For our third issue of the 2020-21 school year, I pitched the idea of writing about the new phenomenon of renting out movie theaters for private showings during COVID-19. My family had done it a few weeks prior, and I figured I could find others who taken advantage of this popular new offering. After a few interviews with teachers and students, I struggled to find an overarching story. My sources generally agreed that it was a pleasant experience, but didn’t have much else to say. Because of this, I decided to switch gears and write it as a review of my own experience renting out a movie theatre instead. This was the first review I’d ever written, which came with a learning curve in the writing process. But ultimately, this review taught me about the value of incorporating an interesting narrative while still giving your reader the advice and takeaway they came for.
Recognitions: Tops in Texas – entertainment review, ILPC (2021); First place – entertainment/feature column, SIPA Best Writing Competition (2022); Superior – print entertainment review, TAJE (2022)
