes to create a newspaper. First, developing a solid end product requires effort from every aspect of the paper, staff writers and editors alike. Each element needs to come together in order to cultivate success. I learned how important it is to create articles that are punctual as well as high quality. Reaching the highest possible quality can be achieved through editing. Editing and providing personal insight to other writers assists both people involved and should be utilized at every given opportunity. This plays into the need to communicate. As an editor in the second semester, I learned about the role communication plays in a healthy and productive news team. Editors need to be discussing the goals, issues and advances with the different articles on the page. This communication prevents errors and mistakes among the staff as a whole. An example of a lack of communication was when I wrote an article about prom restaurants and failed to get interviews for the article. I learned from this mistake how important it is to talk to editors about the different problems in order to fix and improve upon these mistakes. Teamwork plays a vital role in production as working together advances progress as a paper. Every single person needs to do their part, and do it on time, to help out fellow members. Each staff member contributed an element that will overall complete the paper. Because of this, teamwork also plays a substantial role in the success of the paper. Team work and production also gives way to deadlines. I have learned the full extent of stress that comes along with deadlines but I have also realized the immense importance of them as well. Every day that an article is not complete is another day that the paper is held back. As aggravating and difficult as they can be, it is vital to the overall achievement of the paper. It is a disservice to the editors and the staff as a whole to ignore or neglect set due dates. In my new position this year, I ex-
perienced the first hand frustration with missing articles. This realization led me to truly understand the issues with turning in articles late. To avoid this, staff members and editors must lead by demonstration through their commitment to the paper. Dedication to the paper entails hard work, planning, and discipline. This means scheduling interviews early and getting articles done on time. Giving 100 percent attention and effort to the quality is important as well. Paying attention to detail makes for a better paper in all. The validity of the paper is often valued on the basis of the truth it holds. This ties into the ethics of journalism. Priority should be seeking the facts. Making up data, scenarios, or quotes is completely unethical and should be avoided at all costs. Opinion also does not have a place in news stories, especially when coming directly from the writer. Personal bias should not interrupt the truth and both sides of the story should be reported effectively. It is an obligation of every journalist to follow these codes. It is also the journalist’s responsibility to get ads for the paper. In order to sustain the continuation of the paper, staff and editors need to make sales to pay for printing. This semester I worked with Lauren Haggar to sell ads in order to fund the paper. On our sales day, we sold around three ads. I have learned to be kind and persuasive while also taking defeats with a grain of salt. The process of advertisement sales can be trying but it is vital to sustaining a sufficient fund to run the paper. I will use the majority of these skills in the near and far future, not only in journalism but in other aspects of my life as well. Deadlines have taught me discipline and time management and these are tools that can be carried into every aspect of my life. The difficulty of these lessons makes them hard to fully utilize; however, through this class I have completely comprehended their significance. Dedication is also another important lesson as it also finds meaning in relationships and school work. It is honorable to be loyal and devoted. Also the ethics of journalism teach general honesty. Honesty will intertwine with all other lessons as being real with yourself and others carries into dedication and discipline. These morals and lessons will follow me through my entire life.
REFLECTION 1
My most significant contribution to the paper this semester was my article about rock climbing at the Boulders. The purpose was to explain more about one of the more popular tourist attractions in Cave Creek. This article was easy to write as I interviewed the owner of the company, Rico Riley, with ease. The students I talked to had all gone rock climbing before, so they spoke from experience. I had also gone rock climbing prior to writing the article so having that background information really helped with the overall completion of the article. I had the opportunity to go climbing again with Lauren Haggar and Nicole Neri to finish the article and take pictures for the spread. This assisted me in writing my article. The first draft did not contain as much information
about the experience itself. It briefly covered the activities offered at the Boulders and the basic information about them. It evolved from there to a more telling piece about the rock climbing experience itself. The interviews also added a lot to it as it provided first hand accounts of the topics discussed. I learned how to submerse myself in the article and truly make it my own. I also learned the importance of a good interview and how to correctly conduct one. Interviews can make or break a story, it is important to ensure that the quotes being used are beneficial to the story. I won an award for best reporting for my “100+ Feet Above Cave Creek� article. I enjoyed writing it and reporting on it and I learned a lot from process of creating the article.
