All of the stories below were published on the Western Carolina Journalist, WCU’s student-run online newspaper.
I interviewed one of my professors about her experience working on NASA’s JETT3 moonwalking test, an important step in their Artemis program. It turned out to be a complicated topic, and I had to try my best to communicate it to a general audience. I learned about NASA’s testing procedures and the history of manned Moon landings. I’ve loved Astronomy since I was a kid, so I enjoyed writing this article. Also published in the Western Carolinian, WCU’s print newspaper.
Near the end of 2022, I visited the Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine and was struck by the struggles of the locals under Israel’s government. I wrote this article to share what I witnessed with other students. It covers the history of the conflict in Israel, my first-hand account of the camp, and how the journey impacted other students who made the trip with me. I believe journalists have a responsibility to report injustice in the world around them.
As editor of the Nomad, WCU’s Spring Literary Festival is an important part of my year. The event is a great chance for students to hear from authors and become creatively inspired. In 2023, I was tasked with covering the festival from the angle of how it impacted students and the local community. I created this article and an accompanying video where I interviewed students and local author Ron Rash.
More Stories
- Webster board begins short-term rental conversation: a feature on a local political issue discussed by the Webster Town Council. Also published in the Sylva Herald.
- Turning Point’s “freedom” means fear for some WCU students: another journalism student and I worked together to cover a controversial student organization. Features a video story.
- American Museum of the House Cat reopens on April 2: Another collaborative story on a local museum and one of its newest acquisitions. Features a video story.
- Meet the Japanese native sharing her culture with WCU: A feature story on a Japanese native who organized Japanese cultural events on-campus for American students.
- Sun rises on first climate change action meeting: I covered the first meeting of an emerging student group, putting the article up within 24 hours of the event.
- Cullowhee church plans smorgasbord of scare for Halloween: A preview story on my on-campus church’s yearly haunted house fundraiser.
Stephen M. Pierce 