Hello Everyone!

It's been a while since my last blog and a lot has changed in my life during that time. Here is one experience that I think is worth sharing.

From my last entry, I made it very apparent through my choice of work here at Berry that I am attempting to steer my career path in the direction of broadcast news. Recently,  I had the opportunity to meet a man by the name of Rob Harber who is a graduate of Berry and a news writer for CNN in Atlanta. He offered to give me an in depth tour of the CNN newsroom (Nothing at all like the "Inside CNN" tour that everyone does when visiting Atlanta). I quickly took him up on his offer and I was in a state of awe as I got to take a walk through the newsroom where all of the action was being choreographed. Not only did I get a look behind the scenes but I had the chance to enter the studio where the anchors were recording live national news! This is not even the best part. After talking to Rob for a while, he mentions that he writes directly for CNN news anchor Don Lemon, a career icon of mine that I have been watching for years! Rob sent me Don's best-selling book Transparency with a note from Don that said, "Sorry I missed you, hope to see you soon. Don Lemon." Within a few weeks, I was back in Atlanta to spend the entire day shadowing Don and watching him do what he does best. I sat in on the news meeting and actually provided input while Don edited his script. I saw Don go through hair and make-up, and sat on the sidelines with a headset while Don reported LIVE national news! 

At the end of the day, Don took my cell phone number and we talked briefly about me interning for him during the summer of 2012. With a firm hand shake and a smile, Don and I parted ways as he got ready to go on the air again for the 11pm show. Recently, I applied for 8 different internship positions and Don Lemon is the first name on my reference list. I am still waiting to hear back from CNN, but I have continued reading Don's book and we still keep in touch by phone. This experience fervently enhanced my passion for becoming an on-air personality and Don has proven himself to be a quality role model to look up to. I can't wait to see what comes next, but I will be sure to let you know!

 "Stay classy Planet Earth"

 Darren

If someone had told me three years ago that I would be attending college in a place called Mount Berry, Georgia, I probably would have run from them in fear of their impending lunacy. Okay, this may be an exaggeration but you get the point. I have lived in big cities my entire life and the thought of living in a smaller town always made me uneasy. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, until the age of 13, moved to Orlando, Florida, and graduated from Dr. Phillips High School, and now my permanent residence is in the bustling city of Miami, Florida. So I guess you can say that I am not accustomed to polite drivers, free flowing traffic, or the incredible recipe of chicken and dumplings that I have been deprived of for so long. The thought of living in North Georgia never even crossed my mind until it came time for college, and even then I was not too keen on the idea. 

Financially, my family has struggled for a very long time and worrying about money has almost become second nature to me. Panicking to find an affordable college was a task that I would never wish upon anyone. I had always planned to move back to California for college or go to a big school in Florida. However, financial constraints placed a formidable obstacle in my path and I was desperately trying to find the tools to overcome it. My best friend's father, Berry alum Bill Pence, offered to take me on a road trip to Berry to see if I liked it. I remember the first time I set foot on the Berry campus, I loved the feeling that overcame me when I was surrounded by the beautiful buildings and lively students that were all on a journey to attain their degrees, but I honestly could not see myself ever attending the school. The scenery was amazing and the people were incredible, but I didn't feel like the small school thing suited my personality. Interestingly enough, it was not until I visited other schools and saw what they had to offer that I truly realized how unique Berry was and how enthusiastic the school is about building a strong foundation for a successful future in the lives of its students. I was not just another identification number or possible tuition check, I was a prospective student and member of the Berry family. This explains why I was so excited about applying and taking a second road trip to this hidden treasure called Berry College.

 At first I was very hesitant about applying to Berry, considering the cost of the school, but Bill Pence reassured me that, if I really showed a desire to go to Berry, the school would do everything possible to make it a reality. I applied for the Gate of Opportunity scholarship program, which is a work-study program that emphasizes working for your education. I remember it was after school and I was at the Pences' house when my mom called me in tears shouting, "You did it! You did it!" I was officially a recipient of the Gate of Opportunity program and a full-fledged student at a school that seemed completely out of my financial grasp. I did it!

Since then, I have accomplished so many things here at Berry. The scholarship program set me up with a wonderful job as a sports videographer, and I am now hosting, filming, writing, editing, and producing my own sports show, for the athletics department called, "The Viking Zone". I have worked as a Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration leader here at Berry and have appeared in the Berry Magazine as well as on a billboard in Atlanta, Georgia. I have experienced so much as a student of Berry College, and the lessons I have learned so far have opened my eyes in a way that I can not explain. Everything that seemed impossible three years ago has become a reality in my life, and I am excited to see what else comes my way during my next two years at Berry. Expect the unexpected.

  To view "The Viking Zone", please visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/BerryCollegeSports
 

Go Vikings!

Darren Barnet