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Our two newest reporters interview each other

From paperboy to reporter

Staff writer

When one of the Record’s two new reporters, Jason Tidd, first delivered newspapers in the third grade, he had no idea journalism would eventually become his life passion.

“My route delivered newspapers to the townhouses in subsidized living,” Tidd said. “The residents would steal newspapers from under the doors of their neighbors, showing me just how much the community values local journalism — even if Thursday’s paper with the TV guide was the one stolen the most.”

It was not long before he decided to pursue journalism, where he hoped to combine his interests in education and writing into one field.

“Journalists are the ultimate teachers and students,” he said. “We learn something new every day and teach our readers what we learned.”

He graduated from Kansas State University in May, where he was the editor-in-chief for the Collegian, the K-State student newspaper. Along with the Collegian, he took pride in playing the baritone with the K-State marching band.

Most recently, he spent the summer interning in the nation’s capital for the Washington Times, covering the Metro transportation beat.

Now, he has boxes filled with his newspaper clippings. But if you ask him what his best or favorite story is, it will not be one from the box.

“My favorite story is always the next one I will write,” he said.

And if you ask him to pick a favorite of anything else, you won’t get an answer.

“Why pick one, when you can enjoy them all?” he asked.

Unless if you are asking about his favorite color.

“The Kansas sunset,” he said. “And it’s even better when the sun sets over a nice water tower or combine in the field.”

In Marion County, he is most looking forward to watching the Kansas sunset over Marion County Lake after spending a summer in Washington, D.C., where he said the sunsets and the people are just not the same.

Came for ag, stayed for people

Staff writer

A love of agriculture brought one of the Record’s new reporters, Kaitlyn Alanis, from the central valley of California to Kansas
State University.

“Agriculture brought me here, but the people kept me here,” she said. “I learned the Kansas way after the very first door I walked through. I saw the way people look back when they exit a door to see if they can hold it open for someone else. It’s truly something special.”

After a year as an agricultural education major, she switched to agricultural communications and journalism, and she found a home at the Collegian, the K-State student newspaper.

“I had a passion for agriculture and education, but I missed writing,” Alanis said. “I realized I could combine my love for the industry along with my love for writing by switching into ag com.”

A budding journalist had been growing in Alanis for years already. She was named the state star reporter with the California FFA while a junior at Los Banos High School.

And while she does not like the texture of meat, there are few foods better than those with tomatoes — a major California crop.

“There’s nothing better than a fresh, home-grown tomato,” she said.

Alanis graduated from college in three years and spent the summer interning at the Wichita Eagle.

She has a puppy, Crumbles, who you can follow on Instagram @CrumblesTheChihuahua.

“I grew up with a Chihuahua, so I had been counting down the days till I graduated so I could welcome another Chihuahua into my life,” she said. “Crumbles is the perfect addition as I transition into Marion.”

Alanis is excited to connect with Marion County and experience life in small-town Kansas.

“I used to call my hometown of 30,000 a small town,” she said. “Life in Marion County is certainly a new experience, but I can’t wait to meet the people — and the puppies — who make up this town and county.”

Last modified Aug. 3, 2017

 

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