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Dark Star Orchestra set to perform Nov. 23 at Penn’s Peak

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MMI students compete in FBLA National Leadership Conference

<p>Doubt. Fear. Insecurity.</p><p>When I started my internship with the Times Leader two months ago, those were the feelings that flooded through me, quieting any confidence and excitement I might have to begin my journey as a real reporter in a real newsroom.</p><p>Don&#8217;t get me wrong; my three years at Wilkes University had prepared me well. My adviser, professor and friend, Kalen Churcher, has been instrumental in everything I do. She&#8217;s the one who encouraged me to apply for this internship. Still, going from writing in classes and for The Beacon, the Wilkes campus newspaper, to a real newspaper was something I would inevitably be anxious about, regardless of how many courses I took or words of affirmation I received.</p><p>On my last days walking the familiar route to work this week, my emotions have changed tenfold. I will walk out of this office for the last time with a tremendous amount of experience, mentors and, above all, confidence this job has provided me.</p><p>I never could have imagined this experience would be as incredible as it has been. I knew, of course, it would be a strong resume builder, that it would teach me things I could never learn in a classroom and that I would have the chance to make a strong impression on potential future employers. But I never, ever could have predicted the impression &#8211; the impact &#8211; the people here would make on me.</p><p>Each person has taught me something different, something new. For each, I am grateful, and to each, I am indebted.</p><p>Travis Kellar taught me everything I know about cops reporting, and how to keep the newsroom fun. Joe Dolinsky set the bar high for what I aspired my court reporting to be. Melanie Mizenko showed me a positive attitude and bright smile go a long way. Aimee Dilger taught me this is more than just a job; it&#8217;s a way to make a difference. Dotty Martin and Tim Farkas taught me the ones at the head of the table aren&#8217;t to be feared, but rather can teach you, encourage you and help you grow.</p><p>But there are two people who have made the greatest impact, two who have taught me the most &#8212; my editor and mentor, Thomas Moriarty, and my new friend, Bill O&#8217;Boyle.</p><p>As far as editors go, a young, aspiring journalist couldn&#8217;t luck out with a better one than I did. On my first day, Thomas asked me what I was interested in writing about and the goals I had for my time here. Every day since, he has helped make those aspirations come true.</p><p>He has entrusted me with more responsibilities and opportunities than I ever thought possible. I thought, as an intern, I would be doing the stories no one wanted to cover, or maybe even getting coffee. I couldn&#8217;t have been more wrong.</p><p>Thomas allowed me the opportunity to cover stories ranging from court cases, drug busts, homicides, feature stories and more. Never did I go to him with an idea and be turned down. He taught me countless lessons about tight writing, painting a picture with my words and so much more. Most of all, he always encouraged me and believed in me. The confidence he had in me from day one gave me confidence in myself, and allowed me to bravely tackle any story that came my way.</p><p>And then there&#8217;s Bill. I could write an entire story about my time sitting across from him, listening to his stories, our lunches at Abe&#8217;s Deli and all he has taught me, but I&#8217;ll keep it brief.</p><p>Bill taught me the importance of a story&#8217;s emotional edge, the needed skills of patience and persistence in getting those tough questions answered and that this is more than just a job. If you dig a little deeper, you can get the real story &#8211; the one that will touch people.</p><p>I can only hope to one day have the respect and trust Bill has earned from so many.</p><p>I wish I could put into words how much these two months have meant to me. I almost didn&#8217;t have the guts to apply, but I&#8217;m so thankful I did as it led me to one of the greatest experiences of my life.</p><p>After working in the &#8220;real world&#8221; and writing a plethora of different stories about vastly different people, I know what I have always suspected: Journalism isn&#8217;t just a job. It&#8217;s about the people you meet, the stories you tell and the difference you can make.</p><p>Each of the people I&#8217;ve had the pleasure of working with at the Times Leader has made a difference with their writing and a difference in me. I can only hope as I continue to learn and evolve as a reporter, I can one day do the same.</p><p>I&#8217;ll miss you, Times Leader friends. I hope to see you again soon.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Beyond the Byline Alyssa Mursch </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_alyssa1-3.jpg</photo0><caption0>Beyond the Byline Alyssa Mursch </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Mursch_Alyssa-cmyk.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Beyond the Byline Alyssa Mursch </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Mursch_Alyssa-cmyk.jpg</photo1><caption1>Beyond the Byline Alyssa Mursch </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Alyssa Mursch</p><p>amursch@civitias.media</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Alyssa Mursch spent her summer as an intern in the Times Leader newsroom. Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Beyond the Byline: An internship that meant so much more