tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26063960806157741982024-03-21T12:34:25.728-07:00Andrew Scott's Writing SamplesAndrew Scott PRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11762318151540776397noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606396080615774198.post-56318552197499674262010-03-06T01:08:00.000-08:002011-05-02T18:00:53.550-07:00This main section of writing samples reflects upon published works during my college career. You can view additional works from my professional career in the <a href="http://spjcommunicationscoordinator.blogspot.com/p/writing-samples.html">Communications Coordinator</a> portion of my portfolio.<br /><br />During my college tenure, I worked in many different writing positions. I was the editor-in-chief of my community college student newspaper and a staff reporter for my hometown newspaper, <em>THE DAILY LEADER</em>. Once I transferred to the University of Mississippi, I continued to do freelance work for <em>THE OXFORD EAGLE</em> and <em>The Daily Mississippian</em>. I wrote press releases as part of my public relations internship with the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation. During the Spring semester of 2010, I took part in a journalism school weekend internship with <em>The Vicksburg Post</em>.<br /><br />Below are some writing samples of the news and feature stories I have written.<br /><br /><a href="http://andrewscottwritings.blogspot.com/2009/12/chamber-debuts-annual-oxford-print-10th.html"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">Chamber Debuts Annual Oxford print – 10th in Artists’ Series</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></strong><br /><a href="http://andrewscottwritings.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-hope-rise-of-millennials.html"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">A New Hope: Rise of the Millennials</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></strong><br /><a href="http://andrewscottwritings.blogspot.com/2009/12/local-dealerships-cope-with-soft.html"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">Local dealerships cope with soft economy</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"> </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></strong><br /><a href="http://andrewscottwritings.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-55-south-closed-to-traffic-for.html"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">I-55 south closed to traffic for evacuees fleeing Louisiana</span></strong></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;"></span></strong><br /><a href="http://andrewscottwritings.blogspot.com/2009/12/over-course-of-my-college-career-i-have.html"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">Local Transit a ‘driving’ concern</span></strong></a>Andrew Scott PRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11762318151540776397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606396080615774198.post-81758436456194006092009-12-24T18:21:00.000-08:002010-03-06T01:22:06.512-08:00Local Transit a ‘driving’ concernLocal transportation is a “driving” concern for some tourists visiting Vicksburg. For a city with almost 25,000 residents, public transportation is limited.<br /><br />Francis Simmons, who has been a travel counselor at the Mississippi Welcome Center for 17 years, talks to tourists every day. She said she’s routinely asked about easy ways to get around town.<br /><br />“We get asked several times for bus tours,” Simmons said. “We have a small transit system, but we do not have transportation to take people around.”<br /><br />The city’s public transit system, NRoute, is working on getting two trolleys on the road to carry passengers in the downtown area.<br /><br />According to head of the Vicksburg Heritage League, Shirley Waring, the new trolleys will go a long way to helping solve the city’s transportation problems.<br /><br />“It is a very visual thing as well as being helpful in getting people from point A to point B,” Waring said.<br /><br />The two trolleys will be paid for with federal stimulus money, along with two 25-passenger buses, one 40-passenger bus and $50,000 worth of shop materials, said NRoute Executive Director Evelyn Bumpers. If there’s demand, the trolleys could be used for scheduled city tours.<br /><br />In normal operation, NRoute buses follow map routes Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m and do serve the downtown historic area. But they are not designed for narrated tours.<br />At least two companies have offered tours by horsedrawn carriage in recent years. Their challenges were infrequent use and the city’s hilly terrain.