Whether it's with her words, through a camera lens or by thoughtful design, Shelby Reynolds has a passion for storytelling. “I enjoy being able to capture somebody's story and tell it through multiple formats,” she says. “A story is more than just the written portion. It's about the photos, videos and design elements that go along with it.”
Reynolds, who found she had a knack for storytelling while attending Wichita Northwest High School, fittingly is majoring in communication with a journalism emphasis at WSU.
“I always had a love for reading and writing, but my high school journalism adviser nurtured and coached me, and I decided to pursue it in college,” says Reynolds, who chose WSU because of a scholarship and the opportunity to collaborate with local media professionals. “It was a natural fit.” And still is, as this rising Shocker senior's stellar work for WSU's student newspaper The Sunflower and local media outlets like the Wichita Eagle and KWCH's “Catch It Kansas” can attest.
For her work at The Sunflower, Reynolds recently won the Collegiate Journalist of the Year award. “I can't put into words how much it means to receive that award,” she says. “As a reporter and a managing editor with The Sunflower in the last year, I've worked hard. Journalist of the Year was an honor that made it all worth it. I've had so many people over the years help me get to where I am now. So, if anything, this award is for all their hard work and dedication toward a young journalist eager to learn more.”
And Reynolds is confident she came to the right place to keep learning. “To me, being a Shocker combines high-class, hands-on education with community ties that you can't get anywhere else,” she says. “The Elliott School of Communication here at WSU is small enough to make an impact, but large enough to challenge me to try new things and meet new people. As a freshman, I thought I would only be a writer. But now I've discovered I have talents in video, design and web publishing.”
So far, Reynolds says her favorite journalistic experience was the Flint Hills Media Project summer course offered by the Elliott School. “I was a part of the project two summers ago,” she says. The course allowed Reynolds and her fellow students to document the annual Symphony in the Flint Hills concert and life at Fort Riley, where the concert was held that year.
“Not only did we cover the music, but also the soldiers that make the Flint Hills home,” says Reynolds. “It was such a unique opportunity and my work was printed side-by-side beautiful photographs in a beautifully designed magazine. It was life-changing, and assured me that yes, I am a storyteller.”
This summer, Reynolds will once again be applying what she has been learning, this time by working as a full-time intern at the Wichita Eagle. “I'll be writing for the news desk, reporting on various news and feature stories,” she says. “Last summer I covered a few breaking news stories and had the opportunity to shoot and edit video packages using a mobile application, which would then pair with my story.”
Although she does spend much of her time in front of a computer screen or behind a camera, Reynolds makes sure she stays active. “I'm a fitness junkie when I'm not a journalist,” she says. “I try to frequent the gym to lift weights and take kickboxing classes. It takes my mind off work and classes and keeps me focused throughout the year.”
When her mind is on her classes, though, she appreciates the support of those around her. “So much of what I've learned has come from working with other students, faculty and Wichita-area professionals,” she says. “The Sunflower staff is so incredibly talented and they challenge me and support me every day. The faculty at the Elliott School have given me so many opportunities to learn more and have walked me through many difficult stories and topics.”
No matter how challenging the topic, touchy the subject or happy the event, this dedicated journalist is sure to continue to wield her carefully chosen words, precisely aimed camera and thoughtfully created designs to share the whole story – wherever her career leads.
