Photo by Giovan Santiago
Chad Ochocinco in Orlando? Yes, please.
Something we never get tired of over here is highlighting the truly game-changing, only-in-Orlando moments that happen on our tech scene. This one, however, came out of nowhere.
To set the stage: late last week, we were invited to cover a collaboration between the video game giant and the brains behind the Madden NFL series Electronic Arts and Edgewater High School.
It was a fun skills camp on Friday afternoon that led into an evening matchup between the school’s football team and a European team.
I spoke with our correspondent, Giovan Santiago, and asked if he would cover it.
While there, he sent word that the camp was being overseen by none other than the man, the myth, the legend, former Cincinnati Bengals superstar and hilarious dude Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
Now, we will have the story about the camp this week, of course.
But it was really cool to have a platform that offered a unique experience to our writer. I was jealous.
Ocho was a staple on my great and not-so-great fantasy football teams of the 2000s so I have been a fan for a while.
Still, being able to have this news site that can highlight some of the moments that are uniquely Orlando is what it’s all about.
As for the correspondent, he wasn’t as starstruck as I likely would have been so it was likely a good idea that he went for the assignment.
Have writing skills? Come on down!
I have an internal rule when I teach reporters and writers, whether it’s on the job or at the summer workshops I run at my alma mater: It’s my responsibility to assess your skill level, meet you there and make you better every time out.
Of course, as part of that, I expect the writer to put feedback into practice. So far, with Giovan, that has definitely been the case.
So, it was not a big reach for me to send him to the event at Edgewater High School.
Now, I am working toward creating an infrastructure to support multiple writers.
Here’s my ask: if you know student journalists who want to earn experience, send them my way.
If you know any photographers, writers or videographers who want to learn, have them reach out to me. I have more than enough assignments.
And, as I said, I can absolutely guarantee they will get better at their storytelling every time out.
You can reach me at marcosantana77@gmail.com.