<br /><br />Other factors have also contributed to the city’s transit situation.<br /><br />Last July, Vicksburg’s only non-public travel service, J&B Cab Company, closed its doors citing the city’s insurance requirements and the increased use of NRoute. For the first time in more than 75 years, the city is without taxi service.<br /><br />Waring says the city should also consider making it easier for people to get around on foot.<br />“We need to improve the way tourist can get around town as a pedestrian; where to park, where to walk, where you can sit down,” Waring said.<br /><br />Where bus tours were once a staple of the tourism industry, they have fallen prey to higher expenses and a change in consumer preferences.<br /><br />Guided tours of the Vicksburg National Military Park are available through the Vicksburg Licensed Tour Guide Association, a group that tests and certifies applicants. The park also offers myriad other assistance, including guidebooks, DVDs with narration and devices keyed to the Global Positioning System to give visitors location-specific information.<br /><br />Published: February 2010<br /><em>The Vicksburg Post</em><br /><a href="http://www.vicksburgpost.com/">www.vicksburgpost.com/</a>Andrew Scott PRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11762318151540776397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606396080615774198.post-11385632464103322292009-12-22T23:48:00.000-08:002009-12-23T01:00:58.255-08:00I-55 south closed to traffic for evacuees fleeing LouisianaBrookhaven - Early Saturday morning Gov. Haley Barbour issued a contraflow to take place on Interstate 55, closing off all south bound lanes, to help Louisiana residents evacuate from Hurricane Katirna.<br /><br />The contraflow took effect at 4 p.m. Saturday and will last until 4 p.m. today. All lanes will travel northbound up to mile marker 31, which is south of Highway 84 in Brookhaven. It will merge back to two lanes just north of Bogue Chitto. Interstate 59 is also part of the contraflow.<br /><br />American Red Cross officials began to open shelters Saturday in Mississippi that are north of Interstate 20. As shelters open, they will be posted on MEMA's Web site at <a href="http://www.msema.org/">www.msema.org</a>. Travelers through Brookhaven can access the Internet at the Brookhaven Public Library on South Jackson Street.<br /><br />The National American Red Cross is encouraging travelers to develop a communications plan with relatives prior to their departure should they need to be located during or after the hurricane.<br /><br />"Typically the phone lines became jammed afterwards with people calling to get in touch with relatives," said Renita Hosler, a spokesperson for the national American Red Cross.<br /><br />In preparing for the hurricane, Entergy is implementing its emergency restoration plan, which will build a workforce of 1,500 restoration line workers in Mississippi. Entergy cancelled all employee vacations to ensure resources are available.<br /><br />"We have been tracking Katrina for several days," said Kenney Goza, customer account and service manager in Brookhaven. "Our customers can be assured that we are doing all we can to ensure we are prepared for this storm."<br /><br />Published: August 28, 2005<br />THE DAILY LEADER<br /><a href="http://www.dailyleader.com/">www.dailyleader.com</a>Andrew Scott PRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11762318151540776397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606396080615774198.post-17905851002744221172009-12-22T01:07:00.000-08:002009-12-22T01:11:20.924-08:00Chamber Debuts Annual Oxford print – 10th in Artists’ SeriesOxford, MS – Are you looking for a unique Oxford print? Maybe something that captures the essence of Oxford in a seemingly simplistic but ultimately surreal and dynamic fashion as though experiencing the city for the first time. Well, the Chamber may have just what you are looking for.<br /><br />The Oxford – Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce is featuring another in a series of prints that showcase talents of artists in the area. This year’s print, entitled "Afternoon on the Square," by famed Oxford artist Glennray Tutor.<br /><br />This beautiful photorealistic art piece sends you on a stroll back through time as it peers toward the center of the historic Oxford Square from the west as if strolling down Van Buren on a late afternoon walk. The art features shops and stores that have come and gone, plus some that have stood strong through the years, sparking memories for many Oxonians and Ole Miss Alumni alike.