I wrote a four-page spread for the fall edition of the publication’s magazine to serve as its focal point. I explored four different social issues seen in sports today and provided input from those who the issues directly affect. I discussed how these issues not only affect the sports world but what they say about the world as a whole.

A Week In My Life of Reporting Statewide

I love being able to be a part of a variety of different things, but it takes great time management and organization. It is especially important in the fall. I have to find a way to balance my softball workouts and tournaments, rigorous classwork along with running and writing for my school’s newspaper. In addition, I find ways to make time for additional extracurriculars and personal life while also covering as many Texas high school football games as I can a week to gain experience. Thanks to the planner I take with me everywhere, my assortment of colored pens and my love for the things I am involved in, I manage everything I am a part of. More importantly, I do so while giving everything all I have.

Below is a look at what a typical week would look like for me covering three games a week, which I did for a majority of the football season.

9:00 a.m.- Wake up.

10:00 a.m.- Leave my house for practice with my travel softball team. On the two-and-a-half-hour drive, I research games and then text the VYPEU coordinator my projected coverage schedule for the week so he can submit media credentials. If I have time following that, I will edit pictures from the previous week’s games to post to Instagram, do homework or start game preparation for the week.

12:30 p.m.-Arrive in Round Rock for practice.

1-4 p.m.-Practice.

4:15-6:45 p.m.-Head home to Cypress from practice. I try to decompress on the drive home to give myself a mental break.

7:00 p.m.- Eat dinner.

7:30 p.m.-Shower.

8:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m.-Enjoy time with family.

10:00 p.m.-Go to bed.

5:30 a.m.-Wake up.

6:30 a.m.-Leave for school.

7:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m.-Attend my economics, digital media, forensic science and English classes. On Wednesdays, I go to a Student-Athlete Leadership Team Meeting at 9:00 a.m. during my school’s advisory time.

11:20-11:45 a.m.-Attend first half of my newspaper period. I set up the staff’s daily checklist, make announcements and start on the tasks laid out for the day.

11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m-Lunch. I stay in the journalism room and try to work on my game preparation for the week during this time. My game preparation consists of checking out both teams’ stats and rosters on MaxPreps, watching film on key players for both teams, finding players for both teams on social media for more information and ultimately figuring out what the game will come down to. On Mondays, I usually post what games I am covering on Twitter to inform different fanbases.

12:15-12:40 p.m.-Attend second half of my newspaper period. I continue to work on the tasks laid out for the day and help our staffers.

12:45-1:40 p.m.-Attend statistics class.

1:45-2:40 p.m.-Work out with the school’s softball team.

2:45 p.m.-Leave school.

3:15 p.m.-Eat dinner.

4:00 -5:30 p.m.-Finish homework then work on game preparation.

6:00-7:30 p.m.-Individual softball training.

8:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m.-Work on game preparation, then put in time to stories or projects I am working on at the time. I try to finish one game preparation a day in order to be done with all of it for the week by the time my first game day rolls around. I also pace myself, so I designate time for my other work.

10:45 p.m.-On Wednesdays, I pack my media equipment and plug in all the electronics I need for Thursday’s game.

11:15 p.m.-Go to bed.

9:00 a.m.-Wake up.

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.-Free time to run errands or take care of personal things.

12:30-2:00 p.m.-Individual softball training.

2:30 p.m.-Eat a snack and take a power nap.

3:30-4:15 p.m.-Do my hair and makeup and get changed into nice clothes to report in.

4:20 p.m.-Leave for the stadium.

5:15 p.m.-Arrive at the stadium, pick up media credentials and head down to the sidelines.

5:30 p.m.-Film pregame standup and post it to Twitter.

6:00 p.m.-Take pictures of both teams, crowd and more during warm-ups. If I see anything special going on, I’ll video it or snap a picture of it on my phone and post it to Twitter.

GAMETIME (7:00 p.m. kickoff)-Game starts. I add a monopod and RODE mic to the camera and film game updates to be posted to Twitter. I also take notes on my phone throughout the first half to talk about in my halftime standup.

HALFTIME-Film halftime standup and snap extra photos if I have time.

SECOND HALF TO END OF GAME-Film game updates to be posted to Twitter and think of who to interview and what questions to ask. After the scoreboard has no time left on the clock, I go grab a player or coach and film a postgame interview to be posted to Twitter.

10:00 p.m.-Leave stadium and find a place to eat for dinner.

11:15 p.m.-Arrive home and eat dinner.

11:30 p.m.- I lay out my uniform and equipment for Sunday’s softball practice.

~11:45 p.m.-Go to bed.