FINAL SPREAD CREEKER “If you just pay attention to the rock and keep climbing you’ll be fine.” Drew Ballard, a sophomore and climbing enthusiast
100+ FEET ABOVE THE CREEK STUDENTS TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF CLIMBING THE BOULDERS
R
By Kiera Riley
§ Staff Writer
ICO Riley,
the owner of Black Mountain Adventures discusses his business in outdoor endeavors, including hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Black Mountain Adventures is a company owned and operated by Riley, offering activities such as mountain biking, night biking, hiking, and rock climbing. These tours are open to people of all ages with the exception of rock climbing. The minimum age for rock climbing is 16. “We could have anyone from beginner to advanced because we have so many options available,” said Riley. These tours are available to patrons at the Boulders resort as well as locals. Individuals can sign up at the spa at the Boulders Resort. Rates for mountain biking and night biking are around $115, hiking is $85 and rock climbing is $135. Rock climbing is done on property at the Boulders. A trail leads guests through a cave to the site of the climb. Once at the spot, there is a visible view of the mountains and a golf course below. “The environment was
a little rocky, but the view was beautiful,” said Connor Hanson, a sophomore. The wall that guests climb is around eighty feet tall. There is also a practice boulder where beginners can get a feel for climbing. Guests are secured in a harness which is controlled through a belay by the guide. “It was physically demanding but I think that anyone really could do it if they wanted to,” said Drew Ballard, a sophomore. The guides show guest proper form and assist every step of the way. The aspects of the climb, such as the height and surface, can be frightening to some, but guides cater to the guests and their different skill levels. The climb is all in the legs as opposed to the arms. Proper footing can make or break a climb. “I could definitely see it being a little intimidating for people, if you just pay attention to the rock and keep climbing you’ll be fine” said Ballard. Besides the guided tours, there are variations of routes to climb for experienced rock climbers as The Boulders offer a diverse set of climbing paths. “If you’re climbing with
me I would just say to follow my instructions, and it’s more about technique than it is about strength, so if you do go climbing on your own make sure you go with someone who knows what they’re doing and has the proper equipment,” said Riley Guests are protected as proper measures are taken to ensure their safety. The ropes set up are made to secure as they are checked and changed out every six months. However, in past months individuals have trespassed onto Boulder’s property, which poses a threat to both the guides and the guests. “I am holding people’s ropes below and if anyone is trespassing on top of the rocks they are either going to get themselves in danger or accidentally kick rocks towards me and my guest putting us in danger, so I strongly urge individuals not to trespass,” said Riley. There are cases of individuals getting stuck on top of the boulders and disturbing the rope set up. Although this has been a reoccurring problem, new management at the resort have been dealing with the problem by directly calling the authorities.
SCALING THE HEIGHTS Kiera Riley takes on the steep infrastructure of The Boulders. One hundred feet above the Cave Creek, Kiera and father Rico Riley guide beginner and veteran climbers up the ancient rocks. Various routes and diverse paths lead climbers up and beyond the prehistoric sculptures. 4NICOLE NERI
12 ■ FEBRUARY 12, 2016
THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS
REFLECTION 2
My piece that needs the most work was the prom restaurant article. This was my least significant contribution to the paper because I did not allot enough time to make it a good article. The editing on the my part was weak and I did not have all the required elements. I neglected my responsibility to get interviews from teachers and students. Because of this, my article became a weird mix of opinion and review. I did not put the time and effort into this article that I should have. My time management was lacking and I did not take an appropriate amount of time to research, interview and write. I learned
how important it is to get outside opinion in any article. The lack of interviews broke the article and made it tough for the editors to run it in the paper. I learned how to time manage and balance workload so articles are not left on the back burner. I also learned the importance of extending past the word count. I did the bare minimum on this article resulting in a poorlywritten, short article. Interviews also are necessary to any article so I now know how a lack of quotes can devastate an article. Communication also plays a role because I did not talk to my editors about what they wanted from the article.
FIRST DRAFT
When searching for the perfect prom restaurant, there are a few elements that should be considered. The amount of people in the party is something to take into consideration. A larger party will require reservations while a couple would not necessarily need one. But if the restaurant is more popular, making reservations anyway is the way to go. It also helps to know the amount of people going because payment can differ. There can be a limit on the amount of checks so when going with a group, it would be easier to split the bill. Figuring out payment beforehand will prevent any mishaps at dinner. It is also important to think about the type of food at the restaurant. If prior to dinner, it took a few hours to get ready, it probably is not the best idea to eat anything messy. Steering clear of barbeque or anything excessively sloppy will help to avoid stains or messes. Timing also helps in planning out the night.
