She came into the studio nervous for her interview. I had her sit in her seat and miked her up. She had the biggest smile in the world. Her Mom was sitting in one of the guest studio chairs. I dimmed the floor lights and amped up the set lights. I could tell she was extremely nervous so I tried to lighten up the mood.
"Hi I'm Ashley, what's your name?" Her face lit up the second I started talking to her.
"Jessica."
"So what are you going to be talking about today?"
"This anti bullying program we have at my high school."
"That's awesome," I replied. Her smile gets even bigger, "Thanks. I just hate seeing people being bullied or harassed and usually step in if I'm around when it happens. I just think it's so stupid for people to pick on other people." I nod my head in agreement. "I just don't get the point of it, what purpose does it serve. Why make someone feel like crap because you think their different or whatever stupid reason you have."
"Exactly, so what does your program exactly do to help prevent that?"
"Well it's basically a place for the bullied and bullies. It's just like a hang out spot where no one is going to get picked on while there. Or if they're having a bad day, or a great day and just want someone to talk to ya know."
"That sounds like a great place." Jessica was slowly getting comfortable.
"Yeah, I'm trying to make it that when someone gets in trouble for bullying that they come to our program so that we can talk to them as peers and tell them how it's wrong, and maybe even have them hangout with that person they bullied to actually really get to know them. Because suspending someone or giving them detention doesn't fix the problem." I looked at her Mom, "You got a smart girl. Seems like she has a good head on her shoulders." The Mom smiled appreciatively and proud, "Thank you, I do." The reporter Aubrey walks in barefoot with her heels in hand.
"Hi Ashley," she says in her upbeat Aubrey tone.
"Hey Aubrey," I replied. Aubrey cheerfully looks at Jessica and her Mom, "Hi Jessica, so glad you could make it."
"Thanks, so glad to be here."
"Sorry I'm running a little late, had to finish up on another story I'm covering."
"What's your other story about," Jessica asks. Aubrey smiles enthusiastically and motions with her hands, "Breaking News," she laughs "how eating too much fast food can make you fat," she says sarcastically. We all smile and chuckle a little. Aubrey puts on her black stilettos. "Yeah, there's no good news today."
"I love your shoes," Jessica says.
"Thanks," I literally only wear them for my sit down interviews, there is no way you would catch me walking in these monsters anywhere without falling." She pulls out a pocket mirror from her purse along with a red lipstick she begins applying on. Aubrey was about five foot four with long thick curly brown hair, that she straightened everyday she came into work. She had splatters of freckles on her face that she tried really hard to cover up with make up, even though a few of them would peak through. She had on a light blue collared button up shirt, black slacks with the jacket to match and a few jewelry garnishments to give the standard reporter look an extra hint of her own flare.
"How much time 'til show?" she asks me. I push the button on my headset to speak to Oscar the producer, "How much time til show?"
"Four-thirty."
"Four minutes and thirty seconds," I tell Aubrey.
"OK." Jessica tenses up a little bit every time I gave time cues that started getting closer and closer to show time. Aubrey asks, "are you nervous Jessica."
"Yeah," she says shyly.
"You'll do great," I tell her, "plus this show isn't live so no one is watching you right now, except for Mom that is." They both smile, and her Mom gives me that thank you look. Oscar gives me the final count down.
"Alright," I say loudly, "in five, four, three," my voice trickles down to a whisper, "two, one," I point at Aubrey and right on cue she starts.
"Good morning I'm Aubrey Hilkems. Today we have a story on bullying and how one student is doing everything in her power to make that stop." Aubrey began the interview and it went smoothly. Jessica began going in depth about her project and how she wanted it to expand at high schools all over. She spoke with such happiness, and joy, and determination. I felt nostalgic looking at her. I remembered when I used to be like Jessica, filled with dreams of passion. Excited for the future and all the possibilities that can come with it, and how I couldn't wait to be older to make all of that happen. Where had my hope gone? What happened to me, life happened. The cold true brutal touch of life grasped me in it's palm and squeezed me dry of all my dreams. Life put people in my path that told me no, obstacles that made me struggle, and overall give up. I used to want to be a reporter like Aubrey. I wanted to travel the world reporting on stories that mattered and effected people. But then I became so discouraged. I was told that people aren't hiring reporters in this economic fall back.
I remember when I told the News Director as a fresh new intern at the station how I wanted to report. He responded, "That's awesome. But most stations already have their set reporters and anchors, they don't really hire new ones unless someone quits. And most people, honey, don't quit. It's the job they take till their buried in the dirt." I smiled at him, and felt a huge let down of disappointment. More and more people at the station would tell me how the pay isn't good, and your just worked to the bone, and to 'get out while I can." I noticed everyone was overall depressed and just wanted to leave as soon as possible but never did, it was as though they were trapped. After my internship I got a job editing video for the show and moving around the studio cameras for the live broadcasts. At first it was hard, but then it became like second nature to me. And then I just got comfortable, and slowly, day by day, I just let my dreams go and became completely fine with being content. Until I saw Jessica. She reminded of the spark I used to have, the fire that used to drive me.
The interview ended and I commended Jessica on what a great job she did and how I hoped she continued with her project. She left feeling great, and as I saw her exit the doors I thought, 'please don't lose your fire Jessica.'
