User:Jnmornout/plan

Focus
I want to focus my final story around the award given at the University of Southern Indiana All-sports Banquet on Monday, April 21, 2014 to Sarah Goffinet, cross country and track runner, for the USI Inspiration Award. On November 1, 2013, Sarah was in an almost-fatal car crash when she hit a flatbed truck hauling a bulldozer head-on as she was following her mother home to Tell City, IN from Evansville, IN. The Goffinet family was told that night she might not survive surgery and if she did, she would likely lose her legs. Miraculously, Sarah survived the night and with three surgeries in the following three days, her legs were saved. Sarah has battles months of extended hospital visits, physical therapy, and two more surgeries to continue healing. Tonight, Sarah was presented the award, given only twice in the last 11 years, as recognition for her phenomenal survival and recovery from her crash. Because the award is so rare and it involves such a unique crash—the surgeon on the night of Sarah’s wreck told the family it was the worst condition he’s ever seen a victim brought in while still being alive—I believe it to be newsworthy for Wikinews.

Resources
There are several news sources that were published the week of the accident describing the details of the wreck. I also am interviewing the athletic director at USI, John Mark Hall, who presented the award to Sarah about details about the award, why it is so rare, and who has won the award in the past. I also interviewed Sarah’s cross country coach Mike Hillyard, as he was at the hospital the night of her wreck and has a lot to say about Sarah’s character.

What I can do
While part of the story will have to be about the wreck, the wreck is not the focus of my story; the Inspiration Award is the focus. I have footage of Sarah’s receiving of the award, which will add a lot to the story. I talked to Sarah’s parents about her award and also got a picture of her X-rays after her surgery in the hospital, where you can see the rods they put in one of her legs and her several broken bones. I also am a student-athlete myself, and because of that I can provide a unique angle that emphasizes the importance of this event, the sacrifices Sarah has made, and what this award means to the University and her team.