I Did It

Best choice I made was coming here. pic.twitter.com/7R5xiWDIAa

— Karli Bell (@KarliBell33) November 25, 2015

Four years ago, I received a letter in the mail back home in Chicago from Ohio University, saying that I was accepted into the university and into the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. Who knew that me making my decision to make the culture change from the metropolis of Chicago to the small town of Athens, Ohio would change my life for the better?

Today, I am an official graduate of Ohio University. I finished my degree in three and a half years and made lifetime friends while I was here. The memories I've made here are innumerable. From spending countless Friday nights in the newsroom for Gridiron to every roommate experience I've had, there is so much I've learned here.

The hours I've spent in the WOUB newsroom is immense. I've met my mentors, some of my best friends for life, and future journalists and teachers that are going to change the world for the better in that newsroom. Every show, every cast, every package, every live shot, every interview, and every game I've been a part of has shaped me in some way.

Now, I'm done with school and will enter the working world. I didn't expect my time here to end so quickly. I'm done with school. That's all I've known for 21 years. I'm going to be honest: I'm a bit scared to enter this new working world without having to worry about a 20 page paper to turn in for a political science course or a presentation for a Spanish class.

I'm not trying to sound cliche, but these were the best years of my life. I've had my trials and tribulations like everyone does, but I wouldn't change anything about my time here in Athens. Anytime I meet a freshman, I always say, "I'm so jealous." They have another four years in the best place in this country. It's become my home away from home. I never thought that I would love a small town as much as I love my big city.

I cannot thank my parents enough for letting me pursue my dream and my future. They gave me all the tools they could afford, supported me when others didn't, and took a huge financial risk on their daughter who wanted to get a journalism degree. That is something that I don't think I can ever fully repay. Even when I do eventually pay off these loans, I will still owe them my life for doing something like that for me.


Thanks so much Ohio University & WOUB for giving me the opportunities and
the work environment where I can grow as a journalist. Thank you to Jimmer, Seth, Baucco, and Lucas for being my mentors. Thank you Allison, Atish, Gabe, and Susan for being great co-workers in the newsroom as professional staff. Thank you to the sports department for becoming a part of my family and creating our own fraternity. I know all of you are going to be great successes one day, ranging from my fellow nine seniors all the way down to the freshmen. Thank you Carter for working with me through every issue and obstacle thrown our way this past semester. I couldn't have done anything without you. Thank you John & Jordan for being the best two friends I could have ever asked for.

Thank you to my roommates Katie, Tia, Madison, and Kristin for being able to deal with me for these past two years. Thank you to all my Fenwick girls (Tori, Izzy, Ashley, Claire, Speez, and Theresa) and the two fellow founders of the broadcast club (Jake & Will). Without you guys helping and pushing me throughout high school, I don't know where I would be now.

I still don't know where I will be next, and it's terrifying knowing that. I've been persistent, sent in bunches of job applications, created my resume, created demo reels and created my own website. Now, it's a waiting game to see what station will accept me to join their newsroom, just how four years ago I was waiting to see who would accept me to join their academic community.

All I can say now? I did it.

Thank You Seniors

A special group to the WOUB Sports department leaves the streets of Athens and heads off into the real world. When you work with a group like this one for three years, they not only become your coworkers, but they also become some of your closest friends. Every single one of these seniors has made an impact on me, and I feel that the Internet needs to know how great of a class you guys really are. So, here we go:

Bobson: Honestly, what is WOUB going to do without you next year? You stay calm, cool, and collected no matter what goes wrong in a show. I can speak for everyone that having you direct a show that we were on was always a great cast from your standpoint. Outside of the newsroom, your love for the Blue Jackets will forever live on no matter where you go, companioned by a bag of chips and a coke. Your dry humor made anyone laugh, no matter the mood they were in. Thank you for three years of clean shows, blue jackets knowledge, and a laugh whenever I was in the newsroom. Good luck on your future ventures. I know you'll do fantastic in North Carolina.

Billy: If this picture doesn't sum up your personality, then I don't know what does. You always had a smile on your face and a way to just bring energy to a room. Whether you were on the desk in a Hardwood polo or out in a Tigger suit, you were the life of a party. Your never ending love for the Cavs will still be present in Little Hartman. Your vast knowledge on all sports astounded me as a freshman and still does to this day. This SE-OH-AL reporter will be missed next year, not only on desk but in Athens in general. Thanks for 3 years of fun buddy. Keep on keeping on and stay that energetic self in your future ventures. Good luck and you'll be a success wherever you go.

