FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2010
Contact: Tylor Tourville
University of Maine
Kennebec Hall Rm 209
Orono, ME 04469
"International Dance Festival Gives Umaine students a Taste of many Cultures"
Umaine, Orono-- University of Maine students will have the opportunity to experience culture from the perspective of dance at this year's International Dance Festival. Perfomances from over 9 countries, and styles of dance that vary from belly dancing, to swing dancing, and almost everything in between.
The International Dance Festival is in its 6th year now, and is going as strong as ever. Last year saw the most success, with over 100 participants, and drew over 2,000people who attended the event. This year hopefully will be no different, as students and other contributors have been working just as hard to put on yet another unoforgettable show. Needless to say, the International Dance Festival has become a mainstay in the culture of Umaine. The performances are sure to be exciting and entertaining, while also giving Umaine students a taste of a variety of cultures.
The performance will take place at the Collins Center for the Arts this Saturday, February 20, 2010. There will be two showings, one at 2PM and the other at 7PM. Due to the generosity of several sources, including the Office International Programs, International Student association, and Student Government, and is free for Umaine students with a Mainecard.
We hope to see many students and faculty at this year's International Dance Festival.
Warmest regards,
(This is where I would sign)
Tylor Tourville
PR Correspondant
Friday, February 19, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Profile Story: Ryan Martin, Sophomore Guard for the Umaine Black Bears
Waiting to Go Off
After a stellar pre-collegiate career, Ryan Martin, a red shirt freshman of the University of Maine Black Bears, is waiting for his moment to explode onto the Division I scene.
“I’m just sitting in the shadows, working my butt off every day. One day you’re going to see what I’ve got,” red shirt sophomore Ryan Martin calmly explained to me. However, sitting in the shadows is something that Ryan has never done before.
Ryan Martin’s basketball accolades basically date back to when he could hold a basketball. From recreational league basketball, to AAU, to a high school career in which he scored an unheard of 1,899 points, Martin has seen the spotlight and garnered attention wherever there is a basketball. In addition to all of this, Martin states that one of the most important accomplishments came when he was about ten years old. He won a national free-throw shooting contest in which he hit forty-nine out of fifty free-throws. “It is one of my most vivid memories looking back,” Martin explains, “that, and the two state championships I won when I was at Maranacook (High School).”
Judging from Martin’s success, one might guess that the transition into the ocean from the proverbial small pond of Maranacook would shock him. Ryan says that he’s gotten used to it, but that his past success is what will ultimately drive him to success when he gets his chance to showcase what he is made out of. Although he is known for being rather mild mannered and quiet on and off the court, there is always an aurora of confidence that surrounds him, and he is a big believer in the phrase, “actions speak louder than words.” However, I did prod him to see just how good he thinks he is. “I think that deep down I can play in the league,” explained Ryan in a calm, confident voice, “I have a lot of confidence in my ability as a player, and when my chance comes, you better believe I am not going to miss it.”
When I asked Ryan where his love of the game came from, he gave a lot of credit to his father, as well as his older sister, who is currently playing professionally overseas. “Basketball was never forced upon me, but my parents and my sister always supported to the fullest.” Needless to say, basketball is as much a part of him as his own body parts, or his personality. And as he waits in the shadows of this season, one thing is for sure; we do not want to miss it when he explodes onto the scene.
After a stellar pre-collegiate career, Ryan Martin, a red shirt freshman of the University of Maine Black Bears, is waiting for his moment to explode onto the Division I scene.
“I’m just sitting in the shadows, working my butt off every day. One day you’re going to see what I’ve got,” red shirt sophomore Ryan Martin calmly explained to me. However, sitting in the shadows is something that Ryan has never done before.
Ryan Martin’s basketball accolades basically date back to when he could hold a basketball. From recreational league basketball, to AAU, to a high school career in which he scored an unheard of 1,899 points, Martin has seen the spotlight and garnered attention wherever there is a basketball. In addition to all of this, Martin states that one of the most important accomplishments came when he was about ten years old. He won a national free-throw shooting contest in which he hit forty-nine out of fifty free-throws. “It is one of my most vivid memories looking back,” Martin explains, “that, and the two state championships I won when I was at Maranacook (High School).”