<br /><br />Tutor, known for his photorealistic paintings, is part of the photorealism art movement. His paintings are immersed with intense color, nostalgic items, metaphor, and a complete focus on detail.<br /><br />His works have been shown at The Mendenhall Gallery in California, The Cole Pratt Gallery in New Orleans, The Hahn Ross Gallery in Santa Fe, The Alice Bingham Gallery in Memphis, The Frist Center of Visual Arts in Nashville, The Mississippi Museum of Art, The Schmidt-Bingham Gallery in New York, Helander Gallery in New York, The World's Fair in New Orleans, as well as many other well respected art galleries.<br /><br />Influenced by painters Ralph Goings and Charles Bell, Tutor is a graduate of the University of Mississippi where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and English in 1974 and his Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting in 1976. During the years of 1999 and 2000, his artwork was featured in a show known as "Outward Bound: American Art on the Brink of the Twenty-first Century: An Exhibition of American Contemporary Art" which was sponsored by the Mobil Corp. The traveling gallery show started in Washington, D.C. and continued to tour South Eastern Asia.<br /><br />The limited edition signed and numbered print can be purchased for $25 at the Chamber of Commerce office, located at 299 Jackson Avenue West. Only 250 prints will be sold.<br /><br />Tutor’s artwork is also featured on the cover of the 2009-2010 Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation Community Guide and Membership Directory. He won first place in the tenth Annual Art Contest held by the Chamber of Commerce in the spring.<br /><br />For more information about the print or the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, call 662.234.4651.<br /><br />Published: October 23, 2009<br />THE OXFORD EAGLE<br /><a href="http://www.oxfordeagle.com/">http://www.oxfordeagle.com/</a>Andrew Scott PRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11762318151540776397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606396080615774198.post-41366915069179098082009-12-21T01:19:00.000-08:002012-01-30T08:06:44.041-08:00A New Hope: Rise of the Millennials<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPXWJlQ8LSZdvzaGwUI8tQdsjOT5TCxyz7kn77e0fJsq4HdzRtp6ztX8d7_Oaoz98bk0EGSlJ5gdI3i_ErA_MvEIVpKnIsQjHxNnXeMaA3ZRFbRuQWlPuEOrgd7ZAgFQaOGQUb9tqHOc/s1600-h/100_1746.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425239212471669442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPXWJlQ8LSZdvzaGwUI8tQdsjOT5TCxyz7kn77e0fJsq4HdzRtp6ztX8d7_Oaoz98bk0EGSlJ5gdI3i_ErA_MvEIVpKnIsQjHxNnXeMaA3ZRFbRuQWlPuEOrgd7ZAgFQaOGQUb9tqHOc/s200/100_1746.JPG" /></a>With an 18 hours-a-week class schedule and the sometimes 20 hours-a-day work schedule of a residence assistant in Kincannon dormitory, it is understandable that James Buchanan stays busy. But he is also a student in the Croft Institute, as well as a member of the Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Amnesty International, and the College Democrats at Ole Miss. After that, the rest of his day is ruled by a computer; checking emails, doing blackboard homework, researching projects and reports using the Internet, and of course, the constant need to check his Facebook more than four times a day.<br /><br />Two weeks ago he was accepted for an internship with U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.. Someday, he hopes he can make a difference in the world of politics and a failing economy.<br /><br />Though his story is very unique, James is not alone. A lot of his characteristics are similar to other students his age. That defines him as part of a rising generation now known as “the Millennials.”<br /><br />Also known as the Net Generation, Generation Y, Echo Boomers, and iGeneration, the Millennials consist primarily of the offspring of the Generation Jones and Baby Boomers. The Millennial timeline of birth ranges between the years 1982 to 2000. Their numbers far outrange that of their Baby Boomer parents, numbering somewhere between 80 million and 95 million.<br /><br />Ross Haenfler, a University of Mississippi assistant professor of sociology and specialist in youth subcultures, believes the most prominent characteristic of the Millennial generation is how <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_S1r82aBMwNrXbhtb1D-1UTYVvLlcf12KrX6JHEPqKwq3YoZv_55Ls_-9iIRBhfvRjDTY7ZBqSs5MC9dLTwRQEGw6u-MJ8lKh3jqcvpMwvXeIzO434SaaU9uCHoIRBQPkKR9gtSld5Y6/s1600-h/haenfler.jpg"></a>technologically savvy they are. He mostly links that aspect to being plugged in their entire lives.