renee wielenga

staff writer

About

Community journalist in Sioux Center, IA, with a passion for telling the story of the community. I also voluntarily aid area churches with media-related projects, such as the re-branding process, updating website content and generating newsletter content. Specialties: Writing, reporting and editing skills in print and online media platforms; creative social media expertise; proficient in AP style, CS6; motivated by deadlines. Experienced with photography, page layout/design and management.

Country

united states

City

sioux center

Industry

newspapers

Skill

feature articles, copy editing, editing, journalism, newspapers, storytelling, facebook, ap style, newspaper, magazines, photography, online journalism, advertising, web content, indesign, newsletters, social media

Experience

interium reporter

sioux center news

2010-3 - 2010-5 · 3 mos

I searched, wrote and took pictures for news and feature articles along with covering Sioux County Board of Supervisor meetings as part of my college internship and to fill in for a reporter on maternity leave.

intern reporter

le mars daily sentinel

2010-1 - 2010-3 · 3 mos

I searched, wrote and took pictures for news and feature articles along with writing some Plymouth County supervisor articles and shadowing the editor as part of my college internship.

freelance writer and photographer

siouxland press

2007-1 - 2009-12 · 3 yrs

Found and investigated various topics for submitted articles

staff writer

iowa information

2010-7 - 2011-8 · 1 yr 2 mos

Staff writer at an award-winning newspaper. Responsibilities included writing news, features, sports and advertorials for The N’West Iowa REVIEW, Sheldon Mail-Sun, DISCOVER!, Sports Leader (magazine) and OKOBJI (magazine). Our team won first place for the 2011 General Excellence award from the National Newspaper Association.

beacon editor-in-chief

northwestern college

2009-1 - 2009-12 · 1 yr

* Led redesign of the newspaper's website * Supervised staff of six editors * Helped generate and execute story ideas each week and copy edited articles * Instructed staff on how to use InDesign * Wrote news articles occasionally * Prior semesters I held roles as: ad manager, news editor, assistant news editor and contributing writer.

staff writer

sioux center news

2011-9 - Present · 15 yrs 1 mo

Community journalist for weekly newspaper. Responsibilities include covering county government, gathering news stories and ideas for regular features telling the stories that shape the lives of those in the community. I also copy edit and help design/layout pages on production days (each Tuesday) as well as manage the Sioux Center News Facebook page. Our team won third place General Excellence for the Iowa Newspaper Association's 2015 awards.

contributing writer

cengage learning

2010-1 - 2015-1 · 5 yrs 1 mo

* Revised an submitted a past article for use as a sample essay. It's published as "Dream Act May Help Local Student Fight for Residence" in these Cengage Learning materials: * COMP" Third edition (coming in 2015) * COMP" Second edition (published 2013) * The College Writer: A Guide to Thinking, Writing, and Researching, Brief" Fifth edition (published 2012)

lecturer in communications

northwestern college

2015-1 - 2018-12 · 4 yrs

Supervise NWC's weekly student-lead newspaper, The Beacon. (online at: beacon.nwciowa.edu) Instruct COM217, a 1-credit practicum course.

Education

northwestern college

spanish

2006-1 - 2010-1 · 4 yrs 1 mo

Completed month-long study abroad program to Ecuador and a 10-day service project to Nicaragua. Activities and Societies: Northwestern College Academic Center tutor - provided assistance in understanding Adobe InDesign ; Writing Center tutor - helped students understand the writing revision process.