What a Week...

I've returned from my hiatus.

This has been one of the most interesting weeks since I started my career as a television reporter.  I think it's appropriate to just recap what happened this past week.

Last Monday, one of our photojournalists (aka phojo), an intern, and I went out in the 100+ degree weather to north central Kansas for a travel story that covered two destinations, Rock City Park and Mushroom Rock State Park.  That was not only the first time I had ever been to those two destinations, it was also my first time doing a "sweeps story."  Typical stories, or what we call "packages" in the business, are about one minute thirty seconds to one minute forty-five seconds, while a sweeps story can last more than two minutes.  It was also the first time I'd left work past midnight because I needed to transcribe the interviews, write the story, and voice it, because the following two days were my days off.  I left work tired but fulfilled...which gave me more enthusiasm to talk about dreams and goals the following day.

Meritrust Financial Camp

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of talking to about 40 participants at the Meritrust Financial Camp at Eberly Farm.  I had a nice time sharing a presentation to the group of 8th and 9th grade students.  My talk was entitled "Lily's PIGGY Bank," fitting for a financial camp!  I was able to give them my two cents on how to achieve life's goals and what it's like to work in television news.  I've missed the times I was able to give weekly Rotary presentations, so this helped fill that void.

Phojos Nate and Schaefer during our live shots

I was fully energized to go back to work last Thursday, after having my weekend.  I walked into the newsroom and my assignment editor told me that I was going to be live for the 5 and 6 newscasts over a story that Wichita Police were asking media to alert the public.  Turns out that on my day off, Wednesday, there was a man that was enticing little girls to come to his truck at a local park.  The two girls, ages 7 and 11, told police that the same man had exposed himself to them before.  A bystander got the vehicle's description, including part of the license tag number, as well as the man's description.  So, my phojo and I left the station to see if we could talk to some park goers to get a sense of how they felt about the incident.  Upon arriving, I spotted a vehicle parked at the park that matched the description but tag did not match.  I called back our station because it was very coincidental that a truck matching the description with a man inside the vehicle was just parked there.  There were several things that were going through my head, I thought the guy wouldn't have the nerve to come back to the same park after that incident.  But if he did have the nerve, he could have easily changed his license tag.  Hence, talking to the police after our station transferred us.  As we were waiting for police to answer, another truck matching the description parked in between our vehicle and the first vehicle.  My phojo and I couldn't believe it!  We were alerting police of a possible person in question!!!!  It turned out that the man in the second vehicle had a license tag that matched the one police had given, plus the man was wearing clothing matching the description from the bystander.

We could have easily gone up to either one of those drivers with our camera and started asking questions, and could have aired it "first" on our channel.  Instead, we first thought of being citizens of the community, then to be newscasters.  It truly made me proud of our team!  One more added bonus to that day.  That man was taken in for questioning.  Problem is that it's not a crime to talk to children.  It is a crime to expose of one's self but that did not occur the day before, it supposedly occurred weeks before.  So, the man in question was able to return to his vehicle.  We were there when the man returned.  He said he didn't speak English.  Well, thankfully, I speak Spanish!  I was able to ask him a few questions in Spanish to get his side of the story.  In Spanish, the man said he doesn't frequent the park.   He also said he didn't remember being at the park, the night before.  


I was on cloud nine that day because we were able to alert police, then I got to use Spanish to interview the guy, and my travel story also aired that day.  Problem is that there are always people that want to put their own two cents in the comments.  Take for instance part of this one, "Lily needs to go back to school learn her colors" (in reference to the truck that was in question)  Hmm...#1 thanks for spelling my name correctly. #2 The colors were given by the police, the description was given by the police, and part of the license tag number was given by the police.  Enough said.  Then there's my favorite, "Hey kake, isn't it about time you cut your losses with Lily Wu? I mean, really"  Again, #1 thanks for spelling my full name correctly.  #2 I won't even go there :)  Comments like this no longer bother me...I was just smiling from ear to ear on Thursday for the career path I have chosen.

One of the cancer survivors that I had the pleasure of meeting

Then on Friday, I had the pleasure of co-emceeing the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" event in Wichita.  It was truly an honor to be amongst cancer survivors who shared stories of their battle.  It gave me hope for some friends who are currently battling cancer.  Hopefully, we will find cures to cancers some day soon.

Ladies Only gun safety class in Wellington

"Girls and Guns" was the story I did on Saturday.  Now, this was fun!  I was amongst women who wanted to learn the rules of safely handling guns and the fundamentals of marksmanship.  One of the women said, "Guns don't kill people.  People kill people."  I think it's good to know how to properly use any tool, whether it be a simple tool like a hairdryer (Don't use a hair dryer when standing on a damp floor or in a wet bathtub)...or a deadly weapon like a gun.  

Outside for about 5 minutes when temps reached 106!

Our television station went HD on Sunday at 5:30 p.m.  In that first show, I had my first package air on HD!!!  The story was about how people are trying to stay cool when we've had 100+ degree temperatures nearly every day last week and this week!  It was also fitting because it was the third Sunday in July, which happens to be National Ice Cream Day. 


Then yesterday...again this is why people need to learn how to use tools!  I had to go live for the 5 newscast because an 18-year-old boyfriend accidentally fired his handgun at his 19-year-old girlfriend, while he was trying to pull down his shorts.  The girlfriend was shot in the chest and had to be taken in to the hospital.  

Members of the newest Rotaract club in district.

And, finally, a piece directly related to Rotary, that will be reflected in the District 5690 Rotary Foundation newsletter.  I'm happy to announce that we have officially received the letter stating that we have chartered the Rotaract Club of Wichita!!!  It goes to show that ideas can become reality when you make them a goal with friends.  We'll be officially recognized as the newest and only community-based Rotaract club in the district during the conference in September. 

I believe that about does it for one week's worth of Lily Adventures.  Until next time...