Portfolio

Social media is on the rise, and, with that, knowing how to utilize social media is becoming increasingly important.

I have always wanted to start blogs, but never knew what to write. I did a poll for my political blog to see what people thought I should write about. The options were narrowed down, and exploring politics came out as the top choice. Doing research was very interesting, but writing about politics proved to be difficult. There were times, even after I had done over an hour of research, that I still wasn't sure what I was writing about. It was difficult to sound well-educated rather than ill-informed in my writing. One aspect I liked blog writing was that I was able to incorporate other blogs or YouTube videos to back up my points or to help me better explain something. I honestly think that was one of my strong points in my blog writing - my ability to create a conversation that wasn't completely one-sided. 

Although I have been a journalism student for three years now, I have never had to incorporate different aspects of media in my stories. Having to incorporate various media sources in my stories made it slightly difficult. Photography was one of my strong suits in my stories. I am still shaky on my video editing skills, but now I know how to make a Youtube video whereas I did not before. I also know how to record and use audio now. For example, in my story about the train that runs in front of the Riverview Suites, I took a recording of the train as it passed by and utilized it in the story.

I would like to utilize more social media aspects in my writing in the future, especially for the Connector. I feel as though I have gained a solid foundation, but I still have much to work on. 

Three best blog posts: 

A Breakdown of the Shutdown 

Constitution Conundrum 

Obamacare? What is that?

Journalism stories: 

Story 1

Story 2

Story 3

Story 4 

The Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church

A soft afternoon light flows through the stained glass windows, casting a golden shadow across the pews and reflecting off of the ornate mosaic-covered walls. Children fidget, playing with dolls and toys their parents brought to keep them entertained during the Divine Liturgy. When they are scolded by their mothers, the children turn to their grandmothers, who welcome them with open arms.

Altar boys dressed in silken robes stand patiently while the priest reads from the Gospel. The priest's voice resonates through the church, joined by the choir. Old and young voices combine with his to create a sweet melody. One of the youngest altar boys grows restless waiting during the seemingly endless service, and begins to sway back and forth.

Families that have attended the church a very long time sit in the same pews every Sunday. The Yiayias lean on their canes, their white-gray hair set in perfect curls. The Papous stand by their side, wearing their best suit and tie. Their weak eyes peer over their gold-rimmed glasses as they read worn Bibles and sing along with the choir in their soft, old voices.

When it ends, everyone gathers in the basement for the coffee hour. A line forms for the special Sunday doughnut and coffee, or orange juice, and chatter fills the room. Cacophony fills the room when the youngest Sunday School children are let out of class. They run to the piano on-stage and pound away at the keys with their fists, laughing as they try to create a melody.

The Church 

The Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church has been home to the Greek Orthodox of the Lowell Acre since 1952. The priests have changed throughout the years, but the families that have attended the church have been the same. Some families have been members of the Transfiguration parish since it first opened its doors. The church not only represented a place of worship, but also an opportunity for Greeks from all different villages to come together under one roof, in a new country. They built the church up together, creating a place they could call home, and their future children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren could also call home.

Sophia Exarhopulos, 15, a parishioner of the church, has been attending the Transfiguration her whole life and her family has been attending the church for over 50 years. She enjoys attending church because it makes her feel connected to her culture, she said.

Other parishioners share a similar sentiment. Cassandra Floor has a very strong connection to the church. "I was baptized as an infant in 1982 at the Transfiguration...my family raised us there, and in 2005, I was married to my husband there," she said. Now she volunteers as a Sunday school teacher and is involved in the philanthropic woman's group at the church, and her husband is also on the parish council, she said.

The church has not only developed structurally over time, but internally as well, said Floor. "From adding the youth director position... 'Family Night ministries,' the addition of 'Mommy and Me' ministry and the addition of the Family and Life Center for the parish, the emphasis has definitely been on what can we offer to the next generation" said Floor.

The Mosaics: 

The mosaics were installed by iconographer Robert J. Andrews, who according to the church's book, "Mosaic Icons: Transfiguration of Our Savior Church,"  is a "master of Byzantine art and mosaic iconography." Altogether, the project cost around $500,000 to complete. Every square inch of the inside of the church is covered with the ornate decorations. Each mosaic is representative of a different icon. Some of the icons represent saints or Jesus, others are depictions of scenes from the Bible.

A parishioner's take on the mosaics: "My favorite feature of the church would have to be the mosaics. As a child, I would be mesmerized staring at the walls and ceiling and now I still do but instead, it's with my children. The icons tell the stories of Christ's life and His Saints so well. It's hard not to feel humble standing in the church as the Saints all look down from above! " - Cassandra Floor 

(All photos taken by Madeline Koufogazos).