WELCOME TO MY PORTFOLIO
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About Me
​Hello! My name is Kaia James. Welcome to my new and improved portfolio. This site functions to showcase my work, and my pursuit of journalism. As of December, I am going to be completing my ADT in Journalism, at Fresno City College. I serve as the news editor, at Fresno City College (the Rampage).
Read my cover letter.
Kaia James 4585 E Fairmont Ave. Fresno, Calif. kjames@therampageonline.com 559-708-3646 November 20, 2024 To Whom It May Concern: As the news editor of The Rampage, my junior college’s newspaper, I have developed a broad set of skills essential to a career in journalism and media, including ethical reporting, team leadership, and effective communication. I want to share my passion for reporting on marginalized groups and education-based reporting. In the next phase of my career, I ideally would like to branch out and write more lifestyle/pop culture pieces. Or report on policy-making. In my current role, I have successfully transitioned from reporting to mentoring new journalists, guiding them in producing quality work while fostering a fun/collaborative environment. I pride myself on clear communication and am confident advocating for my ideas. I also prioritize accountability and professionalism. Whether managing my lab hours, coordinating publication schedules, or working with reporters. I have demonstrated my commitment to teamwork and the success of our publication. I am eager to apply these skills in future roles and to continue growing as a journalist. Thank you for considering my experience and supporting my aspirations. Sincerely, Kaia James
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Duel Enrollment Creates Success...
Dual Enrollment Student Story- This article began with reporting on the rise in enrollment at Fresno City College. To prepare, I first met with the Vice President of Education, Lisa Gaetije, to discuss her insights on the factors driving this increase. In a thoughtful interview, she highlighted the college’s efforts to provide early exposure to college for younger students, particularly high schoolers. Intrigued by this, I decided to explore what it’s like to be a dual-enrolled student while still in high school. To delve deeper, I reached out via the general inquiry email for information about dual enrollment. This connected me with Kelsey Belmontez, a full-time counselor and coordinator for Design Science High School students and an FCC employee. Ms. Belmontez became my primary source and was a huge help for understanding DSMCHS' mission. She is incredibly passionate about the Design Science students and their success inside and outside of the classroom. Through Belmontez, I was introduced to a remarkable student who shared their experiences. They credited much of their success to the opportunity to challenge themselves by balancing high school and college classes. Their hard work also led to a scholarship, a testament to their dedication. To complement the story, I took my own photographs, rounding out a deeply engaging and insightful piece.
Judging a Book by it's Cover Ribbon cutting ceremony
"A new Brick and Mortar for Bibliophiles"- I covered the grand opening of a new independent bookstore in downtown Fresno. The event was a lively experience that began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, during which the store’s founders shared their journey and vision for establishing a storefront in the area. I interviewed Ashley, the face of the company, asking about her inspiration for opening the bookstore and her choice to do so in such a developing neighborhood. Additionally, I spoke with patrons of various ages, inquiring about their reading interests and their thoughts on having a new indie bookstore in the community. Although I did not arrange interviews or contacts in advance, opting instead for an impromptu approach, the experience felt organic and engaging. I captured some diverse photographs of the event and collaborated with Michael Lin to decide whether to use a composite image or a single photograph for our publication. A key focus in my interviews was respecting each person’s time, learning about their backgrounds, and ensuring I correctly recorded their pronouns. It was super loud in the storefront, so I was very cognizant of needing to get a good interview. An essential element of my coverage was highlighting the bookstore's identity as a female- and Latino-owned business. This aspect resonated with many supporters and reflects the diversity and entrepreneurial spirit that exists in Fresno’s downtown area.
This was my first experience writing a news brief, and I had no prior knowledge of how to summarize a bill or enacted law. To prepare, I conducted extensive research and received a direct PDF of the bill from my colleague Matthew Echavez. I spent a significant amount of time breaking it down to ensure I fully understood its details. I also collaborated with Christianna, who provided valuable recommendations on how to present the information clearly and effectively for readers. The news brief was necessary, for our print edition, as the editorial team heavily focused on featuring the unhoused. I really enjoyed writing about something so relevant for Fresno. Read my news brief on Ordinance No. 2024-025 below!
My assistance with Ashleigh's Dental Hygiene Article.
I wanted to highlight my contributions for this article that was written by Ashleigh C. I did a lot of the major editing/reconstructing, and making it updated to reflect present changes. I felt strongly about this article being in print as it reflects an exciting achievement/milestone for the college. Ashleigh and I communicated heavily in order to get this done in time for it be published in the print edition. I also reached out to Joanne Pacheco in order to obtain a photo of the first graduating class for this new bachelors program.
My assistance with Carolyn's food pantry article.
I wanted to highlight my contributions or experience aiding senior reporter, Carolyn Bailey with her article "Need Help with Groceries this Month?" I drove to the location to accompany her, to interview the director of the pantry. We essentially kind of did the interview together, and I asked some questions as well in regards to the population, they served. I also took many photos just in case. Prior to that, I also drafted sample questions that allowed her to get a sense of what I was expecting for the article or what I thought the reader may find insightful. I felt I did a good job at offering editorial guidance for this assignment.
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