Hofstra University Cheerleader Sierra Hill had to stop talking three times in order to cheer for her school on MSNBC during the coverage of the first presidential debate of the 2016 campaign. Hill spent the day “going to the different TV stations and doing different performances and interviewing.”

Although she didn’t exactly know who to cheer for during the election itself, she was ecstatic about the opportunity Hofstra was granted by hosting the debate. She said, “It’s actually been incredible…it’s probably the most excited that I’ve seen everyone here.”

Written by: Adam Turner

Photo by: Mark Kuhnke

 

Michael Arens, an IT Business Analyst, who is politically conservative and socially liberal, follows the presidential campaign loosely. “I’m not really a big fan of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. Hillary does have more political background than Trump, so that’s a plus for her.” After trying to get more of an answer out of who Arens likes he finally said, “This election is a tough one. I still think I’m probably going to write in my Dad’s name on the ballot. I trust him.” Arens’s final thoughts on this campaign are, “I just don’t know. I can’t honestly pick one to run the country. The outcomes don’t seem good either way.” Written by Sierra Poston Photographer: Ben Gibbs.

David Schnittger, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, works at Squire Patton Boggs LLP in Washington, D.C. When asked if he was following the presidential campaigns, he responded with an eager, “Yep!” According to Schnittger, he would normally be leaning towards the Republican candidate. But, he stated, “That’s a little more difficult this year with Trump as the head man for the Republicans.” Schnittger does not like Hillary Clinton either. He said he has big concerns for her and that she is not someone he would in a traditional election ever consider voting for. In addition, Schnittger said, “I’m not really enthusiastic about voting for her or the current Republican nominee at this point.” He wasn't done discussing Trump. “I just think that the wall he is proposing is sort of indicative of the larger problem. He talks about a lot of things that aren’t realistic. Governing is not about saying things that get peoples hopes up, but you can’t deliver on. It’s about being honest.” Schnittger’s final thoughts on the presidential campaign were, “Wow, these are the options.” Written by Sierra Poston Photographer: Ben Gibbs.

The brainchild of Professor Mike Mergen, this collaborative project teams Longwood University student photographers and reporters together during the Fall 2016 semester in order to get hands-on experience in intense, live political event coverage.

Students in Professor Mergen’s directed study will work together with students in Professor Jeff Halliday’s advanced media writing course to use safe, professional standards of practice while creatively capturing event-related activity with a focus on the 2016 vice-presidential debate being hosted by Longwood University on October 4, 2016.

Our goal for each collaborative assignment is to present multiple perspectives and angles while our students learn about live event coverage, media interaction with the public, and digital storytelling.

The capstone project will be a public showcasing of the students’ work with a front window display at the Longwood Center for Visual Arts. Installation is tentatively set to begin on Monday, November 14, less than a week after Election Day.

Please visit this blog for updates of our student work throughout the semester.

Sincerely,

Professors Mergen & Halliday