<br /><br />Many Millennials spend their day either checking facebook, MySpace or twitter feeds. Others go to online forums and video sites like YouTube. When they are not in front of a computer, Millennials either have a cell phone in their hands texting or an MP3 in their ears. Sometimes it is both.<br /><br />“I think its changing their consciousness. Their ability to multi task is pretty amazing but so is their lack of attention,” Haenfler says, “Technology is almost a compulsion; it’s difficult for students to sit still and not be plugged in.”<br /><br />According to the authors who wrote the book <em>Millennials Rising</em>, William Strauss and Neil Howe, one of the Millennial generation’s other key strengths is that they are team players. Millennials play in groups and study in groups.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2yWCtMdVqo8hIOVkqrSQ5Cin9IEp0LAt4GCUlXDcbY0icmT9D6W_4a5n3Jo9Ue0y5FLj6WaIlHBIHasm7qW14p1VBRs2bMqITiiSRFUfk7IbPDgfVgSUUrjQE2b8AMTnYeb8EbKYAot3/s1600-h/30609206.jpg"></a>Because of this the Millennials are also the least race-conscious generation in American history. Millennial values encourage unity in dress and speech and ideals, far more than fears regarding diversity issues.<br /><br />Another aspect Haenfler cites for this generation is that it extends youth well into the 20’s, with fewer individuals wanting to be married, own a family, or a home by their mid 20’s.<br /><br />“For them it’s no rush, especially when they think they could live into their mid-80s,” Haenfler says.<br /><br />A number of studies, including new ones by the Center for American Progress in Washington and by Demos, a progressive think tank in New York, have shown that Americans in this age group face a variety of challenges that are tougher than those faced by young adults over the past few decades. Among the challenges are worsening job prospects, lower rates of health insurance coverage and higher levels of debt.<br /><br />In Strauss’ and Howe’s book <em>The Fourth Turning</em>, they predicted that some event between 2005 and 2010 will signal the beginning of about two decades of chronic fear and struggle. The effects of this event will have led to a point where compromise is no longer seen as a virtue. The Millennial generation will have no choice but to rise to the challenges.<br /><br />The authors make much of the generational structure of the Star Wars characters when it comes to this crisis. The Baby Boomers have become old Obi Wan Kenobi as a Prophet, who defines the confrontation. Han Solo, like Generation X, belongs to a "Nomad" generation that is likely to get most of the dirty work and little of the praise. Luke Skywalker is a Hero, obviously, and he is what the Millennials are to become. The shadow of Luke Skywalker, however, is his own father, Darth Vader. In the prequel to the trilogy, "The Phantom Menace," audiences see Darth Vader as a child, still full of possibility, like the little Millennials now.<br /><br />“For the average person of this generation, it’s going to be harder to achieve the kind of lifestyle their parents got to have,” Haenfler says, “This is the generation that in their lifetime, environmental and economical problems are going to come to a head. So once they are older and in positions of power, they are going to have to tackle these issues.”<br /><br />But Haenfler remains hopeful for Millennial’s future.<br /><br />“You hear a lot about this generation’s wanting to change the world for the better so that is where some of them are finding meaning in contrast with the ramped individualism of the 70-80’s,” Haenfler says, “Many of this generation are interested in giving something back and finding fulfillment in that.”<br /><br />Millennials are increasingly aware of and engaged in volunteer work, community service, and philanthropic activities. About 67 percent of students said helping others who are in difficult situations is an essential or very important objective, according to UCLA's annual survey, "The American Freshman—National Norms for 2006."<br /><br />The report also found that 35.2 percent of undergrads think it is important to become leaders, and 42 percent believe it's important to influence social values, which is the highest that measure has been since 1993.<br /><br />Under all of these circumstances is where students like James come in. With a tedious academic career and a very dreary economic future, he and the rest of his generation has come of age to where soon they will have to use every resource they have available to rise to the challenges of a very uncertain future.