Feature story by Chris Hart
Tuesday afternoon marked my arrival in New York City (Gotham). After checking into my hotel, I took some time to unpack and unwind before making my way to the boat tour of the Statue of Liberty. Following a brief rest period, I began walking toward the designated meeting point for the tour. Just as I reached my destination, the rain intensified, but it didn’t dampen my spirits.
Once the tour commenced, I found shelter below deck where it was both warm and dry. The tour guide began sharing insights into New York City as our boat navigated down the Hudson River. He explained, “The city consists of five boroughs, each aligned with its corresponding county. As of 2024, the estimated population is approximately 8,478,072 across over 300.46 square miles; however, when including the metropolitan area encompassing Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, and Staten Island, this number rises to about 23.5 million.” Continuing down the Hudson River, he pointed out notable landmarks: “On your left is the new World Trade Center while on your right is New Jersey’s harbor.” As I stepped outside to get some pictures.
As we progressed along our route, he noticed a dock where the Titanic was intending to arrive on that fateful day. The Hudson River stretches roughly 315 miles from north to south through eastern New York State. Additionally, both the Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel run beneath the river connecting Manhattan and New Jersey. He then announced to everyone aboard: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we are nearing the Statue of Liberty; if you’re on deck or exploring around, feel free to head down to the snack bar for hot cocoa, soda, snacks or coffee. We’ll be arriving in ten minutes.” After capturing some photos of New York City’s skyline, I decided to go downstairs for some hot cocoa. Soon as I got my hot cocoa, I took a seat at the closest table, knowing it would be a few minutes before we reached the Statue of Liberty.
Time seemed to pass quickly, as the tour guide announced over the intercom, “We have finally arrived at the Statue of Liberty. As you can see, she is an enormous statue of a robed and crowned woman located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. The idea for this monument originated in 1865 when the French historian and abolitionist Edouard de Laboulaye proposed creating a tribute to celebrate the upcoming centennial of U.S. Independence in 1876.”
As I gazed at Lady Liberty, I was astounded by how it was constructed in the 19th century. The sight of her truly takes your breath away with such craftsmanship and intricate detail. While capturing images of the statue, I could envision the massive ships departing from New York during WWII, with their crews perhaps viewing her for one last time.
When the tour guide concluded their commentary on the Statue, the boat began its return to the main port. I lingered outside a bit longer, gazing at Lady Liberty and reflecting on how thankful I am to live in this country. While we may not be flawless, who truly is? The last thought I expressed to myself was, “Farewell Lady Liberty, I hope to see you again soon.” Upon our arrival at the dock, the rain intensified significantly. I opted to request Uber to return to my hotel for the night, having only had four hours of sleep so far; at this point, I was surprised that I was still awake.
Wednesday was a bright and refreshing day. After getting out of bed, I proceeded to prepare for the day ahead. Today I marked my visit to the Empire State Building with Sarah and Gavin. Once I placed my order for Starbucks, I made my way downstairs to pick it up. I received a message from Rich asking if I would like to join them for breakfast; after a quick phone call, we struggled to hear each other clearly. Consequently, Rich texted me that he would come over shortly, and before I could take a sip of my coffee, he had already arrived in the lobby. To my surprise, I realized that the hotel where Rich, Bonni, Sarah, and Gavin were staying was quite close.
As we approached the restaurant within the hotel where everyone was gathered, I noticed the beautiful marble floor in the well-lit lobby. Upon sitting at the table with everyone already eating, I felt intense nervousness; this was my first experience traveling alone in nearly a decade—especially daunting given that I’m from a small rural town of 20,112 residents. While trying to think of conversation starters, I turned to Gavin and Sarah to ask about their flight experience. They both shared their insights while I took a moment to absorb everything around me.
Once everyone finished breakfast, Lovis arrived shortly afterward. We exchanged greetings for a few minutes before Bonni and I departed back to the Marriott where the CMA event was taking place. Our first seminar was titled AI + Journalism, presented by Mike Reilley. He introduced tools pertinent for journalists available on JournalistsToolbox.ai—a free resource for approximately 30 years (with a focus on AI as of 2023) featuring newsletters and over 155 short training videos alongside thousands of links to various AI tools focused on writing, editing, data analysis, ethics, automation, fact-checking, etc. As Mike spoke and I took notes simultaneously, I found his information incredibly valuable.