Allie: Newswatch was fun to say the least. From late newsroom nights, scrambling for a showcase package to anchoring for Newswatch, you always stayed level headed. No matter the tech issue, you found a way to fix it and manage to come out with a great piece. Keep that patience as you venture on to bigger and better things.

Takitch:I guess we have too much energy Takitch. Ranging from covering baseball games last year to every Friday night as the host, you always found a way to help me with anything I asked you. I'm still amazed that you can solve a Rubiks cube. Thanks for every bit of advice, time in the newsroom, and your amazing caring personality and attitude. Continue on with your successes for many years to come.

Morgan: Will we miss you or your dog more? I'm just kidding. It seems to be a common theme throughout this post, but patience with me is something that I appreciate out of you Morgan. Continue on with your future successes, and I know you'll make it out to L.A.!

J-Mac: Ah the lovely days in the newsroom for Newswatch... J-Mac I'm totally going to miss your snide and clever one-liners in the newsroom. Thanks for all your advice and bright humor you brought to the newsroom. Continue on to your journey to a warm place where I know you'll find success.

Chuck: Is it Chuck or Charlie? Who cares! Man, anytime Chuck Walter would be on, you always knew something punny or witty was making the show. I don't think I've ever met someone as relaxed and comfortable on a desk as you are. Ranging from shooting games with you to just editing for your sports cast, you were always a fun and funny person in and out of the newsroom. Running on Chuck time will always be present, although gettting a haircut thirty minutes before show might now. I hope you continue with your success and find a place that's just as relaxed as you are. Thanks for three years of fun buddy!

Avery: The torch has been passed on. Thanks for the consistent serenades in the newsroom, Avery. It's been a fun and hectic year to say the least. Thanks for dealing with me this year and for giving Carter and I the opportunity to continue on at WOUB. Continue with your successes.

Tomas: Tomas....so much to say...First off, you shared a 773 area code. I know you always wanted silence in control, but let's be real....that would never happen with me up there. Tomas, thanks for just dealing with me from Newswatch to Hardwood. I hope you have an amazing wedding and a fantastic future where ever you go.








Sarah: The world traveller! Man, from freshman year covering Nelsonville...it's been a ride. I don't think I've ever met anyone as nice and sweet as you Sarah. You always find the brightness in the day and always have a smile on your face, even when you're crutching all over campus. You're ridiculously dedicated, especially with that West Virginia documentary. Thanks for three years of fun Sarah and continue on with your successes!

Kelsey: From one of my favorite producers of Newswatch to joining the sports department, I absolutely loved working with you. You communicated well, you understood frustrating situations, and always stayed calm, cool, and collected. I know you left in December to join the real world and be an adult, but we will still miss you in the newsroom. Continue on with you ventures and stay successful!

Levi: Not seeing you in the newsroom this year was rough to say the least. You were an amazing director for Gridiron last year, and I'm glad you were rewarded. However, I don't think you hear enough how strong you are. Dealing with any crisis that would happen in control or just dealing with stupidity is something that not many can do. Continue being strong on your journey to success.

Singer: You are just so knowledgeable it blows my mind. From Gridiron to covering baseball, it's been a fun year. Thanks for every fun fact and tid bit of information or just cracking jokes in the press box. Have an amazing career and continue to be successful!

Alex: My favorite weather person! Alex, you astonish everyone with your on-air presence. I know every chick admires your hair-teasing expert status. On a serious note though, thanks for just bringing a sense of calmness to the newsroom on those hectic Friday nights or anytime in WOUB. Continue with weather forecasts up in Youngstown and reach for the sky, no matter how cloudy it can be.

Baucco: I know I repeat myself, and you've heard it a million times, but thank you for helping me get out of my funk. Every one hour drive to Zanesville, every Friday night, and every random run-in on a GoBus, you had that bright smile with those dimples on your face. You helped me find me again, and I don't think I can ever repay you. Even when you would get under my skin by playing sound effects from Clash of Clans in the car to Philo, you'd laugh it off and flash that smile. Your spontaneous nature is something I envy. Your consistent push to get a laugh out of every day always brightened my day. You were there for me during my darkest moments, and I truly appreciate it. The Mafia Queen will always love you! Keep that smile on while you journey to success.