Knowing when prom starts and how long it will take to eat and get to the venue will help in making reservations at the restaurant. This also helps in knowing when to start getting ready as well as when to leave for dinner. There is a large amount of restaurants in the Scottsdale area that offer both reasonably priced food and a cool atmosphere. Depending on the venue, any of these could make for a successful prom night dinner with either a group or just a date. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse at Desert Ridge offers a large array of options. With pizza, handcrafted burgers, salads, and pizookies, there is an option for everyone. The pricing is moderate. Grimaldi’s at DC Ranch offers Italian cuisine with pizzas and salads big enough to share. With big groups, dining would be quick and easy. The atmosphere is that of an authentic italian restaurant and the pricing is decent.
FINAL SPREAD
Q By REES BIXLER
AVOCADO ROLL prepared at Ra in the Kierland Commons, is drizzled with a spicy mustard and served with wasabi and ginger. 4REES BIXLER
§ spotlight editor
UALITY sushi is prepared on the spot at a restaurant. The rice used on the outside of the seaweed is washed three times to stay moist and stick to the seaweed. The size and shape of the roll are consistent, being made by chefs who has been working in the sushi-making art for many years. Many have tried sushi and say they do not like it, but one must try professionally made sushi in order to finally decide if they are in favor of it. It can be disheartening for a beginner trying sushi for the first time, choosing a cheaper solution, to find the roll is mushy, chewy, or the rice is hard.
“Fast food” sushi may seem good at first, but once one tries sushi at a restaurant, they won’t go back. The difference between how fresh the roll is, and the quality of meat, rice, or vegetable in the sushi is substantial. When one has tried well prepared and ill prepared sushi, they than can tell when they eat bad sushi. Some popular places that quality sushi may be found are Sushi Station located at Desert Ridge, and Ra located at Kierland Commons. A common roll to start off your sushi career is a caterpillar roll, dragon roll, or shrimp tempura. All of these contain no raw fish and are packed full of taste. Sushi is a filling food and on average will only take
one and a half to two rolls to become full. Sashimi is the sibling of sushi. It is sliced raw fish such as tuna, squid, salmon, and other salt water creatures. The biggest difference between the two is sushi includes upwards of four ingredients and sashimi includes one to two ingredients, which are the raw fish by itself or sashimi paired with some rice. Don't be concerned once you randomly start craving sushi. This is normal and there is no need for concern. The prime time to get sushi is 3 to 6 during happy hour. It is not the cheapest food choice, but happy hours’ prices can cut your bill in half.
A perfect restaurant for a perfect prom night PROM IS THE ONE NIGHT OF THE year where everything has to be perfect, so to have a flawless night, the ideal restaurant has to be found. There are many options such as Oreganos, OPINION BJ’s Restaurant KEIRA RILEY and Brewhouse, Yardhouse, the Keg, White Chocolate Grill, and many others For a nice time, finding a sit down restaurant would be ideal so that time can be taken to really relish the night and have a good time. The number of people in the party is something to take into account. A larger party will require reservations while a couple would not necessarily need one. But if the restaurant is more popular, making reservations is the way 12 ■ APRIL 15, 2016
to go. However depending on the restaurant, reservation options may not be available. It also helps to know the amount of people going because payment needs to be organized ahead of time. There can be a limit on the amount of checks so when going with a group, it would be easier to split the bill. Figuring out payment beforehand will prevent any mishaps at dinner. It is also important to think about the type of food at the restaurant. If prior to dinner, it took a few hours to get ready, it probably is not the best idea to eat anything messy. Steering clear of barbeque or anything excessively sloppy will help to avoid stains or messes that could potentially make your might take a turn for the worse. Timing also helps in choosing a restaurant. Knowing when prom starts and how long it
will take to eat and get to the venue will help in making reservations at the restaurant. This also helps in knowing when to start getting ready as well as when to leave for dinner. It is important to be excessively diligent in planning ahead. There is a wide array of restaurants in the Scottsdale area that offer both reasonably priced food and a trendy atmosphere. Depending on the venue, any of these could make for a successful prom night dinner with either a group or just a date. BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse at Desert Ridge offers a large array of options. With pizza, hand-crafted burgers, salads, and pizookies, there is an option for everyone. The pricing is moderate. Grimaldi’s at DC Ranch offers Italian cuisine with pizzas and salads big enough to share.
With large groups, dining would be quick and easy. The atmosphere is that of an authentic Italian restaurant and the pricing is decent. The Keg Steakhouse and Grill is located at the Desert Ridge Marketplace and is a classier option. Although it is slightly more expensive, the restaurant has a wide array of food for nearly any craving.
