As the torch was lit to mark 100 days until the Special Olympics National Summer Games hit Christchurch, NZ Broadcasting School student Adriana Tobin was there to capture all of the action.
The second year journalism student has been working alongside the Special Olympics organisation this year, writing articles and creating social media content.
She made the connection thanks to Special Olympics media manager Coen Lammers, who came to speak to journalism students at NZBS last year.
“A lot of the guests that are brought into BSchool are industry experts who have a lot going on, and can offer us heaps of opportunities,” Adriana says.
“It’s really easy to reach out and see if you can snatch up an opportunity and have a go.”
Adriana also has a personal connection to the Special Olympics, as her younger brother has Down Syndrome.
“It’s an area that I’m familiar with, so I thought it would be a great opportunity.”
She works alongside a team of student journalists from around Aotearoa to create content for the organisation.
For Adriana that has ranged from interviewing coaches and athletes and writing an article on the NZBS news website MetroNews, to social media content.
This week she was at the Flame of Hope lighting ceremony to create social content.
“It’s been very cool to take the skills that I’ve learned at BSchool and apply them to a real life situation.
“It’s been great meeting all the athletes and the coaches and hearing their stories, I’m a big people person so hearing what they’ve overcome to make it to the Olympic Games is really nice and heartwarming.”
A keen sports journalist with a love of multimedia journalism, Adriana says her Special Olympics work has definitely been a step in the right direction.
“I’m just learning a lot because they’ve given me the opportunity to do what I’d like to, to expand my skill set.”
The Special Olympics National Summer Games will take place in Christchurch from December 10-14.
The National Summer Games is the four-yearly pinnacle event for over 1200 Special Olympics athletes with an intellectual disability, representing 42 clubs, competing in 10 sports and six venues across the city, and supported by over 500 coaches and thousands of family and supporters.