Nicole-Marie Konopelko
JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE
The University Daily Kansan: Lawrence, Kan.
News Correspondent
JULY 2019 - PRESENT
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Pitched, researched and wrote feature and news articles weekly.
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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
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Manage Twitter, Facebook and Wordpress pages for non-profit.
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Produce bi-weekly newsletters featuring scholastic publications.
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Doubled Facebook page following within one month.
Photo by | Alesha Lawson
The Morning Sun: Pittsburg, Kan.
Freelance Reporter
JUNE 2018 - JULY 2019
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Covered area news and events.
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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
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Wrote weekly recaps on city commission meetings.
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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
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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.
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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
FEBRUARY 2019
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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First Place, Opinion Writing — "Abusing power" — November 2017 Monthly Contest
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First Place, Features Writing — "A place to finally call one's own" — October 2016 Monthly Contest
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Second Place, News Writing — "Aftermath" — February 2018 Monthly Contest
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Second Place, Features Writing — "A balancing act" — Dec./Jan. 2016-17 Monthly Contest
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Second Place, News Writing — "Meeting the basic needs" — January 2016 Monthly Contest
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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.
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"Surviving the battle" — December 2018
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"Creating irreversible masterpieces" — March 2019
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"Board of Education begins search for new principal, extends timeline" — March 2019
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"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
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Majors: Journalism, Russian.
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John P. Kaiser Scholarship (full-ride) recipient.
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University Honors student.
Pittsburg High School: Pittsburg, Kan.
Class of 2019
AUGUST 2015 - MAY 2019
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2018 Kansas Governor’s Scholar (Top 1% in state).
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2018 Kansas Honor Scholar (Top 10% in state).
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National Honor Society.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
California Scholastic Press Association Workshop
JULY 8-21, 2018
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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
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Wrote investigative piece on dangers of artificial turf of under guidance of Pulitzer Prize-nominated reporter Jenifer McKim.
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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)