WJI 2021, Day 6 AM - Determination Quotient

For many students, Thursday morning actually started in the media lab deep in the night: revisions of obituaries that would soon need more revisions and adventures into Adobe premiere, all with the company of a wild raccoon near the GIFT statue.

Like zombies, the WJIers rolled out of bed on Thursday morning—the trampled mushrooms reflecting their exhausted countenance. After trudging to class on a gray but humid morning, a few students started studying the 13 tips, redefined by Nick as rules, of broadcasting and radio. Students ripped sheets of notebook paper and started scribbling shorthand of the rules.

I used a green sharpie and churned out rule after rule. After winning the first day and taking second place the second day—and yet somehow I won nothing either day—the prospects of finally succeeding appeared high. After enduring selfie-shame and shirt-shame, I thought knowing all 13 rules could result in redemption. Alas, as I came upon the final line, number 13, my mind went blank. Paul called out 30 seconds, 15, and then time. Lauren D. won the virtual gold medal by knowing all 13; I forgot ‘use titles sparingly.’

Paul commanded us to tell one another ‘how nice you look.’ The WJI scholars donned ties, suits, fancy skirts and dresses, jackets: all dashing. I, however, wore dark jeans and a short sleeve button up shirt—not the broadcasting journalist aesthetic people look for. At least talking in front of a camera was fun (sorry for the passive voice).

As the morning came to an end, the gray clouds continued. The WJI scholars brainstormed potential Pitts Ps for the night: perspiration, pass-out, pedobaptism, prayer, and pneumonia. The scholars took deep breaths, read their scripts out-loud, and strove to improve their DQ.

Sentimentality is dangerous, but sometimes it’s worth the bad writing it reflects. While this week has been filled with nervousness, discomfort, and lack of sleep, I wouldn’t have wanted to experience it with any other group. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to drive these WJI campers around in a 13-passenger van.

“The world isn’t in your books and maps; it’s out there.” —J.R.R. Tolkien The Hobbit

For all my fellow WJIers, may we tell the stories the rest of the world neglects,

—Zac VanderLey