La’Kellia Veal gets hands-on reporting experience at SWAC and SEC Media Day events

La’Kellia Veal gets hands-on reporting experience at SWAC and SEC Media Day events

One student from Alcorn State University’s Department of Mass Communications reported live from two of this summer’s biggest sporting events.

La’Kellia Veal, a senior, attended the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Media Day event Friday, July 14 at the Birmingham Marriott Hotel in Alabama. She also participated in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Media Day events from Monday, July 10 to Thursday, July 13 in Hoover, Alabama.

While interning at WAFB Channel 9 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana this summer, La’Kellia was encouraged by Steve Schneider, the station’s sports director, to participate in the Media Day events.

“Mr. Schneider saw a lot of potential in me, so he motivated me to seek a more hands-on journalism experience,” said La’Kella. “If it wasn’t for his motivation, I never would have been able to go out and report at such big events. I was more than happy to attend the events.”

Participating in the events gave La’Kellia an opportunity to come out of her introverted shell. She said that learning to calm her nerves was the most important lesson she learned at the events.

“Nervousness is something that people can see in you, so I’m learning to let go of my nervousness and shyness so that I can do a better job at interviewing others.”

La’Kellia is happy that she was able to gain hands-on experience as a sports reporter.

“The experiences were very humbling and exciting,” said La’Kellia. “It was exciting because I’ve watched these reporters, coaches and players on television, and to be in the same room that they were in was an awesome experience.”