Judging from Martin’s success, one might guess that the transition into the ocean from the proverbial small pond of Maranacook would shock him. Ryan says that he’s gotten used to it, but that his past success is what will ultimately drive him to success when he gets his chance to showcase what he is made out of. Although he is known for being rather mild mannered and quiet on and off the court, there is always an aurora of confidence that surrounds him, and he is a big believer in the phrase, “actions speak louder than words.” However, I did prod him to see just how good he thinks he is. “I think that deep down I can play in the league,” explained Ryan in a calm, confident voice, “I have a lot of confidence in my ability as a player, and when my chance comes, you better believe I am not going to miss it.”
When I asked Ryan where his love of the game came from, he gave a lot of credit to his father, as well as his older sister, who is currently playing professionally overseas. “Basketball was never forced upon me, but my parents and my sister always supported to the fullest.” Needless to say, basketball is as much a part of him as his own body parts, or his personality. And as he waits in the shadows of this season, one thing is for sure; we do not want to miss it when he explodes onto the scene.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Response to a News Story: WLBZ2 Bangor
Toy Gun Suspension
This particular newscast pertains to 9 year-old Patrick Timoeny, who sat in the principal's office facing possible suspension from school for playing with a two-inch plastic gun. This news story was very well written for the most part, as I only heard a passive verb tense once in the broadcast, which is when the reporter stated that Patrick was, "threatened with suspension". Other than that, the story was well written in terms of style and mechanics.
In terms of content, however, I felt like the story lacked an objective aspect of reporting the story. To the average person, this story would seem to only have one side to it. However, I think it is important to keep in mind that the people in charge of running schools should always be on guard, and take nothing lightly. Obviously the toy gun could do little or damage to anyone in the school, however, it seems as though whenever guns are concerned, it raises concern. The reporting on this story heavily favored the side of Patrick and his family. Patrick, along with his mother, father answered questions for the reporters. On top of this, another parent and student answered questions, and gave their respective commentary on the events. The reporters, however, failed to interview anyone from the school, and only mentioned that the principal would not comment to the press in this situation.
In addition to the lack of reporting on the other side of this controversy, the actually writing of the story favored the side of Patrick. Patrick was "threatened" with suspension, he "sat in the principal's office in tears", and at one point little Patrick even called out the principal herself, telling reporters that he did not know why the principal wanted to create a "commotion." Although I do agree with the angle that the news station took on this story, I feel like the reporters and people working on writing this story could have taken a less biased approach to an issue that does in fact have two sides.
This particular newscast pertains to 9 year-old Patrick Timoeny, who sat in the principal's office facing possible suspension from school for playing with a two-inch plastic gun. This news story was very well written for the most part, as I only heard a passive verb tense once in the broadcast, which is when the reporter stated that Patrick was, "threatened with suspension". Other than that, the story was well written in terms of style and mechanics.
In terms of content, however, I felt like the story lacked an objective aspect of reporting the story. To the average person, this story would seem to only have one side to it. However, I think it is important to keep in mind that the people in charge of running schools should always be on guard, and take nothing lightly. Obviously the toy gun could do little or damage to anyone in the school, however, it seems as though whenever guns are concerned, it raises concern. The reporting on this story heavily favored the side of Patrick and his family. Patrick, along with his mother, father answered questions for the reporters. On top of this, another parent and student answered questions, and gave their respective commentary on the events. The reporters, however, failed to interview anyone from the school, and only mentioned that the principal would not comment to the press in this situation.
In addition to the lack of reporting on the other side of this controversy, the actually writing of the story favored the side of Patrick. Patrick was "threatened" with suspension, he "sat in the principal's office in tears", and at one point little Patrick even called out the principal herself, telling reporters that he did not know why the principal wanted to create a "commotion." Although I do agree with the angle that the news station took on this story, I feel like the reporters and people working on writing this story could have taken a less biased approach to an issue that does in fact have two sides.
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