Mike also mentioned another helpful writing resource: Hemingway.com which identifies wordy sentences and grammatical errors along with common writing mistakes. Eventually, all five of us wrapped up our time at the seminar. We lingered for a few moments since I needed to retrieve my coat while Gavin and Sarah planned to return briefly to their hotel for some items. Lovis and I decided we would meet them at Hotel Edison afterwards because our plan was to head over to Central Park first.
Lovis, Sarah, Gavin, and I used the subway system heading towards to Central Park—the renowned urban park situated between Manhattan’s Upper West Side and Upper East Side neighborhoods—and recognized as America’s first landscaped park. Covering 843 acres makes it New York City’s sixth-largest park and it attracts around 42 million visitors each year as its most frequented urban space. As we finally reached Central Park, I was struck by its distinctive and expansive atmosphere, especially considering the surrounding buildings. The ground still bore remnants of snow, while the temperature was pleasantly mild at 50 degrees. I observed numerous people strolling with their dogs, jogging, or simply enjoying a walk together. This park is rich in history; during the Great Depression, it was filled with shanties and became known as Hooverville. Additionally, various films have been shot here, including two notable scenes: one features the concrete bridge from Batman Returns, where the penguin’s parents are discarded into the river as a baby, and another showcases the fountain from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, where Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin) finds himself in the park.
Eventually, all four of us located the iconic bridge. Later that day, while reviewing my gallery, I felt frustrated that I hadn’t captured a full-length photo of it. As we waited for our chance to take pictures on the bridge, Sarah suggested we take a group selfie there
When we finished capturing photographs, we all began to stroll in search of the renowned water fountain. After a few minutes, we located it. I paused to take several pictures of this iconic structure. As I admired its design, particularly the intricate details at the top, I realized that what I cherish most is visiting a lovely park where I feel completely safe. Everyone there seemed absorbed in their own activities. On our way out, I stopped by a few local vendors, one of whom showcased beautiful paintings he had created. Consequently, I purchased two pieces from him. This experience is truly enriching; I’m hoping my classmates will get a chance to know me better than the classroom setting. I’ve always felt quite self-conscious due to the significant age difference among us. When I looked over Lovis was talking to his dad his language is beautiful) when he got off the phone with his dad, I said to him, “If my best friend is here with us, he would defiantly speak in German with you. (my friend is part German)
While Gavin and I were snapping photos, I observed a couple building a snowman. They appeared joyful and were laughing together. The young woman noticed me and kindly asked if I’d like to take their picture. I replied, “That would be wonderful,” and captured several shots as she looked up and smiled at me. I expressed my gratitude by saying, “Thank you.”
I was surprised by the vastness of Central Park, which offered numerous interesting attractions along with a variety of food trucks. Upon reaching a particular corner, we encountered a man playing his saxophone, accompanied by music from the Madagascar soundtrack in the background. I couldn’t help but express to Gavi my fondness for those movies, especially the second one. I jokingly noticed that I felt like dancing like Alex the Lion, which made him laugh.
While enjoying the music, I noticed a young woman walking her dog; however, the dog chose to sit down and resisted her attempts to get him moving. I chuckled at this moment, imagining that the little dog was simply tired and wanted to take a break. As we paused together, it became clear that all four of us were beginning to feel hungry, the enticing aroma from nearby food carts was certainly stirring our appetites. Consequently, we decided to leave Central Park in search of a nice restaurant in the vicinity. Personally, I didn’t mind where we ended up eating; it had been quite some time since my last meal (the day before).
After walking for a few blocks, we arrived at Bella Blu, an elegant Italian restaurant. While everyone perused the menu, I absorbed the lively atmosphere surrounding me, which began to put me at ease. When the head waiter approached, he took our orders, and I noticed that each of us had chosen a different type of pizza. When he delivered the bread, which had a delightful aroma, I took a bite and found it to have a pleasantly soft texture. It might have been homemade, but it certainly tasted delicious.