<br /><br />Published: March 9, 2009<br />the Daily Mississippian<br /><a href="http://blog.olemisslife.com/">http://blog.olemisslife.com/</a>Andrew Scott PRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11762318151540776397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2606396080615774198.post-8633055311538646402009-12-21T00:51:00.000-08:002010-03-06T01:17:15.220-08:00Local dealerships cope with soft economyOne of the many effects of the dramatic drop in the stock market is the corresponding drop in vehicle sales being felt by dealerships every where.<br /><br />“With a combination of credit restraints and the fear factor of the crash of the stock market, people have essentially stopped car sales,” Oxford’s Chandler Motor Co. President Lawrence Chandler said.<br /><br />In a recent report from Reuters, in the coming months as many as 3,800 U.S. car dealerships could fail, or nearly one in five across the nation.<br /><br />As a reminder of the times, an automotive magazine is sprawled across Chandler’s desk with the bold headline, “The Great Collapse.” Consumers and lenders seem to be tightening their belts more these days, he said.<br /><br />“People who are credit worthy are not buying because they have experienced significant losses in their net worth,” Chandler said. “And people who have lower credit scores who could normally get financing are now finding the door is closed.”<br /><br />At Cannon Motor Co., 1801 W. Jackson Ave., new car manager Randell Naramore said Cannon is feeling the same effects.<br /><br />“It’s a lot slower and most of all of your lenders have gotten a lot tighter on who they’re going to lend money to,” Naramore said.Both, however, remain positive about the customer.<br /><br />“It’s obviously a buyer’s market and they know they’re getting a great deal and you’re encouraging them to shop around,” Naramore said, “Most dealerships are really competitive right now. We need to move inventory — its no secret.”<br /><br />“We are taking action to control inventories and reduce expenses where possible,” Chandler said, “It’s a national economic crisis and actions of individual car dealers have little impact on the overall consumer confidence.”<br /><br />Dekki Jones, assistant sales manager at Belk Ford Mercury Toyota Inc., said they are also increasing incentives.<br /><br />“Last month was the first it had really affected us with a sales drop of 41 percent,” Jones said.<br /><br />“What I think is, people sit at home and watch too much TV,” Jones said about consumers’ wringing their hands over the economy. “Forget about it. Just go out and work and live your life.”<br /><br />Despite the current crisis, the company’s new and pre-owned sales representative Dennis Freeouf is optimistic.<br /><br />“I agree with the philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel — history is cyclic and so is the economy,” Freeouf said. “If you’ll go through a text book, you’ll see that though times are rough, there is a light on the other side.”<br /><br />His main confidence remains in the product.<br /><br />“Despite the current situation, from what we’re doing, we’ve remained in the top 20 in the state in sales,” Freeouf said. “We do not like turn over; customers do not like turnovers. Customers like a product bought from a company they like and that will follow through.”<br /><br />But, according to The Detroit Free Press statistics remain low. Across the nation, Toyota sales dropped 32.2 percent, Chrysler sales fell 33 percent and Honda sales were down 28 percent in the past few months. With Ford, sales were down 33.8 percent, 22.5 percent at Lincoln, 43.2 percent, Chrysler sales at 33 percent, and Honda sales down 28 percent.<br /><br />Chandler said he believes this is a problem the whole nation will have to contend with in order to make change.<br /><br />“It’s such an enormous issue that I think everyone is frustrated whether you own a dealership, restaurant, small business or factory,” Chandler said. “The solution rests with the combined efforts of all Americans.”<br /><br />Reports were circulated last week that poor market conditions had convinced Toyota officials to delay the opening of the company’s Blue Springs plant until 2011, but the company is dismissing these media reports, according to AutomotiveWorld.com Toyota officials are saying that for the moment at least, the company plans to continue with preparations to open the facility in 2010.<br /><br />Published: November 17, 2008<br />THE OXFORD EAGLE<br /><a href="http://www.oxfordeagle.com/">http://www.oxfordeagle.com/</a>Andrew Scott PRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11762318151540776397noreply@blogger.com