Lucas: My journalistic career would not have gone in any direction without you, Lucas. God, your passion, work ethic, and determination is something I admire about you. You always strived for perfection in any script or in anything in life. You're quirky in the best possible meaning of the word, and you take pride in it. You always speak your mind and fought through any adversity that came your way. You literally helped me start here at WOUB with Nelsonville-York, and the rest is history.  Your patience with me is something that no one has ever been able to master, and I truly appreciate it. From all the stupid questions I had as a freshman to some of the things that I would say, you would poke your fun but then help me out afterwards. You taught me so much just from your determination, and I don't think you hear that enough. Thank you so much Lucas for every memory and every bit of advice. Make Los Angeles your own Cedar Point.

Jimmer: Lucas guided me, but it was you that took the risk. You gave me every single debut at WOUB, and that alone I owe you so much. You are a strong individual, both mentally and physically. You fought through so much and had every obstacle thrown your way. No matter what came your way, you found a way to get through it and come out even stronger. You offered your two cents when I was in a dilemma. You dealt with the awkward freshman Karli and still deal with me to this day. You're a goof, a dork, but also one of my mentors. You taught me so much about what a taste of the real world can give you and how to turn everything into a blessing. I honestly don't know what my career would be like had I not met you. I'm upset that we didn't close until your senior year, but that's what the future is for. Thanks for every debut, life lesson, and your snarky comebacks. Keep on fighting, and I know you'll always come out on top with the reward of success.

A Sharp Turn Down the Road of Life

Well, as many of you may know, I am out in Omaha, interning at WOWT in the sports department. I'm having the best summer, getting hands-on experience in a newsroom, and living the dream covering some Triple A baseball and the College World Series. Guess what; I'm not there.

After just two days in the newsroom, I started feeling very sick. I could barely keep my eyes open, because the light hurt my eyes. I was fatigued all the time, trying to fit multiple naps in somewhere throughout my day. I couldn't talk, because my throat felt swollen. My head was pounding non-stop; I didn't know what was wrong with me. I thought it was a 24-hour bug so I went in to the station the next day.

I was still not feeling well, but I was better than I was the day before. I went in to the newsroom, and I was trying to find some energy. I was getting weaker and weaker. I was using so much energy to just try and keep my eyes open. I went to a doctor, and they told me it was a sinus infection. They gave me some antibiotics, and I went on my way home.

A couple days later, I was still wasn't feeling well. I ended up getting sick while I was on the job. I went to another doctor, and they gave me different antibiotics. It did nothing; I was getting really upset, because I was missing all these days at the station without getting any better. Finally, my uncle noticed that I was red in the face and not my normal sunburn red. I looked in the mirror, and it looked like I had chicken pox all over my face. I went to a doctor for the third time. They said it was either strep or mono (mind you, I haven't had strep since I had my tonsils and anoids removed when I was 5). Doc came back after running a blood test and told me I had tested positive for mono.

Those were the hardest six words I have ever heard. Those words meant my internship was done, my part time job I had was done, and I would have to come back home to Chicago. I was balling my eyes out, knowing that the summer I was so excited for just disappeared. I went back to my uncle's house and just could not stop crying. I called my boss at the station, and he was really understanding of the whole situation. I was only in the newsroom for four days, and he still offered me the internship for next summer. That was the absolute last thing I expected; I was waiting for a "Well, it was great working with you for a short time. Feel better and enjoy your upcoming school year." Four days and I still received an internship for next summer? I was astounded.

I called my parents, and my mom flew out to come and get me on Father's Day. I just sunk into depression on the entire eight hour drive back to Chicago. Granted, I was given a second chance for next summer, but I wanted it this summer (you will come to find that I can be very impatient). I was so upset at myself for not taking care of my body throughout the entire school year. Instead, I ignored any health problem I had so I could be with friends, study, or be at WOUB on campus.

A month and 20 pounds later, I am almost over this disease. I had red dots all over my body, I lost so much weight, my hearing was damaged, and I slept for practically a month. Blood test after blood test, aspirins, constant visits to doctors; I swear Northwestern Hospital should know me by name by now. All this free time that I've had this month has helped me instead of harmed me, like I originally thought.

I have been spending this time getting healthy as a way to continue my work. I have been writing constantly, whether it's on this blog or it's a sports piece for SportsRants Women. I have been working on my memoirs non stop. While my family went on their vacation, I spent time with my grandfather (by that, I mean he spoiled me). I've found this new strength, both physical and mental, that I've never experienced. This time has taught me to think of each sharp turn down this road of life as the long way to acheiving my goals and aspirations. Eventually, I'll get there with hard work, connections, and a bit of luck. Am I happy I got mono? No, but I am happy with what this disease did to me: open my eyes a bit more and just go along for the drive on this road of life.