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Jayne Miller ’10 (Bethel, Pa.) will serve as co-anchor for the College’s second student-run, live election broadcast on Nov. 4. The policy studies major also co-anchored the 2006 broadcast.
Sitting in the anchor’s chair for the first election broadcast was completely terrifying, completely thrilling, and completely addicting. As a first year student, I had no idea that election night 2006 would set the tone for the three years to follow, including finding my way into the policy studies department and getting another chance to sit in the anchor’s chair. But here I am again, terrified, thrilled, and just itching to go live.
After I read my job description for the 2008 broadcast, I decided to hit the books a bit harder this time around. I received notice that I would be the returns anchor, playing the role of Vanna White with a Smart Board – complete with maps to chronicle the election results – offering commentary and analysis alongside two of my peers. This meant I’d be standing, pointing, talking, interviewing, and delivering results all at once. And most of it would be unscripted!
They wanted me to do what, now?
The position completely threw me at first, but I quickly learned I was not alone. With the help of WFMZ anchor Nancy Werteen, Professor Mark Crain, and fellow policy studies major Chris Haight ’09, this role now seems completely doable. A slew of Tuesday morning training sessions, numerous Wall Street Journal articles, and lots of time spent with CNN and Fox News is slowly but surely making this happen. I know what I’m talking about now, and it’s wonderful! Want to talk swing states? Key voting demographics? The big Senate races? Bring it on.
I feel that one of the reasons we’ve seen success so soon is the formation of a class to accompany the broadcast, which is something we didn’t have in the past. Every week, we all sit down and work together to make this project happen. I know that I have more confidence because of this time together.
The class has also allowed me the opportunity to really stretch my broadcast journalism muscles by making a news package that will also air on Nov. 4 in addition to the work I’ll do live. For this segment, Haight, Jason Pang ’10, and I made our way to Washington, D.C., to interview lobbyists about reform in the 2008 election. In one weekend, I interviewed the Chamber of Commerce vice president, learned how to use state-of-the-art video equipment, and was asked several times if I was with a professional news team, all while taking in my favorite city. I can’t wait to see what our final project looks like, but I know all three of us are really proud of the work we’ve done thus far.
Until we go live, you can find me in our mock TV studio in Conway House practicing with my team, or lugging around huge black duffle bags of video equipment (yes, I’m that girl on campus). Am I still a little terrified? Yes, but I like to believe a little bit of nerves is a good thing.
Back to you!