Feature Writing
This is my work from my ENG- 371-01 class, filled with journalistic work. These stories consisted of interviews, research, and observation skills. They highlight my pursuit of finding a good story and my determination to provide newsworthy information.
Find Your Kraving at Kaffeology
A tiny café, located on the best-known street in Newport. A place you would not notice right away, but a hidden gem on this busy street. As you walk up to the café you are instantly greeted by golden-painted doors and the aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that fill up the small intimate café. The whistling of the hot freshly brewed coffee is heard as soon as you reach the marble countertops at the register and the satisfying smell of caffeine hits you like a breeze. Its warm charisma quickly becomes a comfort place, somewhere that you can lean on when you don’t know where you want to go or what you want to do. Several clipboards hang high on the wall showcasing their breakfast and lunch menus. Leily, one of the many young baristas in the back, greets you with an affectionate smile as you walk in, one that sticks with you.
The Rise of De-Influencing
Although in an era dominated by social media influencers, scrolling on TikTok where countless videos of users push products through your screen, Alyssa Lumpee does the complete opposite. In a duet video of an influencer promoting a viral $3 leather tote bag from TikTok Shop and revealing she had bought more than one, right by her side is Lumpee, social media manager for LiveKindly, dismissing the product. LiveKindly stands as one of the largest plant-based lifestyle platform and TikTok is just one of the many places they spread their message. “You don’t need this viral bag from TikTok Shop”, states Lumpee. She points out the possibility of it being unethically produced since it is only $3 which may result in it only lasting a few weeks before it inevitably falls apart.
Salve Regina’s Voice
Posting a posed picture with a coffee mug in hand, scrolling aimlessly on an Instagram feed filled with young influencers posing with the peace sign, and commenting with emojis. The field of social media, now more popular than ever, has gotten a bad reputation. For those working in social media, their work is often ignorantly compared to the work of an Instagram influencer. Being in control of social media is as hard as trying to communicate with a room full of babbling children. Trying to grab the attention and communicate with a variety of individuals takes strategic thinking. Katie Barrett, Salve Regina’s newest social media manager, clears up what the social media field entails. Barrett has been in the social media marketing field for almost a decade now and has moved with the evolving social platforms. Having started for a local Newport newspaper, the Newport Mercury to a social media coordinator for Embrace Home Loans, Barrett has a great amount of experience.
A Colonial Taste of Mexico
You are greeted at the door with a huge spiderweb on the front door, Jack-O-Lanterns covering each room, and orange string lights plastered across the yellow walls. Decorated as though you have walked into your welcoming grandmother’s living room, it is filled with festive Halloween decor this October. In the center of one room, there sits an immense fireplace adorned with burgundy flower tiles. It doesn’t feel out of place to enjoy your chips and guacamole, instead, the feeling of comfort rushes over you. Hidden in Washington Square a block from Thames Street, is Perro Salado, the Mexican- style restaurant concealed in Decatur House, an 18th-century colonial Newport home. Looking into the rustic windows of what was once home to Captain Stephen Decatur you find a lively dining room packed with the noise of chatter. Owners Andi Johnson and brothers Dan and Russell Hall have opened the doors to many for over a decade on Charles Street. Combining the colonial atmosphere of Newport with fresh new Mexican cuisine, they are one of a kind.
