Final Story/ writers choice

Former Oregon Duck Dennis Dixon misses opportunity to become hero in NFL.

At a glance:

What: Sunday night football game
Who: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
When: Sunday, November 29th
T.V. Station: NBC
Outcome: Ravens win game 20-17 in overtime




Former Oregon Duck quarterback Dennis Dixon got his chance to come up huge for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night playing against the Baltimore Ravens. He fell short of becoming a Pittsburgh hero and giving ducks fans everywhere much satisfaction though. The Ravens won the game in sudden death overtime with a short field goal.

Dixon played good early in the game showing good consistency with his throws and mainly handing the ball off to multiple Steelers running backs. The game was a close defensive battle the entire first half and into the fourth quarter.

The steelers were down by four points 14-10 in the fourth quarter. That was when Dixon came up huge scoring a touchdown by looping around the outside and running untouched into the endzone. The steelers took the lead and ducks fans everywhere were gleaming with pride, to quote my friend Cole at that exact moment. "It's all about the "O"."

However the steelers did not hold the lead long as ravens kicker Billy Cundiff connected on a mid-range field goal to tie the game at 17-17.

Dixon took the field with barely under two minutes left in the game and did not perform nearly as well as when he scored earlier in the fourth quarter. The steelers called two straight passing plays and Dixon threw two incompletions, both on very bad reads of the defense.

The ravens then got the ball and after a good return of the steelers punt they had decent field position. Thats when steelers cornerback Ike Taylor called was for pass interference on a deep pass and the ravens were in field goal range.

However the ravens allowed the clock to wind down and had to force a very quick field goal attempt up. Billy Cundiff almost became the hero then, but barely missed the the last second field goal by just inches.

The game went to sudden death overtime and after Pittsburgh captain Hines Ward called tails and won the coin flip the steelers had a chance to win the game.

After Dixon ran a quarterback sneak for a first down on the first drive of overtime it looked as though the steelers were gaining momentum and ready to march down field for the win.
Then Dixon threw two straight passes and once again missed them both horribly and the steelers were forced to punt the ball away to give the ravens a chance to win the game.

The steelers defense held strong though and stopped the ravens from scoring and forced them to punt the ball away for yet another chance for Dixon to run a game winning drive. Like the other chances he had earlier in the game Dixon failed on this one as well by throwing an interception and putting the ravens in field goal range.

Billy Cundiff did not miss his second chance at winning the game and sealed the sudden death win with a short field goal in overtime. Putting an end to Dennis Dixon's and all Oregon ducks fan's chance of glory tonight.

Profile/ Q & A story.

One weekend I woke up and felt like working out so I headed to the Dixon Rec Center on OSU's campus. I got in a good weights session that day and headed upstairs to play basketball. Thats where I met Kyle Kamerrer, an OSU senior and fellow eastern oregonian. I began talking to Kyle that day and realized that he grew up not far from where I did and he actually attended Eastern Oregon University at the same time I did during my freshman year. So I got the idea that he would be perfect for a Q and A story for my journalism class.

So where did you grow up?

KK - I actually grew up in a middle sized eastern oregon town called Pendelton.

Pendelton.. thats where the Pendelton Round-up (a very large week long rodeo/party) is right?

KK - Yeah (laughs), the round-up is at the end of every summer, in the middle of September. It's a pretty big week in Pendelton, the whole town is packed with drunk rodeo fans!

Are you a rodeo fan?

KK - Definately not!

So how long have you lived in Corvallis?

KK - This is my first year in Corvallis, last year I was going to school at U of O.

You were a duck and now you are a beaver? That not legal, right?

KK - (laughs) Yeah I'm sure I could be in some trouble for that, but ahh well I am really enjoying being at OSU right now. This is actually my fourth college I have attended, my freshman year I went to Mount Hood CC, then transfered to EOU, then of course U of O and now OSU.

Which school has been your favorite after attending all four of the colleges?

KK - I really like OSU, but I think EOU was my favorite, because I spent the most time there and really enjoyed the smaller school feeling.

What is your major?

KK - I am an education major, I want to be a high school math teacher. I also really would like to coach high school football.

So your a big football fan? Who's better Tom Brady or Peyton Manning?

KK - Oh I have always said Brady is the best, you just cannot argue with his superbowl rings!

Do you have any championship rings yourself?

KK - No actually I never won any championships in high school sports and only played college football for a little bit at EOU and we were not very good that one year.

So what is your favorite thing about Corvallis?

KK - I think the people here are great, the OSU students are a very fun group. It seems like there is a lot bigger party attitude from everyone here than there was at EOU or U of O.

What is your least favorite thing about Corvallis?

KK- Oh I would say the party scene is my least favorite as well, sometimes it's a little hard to sit down and get your homework done it seems.

When do you plan to graduate?

KK - I will be done with school here next fall term. I am pretty excited to finally be done with school and start making some money.

So you're not planning on getting a masters?

KK - It's not my plan now but you never know, things always change.

So final question here, who are you taking in the Civil War? Ducks or Beavers?

KK - Ducks! No doubt, I dont mind being a beaver and living in Corvallis, but I will never change my loyalty to the Ducks. I am really happy that the Civil War has finally come down as the game to decide who goes to the Rose Bowl though.

Spoken like a true Oregonian.

My neighborhood photos

My neighborhood photos

For this assignment I chose to shoot all of my photos in the morning time so you could see different parts of my neighborhood at the same time of the day.

My neighbor Cole Phinney is seen here standing outside his patio door enjoying his first cigarette of the day. I normally see Cole in this exact spot on my way to class in the mornings.

Two local women Judy Greenwood and Nancy Simmons are seen here beginning their daily commute to work. Every morning they ride their bicycles to work, even in the cold wet months here in Corvallis as do many people throughout the community.