There is a wide array of restaurants in the Scottsdale area that offer both reasonably priced food and a trendy atmosphere. THE CACTUS SHADOWS PRESS
REFLECTION 3
The amount of pictures I took this year was small in numbers but I did manage to publish some in the paper. My favorite is one I took for the popsicles article in the May issue. It is of my sister eating a popsicle. I like it because of the emotion on her face. She is genuinely enjoying that popsicle and it is evident through her ex-
pression. I like the colors as well because they pair nicely while contrasting with each other. The photo also uses the rule of thirds. She is not centered in the middle of the photo, she is staggered to the side. She is looking at the camera but it provides an affect that conveys happiness.
PHOTO
REFLECTION 4
I was an asset to the CS Press this semester because I had the opportunity to step up to an editor position. I got to layout and manage the opinion page which plays a substantail role in the paper. Because of this upgrade, I invested myself in the paper with a deeper interest than I did as a staff writer. I learned a lot about the job of editing and continued to grow as a writer. This semester I made it a point to attend all of the production days. As an editor, it becomes more important to be present and working to acheive a successful paper. I also stayed later than necessary to help with making ads, and assisting fellow editors with their pages, headlines, and captions. I feel like
my articles also improved throughout the semester. I tried harder to get my articles in on time and take the extra time to work on them. I felt it was important to continually improve the condition of the articles and self-edit as well as receive feedback from others. I also applied my editing to the articles of others in order to make sure my pages were without error. On a lot of my articles I feel I went above and beyond to make sure it covered all the information. I try my best on all of the pieces I turn in as well as all of the pages I edit. I feel I have tried to lead by example among my peers which overall progresses the work in the class.
REFLECTION 5 A)
I feel the biggest hardship I faced this year was issues on my pages. Often I would not spend enough time editing articles or talking to staff members about what needed to be changed Because of this, I spent a lot of extra time editing the articles last minute which caused me to miss a lot of the errors on the page. It also caused many articles to stay the same, despite trying to talk to staff members about changing them.
B)
I learned a lot from the issues I faced. Communication is the most important thing when it comes to this problem. The ability to talk to staff members in a constructive way is can make or break an article. It is vital to avoid being so harsh but it is also crucial to get your points across in a way where there is a general understanding of what needs to be changed. If these problems arose again I would handle it differently. I would talk directly to the person about what needs to be changed and help them change it. I would go farther than suggestions and I would involve myself in their editing process as well.
C)
Overall, I feel there were many situations in which I could have handled these issues better. I did not invest myself in the articles enough to involve myself in the process of editing. I never went past suggestions left in google docs. It is important to have face to face communication and this is what I will apply to my position next year.
REFLECTION 6
My greatest weakness was probably my time management. This, unfortunately continues to be a present issue despite acknowledging it in my last reflection. I have gotten better about starting articles on time and planning out when things need to be done by. Despite this, I constantly find myself writing articles at 10 pm the night before they are due. I do get my articles done but the process I take to get them done is not efficient nor effective. I feel the new system that is being utilized in
the next year will assists me in getting things done on time. Following this timeline prudently will be what ultimately result in managing my time better. I should also begin planning interviews the day I receive the assignment. I also feel it may be important to complete outlines on time because I have realized they help me in a significant way. Overall, I feel if I create and follow a system for myself and get into a routine of doing it, I will improve my time management and procrastination.
FEBRUARY
news pg. 6 2-/12/16
FEBRUARY
creeker pg. 12 2/12/16
FEBRUARY
style pg. 15 2/12/16
FEBRUARY
opinion pg. 9 2/12/16
FEBRUARY
foodie pg. 16 2/12/16
MARCH
front page pg. 1 3/11/16
MARCH
front page pg. 2 3/11/16
MARCH
foodie pg. 12 3/11/16
MARCH
creeker pg. 21 3/11/16
MARCH
sports pg. 27 3/11/16
MARCH
opinion pg. 8 3/11/16
MARCH
opinion pg. 9 3/11/16
MARCH
opinion pg. 10 3/11/16
APRIL
foodie pg. 12 4/15/16
APRIL
spotlight pg. 16 4/15/16
APRIL
travel pg. 18 4/15/16
APRIL
opinion pg. 8 4/15/16
APRIL
opinion pg. 9 4/15/16
APRIL
opinion pg. 10 4/15/16
MAY
news pg. 4 5/13/16
MAY
news pg. 6 5/13/16
MAY
food pg. 10 5/13/16
MAY
creeker pg. 22 5/13/16
MAY
travel pg. 24 5/13/16
MAY
opinion pg. 7 5/13/16
MAY
opinion pg. 8 5/13/16
MAY
opinion pg. 9 5/13/16
all about me