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Stephen and Jordan say “Thanks, Red Deer!”

Mar 1, 2019 | 3:10 PM

During the month of February, rdnewsNOW had the pleasure of having SAIT students Stephen Moore and Jorday Bay with us for four-week practicum assignments. 

They were great to have around and did some outstanding work for us.

Here’s what each of them have to say about their time in Red Deer…

TG

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My name is Stephen Moore and I’ve been on a practicum here in Red Deer for a month. I’ve done work for rdnewsNOW and 106.7 The Drive, and it’s been an absolute blast! I’m from Calgary and currently attend school at SAIT for radio broadcasting.

The drive from Calgary to Red Deer is a relatively short one, so the move for one month wasn’t too bad. I was away from home but still close enough for it to not bother me that much. I settled in really well to living here in Red Deer. It took a while to get used to new roads and new places but the city really started to grow on me.

Going into my practicum, I had an idea of what to expect but I wasn’t really sure how it would go. I was excited and nervous all at the same time. I think nerves are a good thing, though. The first day, Troy took Jordan and I out to eat, and after that I knew this month was going to be good.

My two main goals heading here were to do coverage on the Canada Winter Games and be on air for a radio station. I accomplished both of those goals and a whole lot more!

I experienced so many sports during the Games and even went to the opening ceremony, which was really well done. The amount I learned from being on air behind the mic for 106.7 The Drive was incredible. I need to give a huge thanks to the Program Directors Peter Michaels and Jamie Rankin for setting that up and giving me wonderful advice throughout the month.

One thing that became clear during my time in Red Deer is that everyone is super nice and willing to help out. Everyone at work welcomed us with open arms and helped with anything we needed. I gradually became more and more comfortable with what I needed to do and I felt like I was making real progress. I formed great relationships with people, learned as much as I could and had a lot of fun along the way.

This month was also full of firsts. It was the first time I’ve experienced living on my own, the first time I experienced a sporting event the size of the Canada Games, and the first time I did my own laundry (thanks, mom).

I loved my time here and it’s pretty bittersweet that it’s come to an end. I’m really grateful, though. It’s made me realize that this is definitely the kind of career I want to pursue and has opened my eyes to a ton of possibilities. I’m excited to see what the next part of this journey brings.

Stephen Moore

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Wow…where to start.

Steve and I came to Red Deer on February 1st to catch the Rebels-Hitmen Game at the Centrium, and to get settled extra early ahead of our first day in a real newsroom. I was a little scared to come to Red Deer, I didn’t know anyone and it was in the middle of an extreme cold warning that seemed to never leave.

If I had told you I was just a bit nervous for my first day of practicum to start, I’d have been lying. To say I was shaking because I was so scared would be a more accurate description.

The first couple of days were slow, learning my way around the office, getting chirped for having a Flames toque, getting high fives for having a Flames toque, it was a confusing time.

I was able to go with Sheldon Spackman a lot over the four weeks and we went to all sorts of events all across the city, and I honestly don’t have enough nice things to say. He helped me a ton, but also let me figure things out to an extent.

Then everything was ratcheted up to ‘10’ when the Canada Winter Games got underway. It has been so much fun going to, say, ringette at lunch, then catching a hockey game after hours.

I’ve had the chance to do pretty much everything from write, to report, to work the camera, it’s been amazing. I want to say thank you to everyone at rdnewsNOW, Big 105, and 106.7 The Drive for being so kind, and so accommodating. I was blown away with the constant support and feedback we received and it has helped me improve as a reporter.

I also want to thank the community of Red Deer for being so open. Everywhere I go, whether it be a Dairy Queen, Rebels game, even events at the Canada Games, everyone has been so friendly and it’s so easy to strike up a conversation with pretty much everyone I’ve met.

In closing, I thought this month was going to feel like an eternity but it all went by in a snap, and while I’m excited to head home I’m sad I have to leave the city of Red Deer.

Thank you, Red Deer. Hopefully we meet again!

Jordan Bay