This local landmark is Porter Park located at 20th Street and Hayes Ave. The park features a basketball hoop and softball field along with play equipment for younger children. Porter park is also very popular with pet lovers because it is an off-leash dog park.

Press Release story

Gregory Hamann has been selected as the new Linn Benton Community College President. Hamann will begin his presidency at LBCC on February 1, 2010.

Hamann is replacing Current President Rita Cavin. LBCC began a search for a new president after Cavin decided she would be retiring at the end of 2009.

Gregory Hamann has some past experience working as a community college president, he has been serving as the president of Clatsop Community College since July of 2003. Hamann has also taught middle school and worked in various different positions at Bethel College, Whitworth College, and Northwest College where he served as dean of administration.

LBCC Board of Education Chair Richard Running expressed his approval of Hamann in a press release for LBCC's school website. “The board is pleased that Dr. Hamann has accepted the position and believes he will do an excellent job in leading LBCC to support our students and the workforce training needs of our community,” said Running."

Hamanns credentials include, earning a bachelors degree in psychology and social studies at the University of Minnesota, a master's in counseling psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Gonzaga University.

Classmate story

Lyndsey Aitken has been intrigued by music since her early years growing up in Sweet Home Oregon. As a child Lyndsey was a self proclaimed "band geek" playing the flute for eleven years, as well as the baratone, saxophone, and upright base.

Lynsdey's facination with music began in elementary school when she met her biggest musical inspiration in her life, her band teacher, Ken Collins. She played music with Mr. Collins for many years as he was her band teacher through junior high school.

Lyndsey got her start in musical performance with a "jam band" also known as a garage band when she was much younger.

She has participated in many musical events since she fell in love with music. Her musical accomplishments include playing in multiple jazz combos, playing in live concert bands, attending all state for the flute in high school, and she even auditioned for the Marine Band.

Lyndsey is now attending Linn Benton Community College with hopes of transferring to University of Oregon to recieve her masters degree.

Photo Critique

I found this photo on si.com. I was looking through an album titled crazy college football fans and thought this picture of some oregon ducks fans was one of the best in the album. I like the passion the photographer got from the guy in the front of the photo. I am also disgusted by the number of Oregon "O'' 's there are in this photo it is just gross.

Action Photo

LBCC Basketball players, Kenny Yukich (left) and Andrew Carter fight for a loose ball during an early season practice. LBCC Mens Basketball tips off the season November 27th at the Pierce Thanksgiving Tournament at Lakewood Washington.

My last story

I have not decided what my next story will be. I am thinking of writing a story about an individual who has lost their job or is suffering from the downfall of the economy in another way. I think that this would be a good compelling story because so many people are suffering from this poor economy.

Photo essay idea

For my photo essay I am planning on following an osu student going about his day. The student will be the same student I met when I was doing a Q & A for the Newsreporting class I am enrolled in as well. This is an interesting student I believe because of the fact that OSU is the third Oregon university this student has attended.

Possible Places for Photo opportunities.
- On way through campus to class
- After class work-outs
- Morning meal spot
- Study sessions
- Afternoon and Evening meal spots
- Grocery Shopping
- Daily chores

My experience in JN 216

During Fall Term 2009 at LBCC I took a journalism course taught by Rob Priewe called JN 216 News writing and reporting. JN 216 has taught me several things this term. I believe that after taking this class I have a much better idea of what career I am interested in.

Newsreporting has really changed my idea of what I would like to do for a living. Before taking this course I believed I wanted to be a sports journalist but now I am thinking that is not such a great idea. This class helped me learn that being a journalist isnt just like being a fan. I always thought I could be a sports journalist and just go around watching sports and enjoying the entertainment. Now I realize that it is quite different though, it is a job!

Some of the most important things I learned during this class are things I probably never would have thought about. I assumed that because other people have posted their photos and storys online already that they were now available to the public. However I found out you can use these things in your own story but you need to simply add a link in your story to where you found the other information in order to avoid plagarism. I also learned that just because you say you're a journalist or are doing something for a class, people dont always feel they need to cooperate with you.

I think that this class is a very helpful and useful course. Rob is a great teacher and takes a lot of time to make sure everyone is comfortable with and understanding the subject. The multiple chances to get out in the field and experience the life of a journalist is very useful. Overall I loved the class although it did help me to realize I dont think I am a journalist.

NBA Rookie Breaks Record!

I really like these photos that I found on si.com. Most of the photos are of NBA Rookie Brandon Jennings, during and after a game in which he led his team to a comeback win, while scoring 55 points. I found the pictures after reading a story about Jennings peformance Saturday night.

Volleyball Story from Commuter

lead - I thought the lead was good. The writer included the most important piece of the story, which was LB volleyball winning both matches last weekend.

nut-graf - I thought the nut-graf was ok but I think that the final score of Fridays match, ending 3-1 should have been before the actual scores of each game in the match.

3 things that could improve - The first thing I think could be improved is getting some quotes or insight from the players. The second thing to improve could be giving more information about the situation the team is in regarding the NWAACC Championships. Third I think the story could have used a little more about individual players who are performing well.

quote - "Saturday's game against Umpqua looked to be fairly easy for the roadrunners as they handled their opponents 25-16."

My take - I think the story was ok, but not that great. I think there should have been more information, definately more information about the Situation the team is in regarding the NWAACC Championships. Such as, who they could play and when.

Quiz Photo

As I was walking back to my car from class on Wednesday I happened upon these two LBCC students. Tyler said he thought he might have had a flat on his way to school, but in typical college student fashion he waited until after class to check. In this photo you see Tyler changing his flat out while a friend watches, holding onto the spare tire that is soon to go on.