Nicole-Marie Konopelko

JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE

The University Daily Kansan: Lawrence, Kan. 

News Correspondent, Student Senate Reporter 

JULY 2019 - MAY 2020 

• Pitched, researched and wrote feature and news articles weekly.

• Covered all matters related to Student Senate, including the Spring Election, University finances and weekly meetings. 

• Wrote front-page feature article on blind, award-winning pianist. Article ran as
  lead print story and received extra play on website.

• Designed newspaper pages using new, modernized style guide.

SEPTEMBER 2019 - PRESENT

Kansas Scholastic Press Association: Lawrence, Kan. 

Social Media Intern, Programming Assistant

• Manage Twitter, Facebook and Wordpress pages for non-profit.

• Produce bi-weekly newsletters featuring scholastic publications.

• Doubled Facebook page following within one month.

Photo by | Alesha Lawson

The Morning Sun: Pittsburg, Kan. 

Freelance Reporter 

JUNE 2018 - JULY 2019 

• Covered area news and events.

• Wrote sports feature article on Hispanic community soccer league in downtown Pittsburg. Article made it in publication’s end-of-year issue as one of its top stories of 2018.

The Collegio: Pittsburg State University 

City Commission Beat Reporter 

NOVEMBER 2016 - MARCH 2017 

• Wrote weekly recaps on city commission meetings.

• Wrote monthly articles on city government issues such as Pittsburg’s older housing stock and changes in job positions.

The Booster Redux: Pittsburg High School 

Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Reporter 

JANUARY 2015 - MAY 2019 

• Wrote sports feature article on Hispanic community soccer league in downtown Pittsburg. Article made it in publication’s end-of-year issue as one of its top stories of 2018.

• Revamped all social media accounts and created online news presence, leading staff to first ever NSPA “Best of Show” award for news website in school history.

AWARDS 

Kansas High School Student Journalist of the Year

Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA) 

FEBRUARY 2019 

• Selected as top student journalist in all KSPA schools for the state of Kansas upon submitting online portfolio.

National High School Student Journalist of the Year Runner-Up 

National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA)

APRIL 2019 

• State-winning portfolio selected as second best portfolio among 39 portfolios from student journalists nationwide.

National "Feature Story of the Year" Winner 

National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) 

NOVEMBER 2019 

• In-depth feature article on student’s journey through Kansas foster care chosen as top feature story in nation for 2018-19.

Al Neuharth Free Spirit & Journalism Conference Rep

Freedom Forum Institute 

JUNE 16-21, 2018

• Selected by Freedom Forum Institute and Neuharth family to represent the state of Kansas as top student journalist at all-expenses paid Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference at Newseum in Washington, D.C.

State Monthly Contest Awards

Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA) 

FEBRUARY 2016 — SEPTEMBER 2018 

*Articles selected as top in the state in KSPA's monthly contests, placing as follows: 

• First Place, Opinion Writing — "Abusing power" — November 2017 Monthly Contest

• First Place, Features Writing — "A place to finally call one's own" — October 2016 Monthly Contest 

• Second Place, News Writing — "Aftermath" — February 2018 Monthly Contest 

• Second Place, Features Writing — "A balancing act" — Dec./Jan. 2016-17 Monthly Contest 

• Second Place, News Writing — "Meeting the basic needs" — January 2016 Monthly Contest 

• Third Place, Features Writing — "Breaking gender roles" — Aug./Sept. 2018 Monthly Contest 

Best of Student Newspapers Online 

Student Newspapers Online (SNO) 

DECEMBER 2018 - MARCH 2019 

*Articles published by SNO to showcase the nation's best work in student journalism. 

• "Surviving the battle" — December 2018 

• "Creating irreversible masterpieces" — March 2019 

• "Board of Education begins search for new principal, extends timeline" — March 2019

• "District hires Heardt as new principal, begins replacement process" — March 2019  

EDUCATION 

The University of Kansas: Lawrence, Kan. 

Bachelor of Arts, May 2023

AUGUST 2019 - PRESENT

• Majors: Journalism, Russian. 

• John P. Kaiser Scholarship (full-ride) recipient.

• University Honors student. 

Pittsburg High School: Pittsburg, Kan. 

Class of 2019 

AUGUST 2015 - MAY 2019 

• 2018 Kansas Governor’s Scholar (Top 1% in state).

• 2018 Kansas Honor Scholar (Top 10% in state).

• National Honor Society.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

California Scholastic Press Association Workshop

JULY 8-21, 2018 

• Wrote articles and produced media under guidance of accomplished reporters, including Variety Magazine, the
  Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register.

Boston University Investigative Reporting Summer Workshop 

JULY 23 — AUGUST 4, 2017 

• Wrote investigative piece on dangers of artificial turf of under guidance of Pulitzer Prize-nominated reporter Jenifer McKim. 

• Accepted third place national award for story covering homeless youth within Pittsburg community.

SKILLS

AP Style: Editing, Usage

Social Media: Covering events, promoting stories, live-tweeting 

Wordpress and Wix: Web design

Adobe InDesign: Page layout, graphic design

Photo and Video: Shooting b-roll and photos of people, events

LANGUAGES

English (native)

Russian (native)

German (beginner)