As everyone else’s pizzas arrived, mine was the last to come out of the oven (I had ordered the vegan option). It seemed like the head waiter found my choice a bit unusual, but at that moment, I didn’t mind. When I saw my pizza being taken from the fire oven, I knew it was almost time to eat. The pizza finally arrived, and my hunger was intense. Although I allowed it to cool slightly, when I took my first bite, WOW—my taste buds were in ecstasy. It was incredibly delicious. As we all savored our pizzas, it was clear from everyone’s expressions that they were also enjoying their meals. While eating, we began discussing current and past events. I found myself opening more than usual; surprisingly, I felt neither fear nor embarrassment about sharing. Midway through lunch, Sarah shared details about her family heritage.
I was genuinely surprised; this information had never come up during history classes in high school or college. Unbeknownst to me, I was nearing the end of my pizza—I had lost track because it was so enjoyable. Once we finished eating, Lovis mentioned he would be attending a taping of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (I’m thrilled for him), but personally, I was looking forward to visiting the Empire State Building even more. So, Gavin, Sarah, and I hopped into an Uber to return to the hotel.
After several hours, I met up with my companions at the Edison Hotel, and we proceeded together to the Empire State Building. Sarah was occupied with determining which subway line would lead us there. While we waited, I took some photographs of the tunnel, which appeared quite different from its depictions in literature and films. A few minutes later, the appropriate subway train arrived. As we boarded, I noted how clean the car was; previously, I had seen images of cars covered in graffiti and littered seats. This time it seemed orderly and was filled with everyday working people. Despite hearing numerous alarming stories about the New York subway system, I felt neither fear nor anxiety. We engaged in casual conversation during our ride. As our stop neared, both stood up to indicate it was time to disembark. However, once we surfaced above ground, Sarah realized that we had missed our stop and promptly arranged for an Uber to take us to our desired location.
Upon reaching the Empire State Building at last, I was enthralled by its historical significance. This impressive 102-story skyscraper is situated in Midtown South Manhattan and was constructed between 1930 and 1931. Its name originates from “Empire State,” a nickname for New York state itself. The Empire State Building held the record for tallest building until the North Tower of the World Trade Center was finished in 1970; following the September 11 attacks in 2001, it regained its title as New York City’s tallest building until it was surpassed by One World Trade Center in 2012.
When we finally arrived on the 82nd floor, it was truly remarkable filled with historical exhibits about the museum, tools used in constructing the building, and information about its architect’s work on the project. I even came across a replica of King Kong’s arms within the building; behind it played a projection showing King Kong peering into the Empire State Building alongside scenes featuring biplanes from 1933 while gunfire could be heard directed at King Kong.
As we spent a few hours observing from the Empire State Building, the experience was truly awe-inspiring. Gazing down, I found it hard to fathom that nearly 24 million individuals inhabit five distinct areas of New York. I could easily visualize how the entire population of a small rural town like Port Angeles could fit into this structure. I must have captured numerous photographs on my phone, primarily at night, aiming to get the best shots possible. After witnessing this remarkable building, it’s difficult for me to comprehend the fear of constructing something that continues to stand so proudly today
After departing from the Empire State Building, we made our way to Jongro BBQ Market, known for its all-you-can-eat offerings. Although I adhere to a vegan diet, I’m confident there were alternative choices available. Upon our arrival at the venue, Sarah sent a text to Lovis to invite him to join us for dinner. The restaurant was bustling with activity, filled with patrons and a busy waitstaff attending to their needs.
When the waiter approached our table, he outlined the restaurant’s policy: ordering drinks triggers a 90-minute time limit for our meal. Therefore, we decided to wait a bit longer in hopes of Lovis joining us. Approximately ten minutes later, Lovis texted Sarah indicating that he would not be coming after all, so we proceeded to place our all-you-can-eat orders.
The meat arrived promptly. I enjoyed the corn and cheese and even sampled some noodles along with other dishes; they were quite tasty. When the waiter returned, Sarah ordered a potato cheese pancake. It didn’t take long for it to arrive either. I offered Gavi and Sarah a taste; she remarked that it was meant for me to enjoy. I smiled and thanked her before taking my first bite—I was immediately hooked! As I continued enjoying the other dishes, after finishing my third glass of water, Sarah made another drink order.
