Nov 21st, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
With Akron entering the men’s NCAA soccer tournament undefeated — and so far still surging — the Zips have been garnering attention, not just among college soccer fans, but from some media outlets as well.
Last week, I did an interview with the NPR station at Kent State discussing whether Akron really has a shot at the national title (it does) and what it is that’s taken the team this far.
Listen: WKSU News – Akron men’s soccer team takes 18-0-0 record into playoffs.
Nov 12th, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
As part of its Veterans Day coverage, ESPN.com’s Page 2 ran a five-day series of first-person essays, in which writers collaborated with notable athletes who had also served in the Armed Forces.
For my piece, I chose Gino Marchetti, former Colts defensive end and a soldier in the U.S. Army’s 69th Infantry Division in World War II. He talked candidly about his experiences at war and how they shaped his life.
Oct 25th, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
I was recently approached about the possibility of writing for ESPN.com’s Page 2. It’s obviously a great opportunity and one that I am very excited about pursuing.
My first Page 2 story – on the Monopoly World Championships (Hey, I say it’s as much a “sport” as poker.) – ran this week.
Oct 22nd, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
A story I did for CCTV’s NeighborMedia program won an award at the recent Alliance for Community Media Northwest Region Video Festival.
My video, Chalk on the Walk, documented the Cambridge Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser, which is held as part of the Harvard Square Mayfair. The piece incorporated video and still photography.
I shot the video with a Flip camera, used a Canon point-and-shoot for the the still photos and edited the piece using iMovie.
Oct 18th, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
Here’s the second piece I wrote for Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
A feature that ran in the print magazine, the story looked at the struggles undocumented college students face when pursuing a college education. This segment of students has really been impacted by the current economy and growing anti-immigration sentiment.
Oct 15th, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
Here’s a piece on Major League Soccer’s efforts to reach the Latino market. The league has really been at the forefront of appealing to this key demographic.
This story was written to run as part of ESPN.com’s Hispanic Heritage Month package.
Oct 5th, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
This is the first of two stories I recently wrote for Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
The piece looks at what Sonia Sotomayor’s appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court means to Latina law students and professors.
It ran online today to coincide with the beginning of a new term in the high court.
I also wrote a magazine feature that will be out mid-month, which I will also post here.
Sep 17th, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
CCTV asked me if I would be willing to be interviewed for a monthly NeighborMedia spotlight feature. The questions all focused on my involvement in the program – why I wanted to do it, what stories I was most proud of and what I’d gained from the experience.
Here’s the spotlight piece.
Aug 5th, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
I am now on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
I was elected Region 2 Director. The region covers from Maine to New Jersey and is the biggest of NAHJ’s eight regions.
I ran for the board because I am committed to NAHJ and its goals. I literally would not be where I am today if not for my involvement with NAHJ. I was a member of the 2003 Student Campus, had the honor of being named the 2007 Emerging Journalist of the Year and held the position of vice president for print/new media of NAHJ Boston during our founding year (2008-2009).
Through NAHJ, I have made many valuable connections – professionally (most notably my position at The News-Sentinel and my work for ESPN.com) and personally (I met my husband at the 2006 convention).
I look forward to having the chance to give back to the organization that has helped shape not just my career, but my life. I hope to help facilitate such experiences for other journalists, both young and experienced.
Aug 1st, 2009 by Maria Burns Ortiz
I was selected to receive a grant from the German-American Fulbright Commission to take part in the 2009 Berlin Capital Program.
From the program’s description:
The program will introduce [participants] to current affairs in German politics and society with a special focus on Berlin. … You will hear about the latest developments in the German media landscape and the challenges media are facing, learn about the training of journalists, their function in politics and the media’s importance in shaping public opinion, the responsibility of media in a multicultural society, and the challenges for media in times of crises.
I will spend a week in to Berlin this November. It should be a great learning experience, and I’m really excited about this opportunity.