It is an alcoholic beverage made from apples; initially, I had my doubts. However, as she poured it into my glass, I took a small sip and found it quite enjoyable. We then raised our glasses for a toast, and I declared, “To a wonderful friendship.” Internally, I felt increasingly at ease and more open—something I had been lacking for quite some time. After we finished the bottle together, we all began to make our way back to the hotel. This evening was both fun and exhilarating; it had been a long time since I experienced anything like this.
Thursday was a significant day for me, as I had a tour arranged with SiriusXM radio, which I eagerly anticipated. I attempted to secure a spot with the New York Times, but that opportunity filled up quickly. Later in the evening, I planned to attend a game at Madison Square Garden featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs and NY Rangers, both of which are part of the original six teams.
My tour commenced at 2 PM, and I used the time beforehand to explore various workshops. There were a couple I was interested in attending; however, they coincided with the timing of my SiriusXM tour. During my exploration, I met some fellow students, including Joshua from Dayton, Ohio (University of Dayton), who were also attending SiriusXM. We engaged in conversation for quite a while. He expressed that he never imagined finding himself in such an environment; journalism wasn’t initially his goal until an English professor recruited him. In turn, I shared that I was encouraged by a librarian named Bonni. Additionally, I mentioned that I study at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Washington—a small rural community.
When it was time to proceed to SiriusXM, the walk there was relatively short. Once we arrived and completed our check-in at the front desk, we were divided into two groups since not everyone could fit into the elevator at once.
As soon as we arrived at the lobby, I noticed several celebrities in the waiting area. Although I couldn’t recall their names due to my amazement at being there, I was particularly struck when I spotted the Howard Stern section (known for his early days as a shock jock). Our tour guide, Adam, an assistant in recruitment, entered shortly after. He expressed a preference for gathering everyone into one large group rather than splitting us up and assured us he would return for the other group soon.
Upon his quick return, Adam began discussing SiriusXM while introducing himself and sharing a brief background: “Hello, my name is Adam. I am an assistant recruiting for new hires and internships. I’ve been with SiriusXM since 2018, starting as an intern. As you can see, this is the holding area where guests prepare to appear on shows like Howard Stern’s.” He pointed out that although Howard works remotely 90% of the time, he comes into the office when major guests are scheduled.
Adam explained that Sirius Satellite Radio launched in 1990 and was followed by XM Satellite Radio a few years later. In July 2008, XM and Sirius merged to form SiriusXM. “As you can see on the wall behind you,” he continued, “we now own Pandora.” Leading us down the hallway, he highlighted various studios; for instance, he pointed out a sports talk show studio where many athletes and high-profile coaches have visited. Looking through a window into one studio revealed live programming along with numerous athlete pictures adorning the walls.
Continuing our tour, Adam took us into another studio filled with disco balls and noted that it belonged to Andy Cohen—a significant draw for SiriusXM—especially since Howard will be stepping back in a couple of years. “Don’t quote me,” Adam said casually, “but Conan O’Brien might join SiriusXM soon; he’s visited before.”
Next, we were brought into a conference room where two additional people were expected to join us. Once seated together with them—though my recording malfunctioned so I missed their bios—I did catch one person’s name: Shakria (not to be confused with the famous singer). We engaged with our hosts during Q&A until time ran short and we headed back toward the main lobby.
Reflecting on whether I’d ever intern at such a place crossed my mind—certainly as one of the oldest interns! As we walked our separate ways afterward, Joshua approached me again; we chatted about how much we enjoyed our experience together. He inquired about my plans next and upon hearing I was going to a hockey game that evening at Madison Square Garden remarked that it sounded fun and wished me well. “I definitely will enjoy it,” I replied as we shook hands. “I wish you all the best too; savor every moment of this trip—it’s an unforgettable experience.” His smile indicated appreciation for my words. Arriving finally at my hotel, I planned to unwind briefly before heading over toward Madison Square Garden.
After I finally found some relaxation, I checked the time and realized it would take me approximately 20 minutes to reach Madison Square Garden (MSG), a venue steeped in history. I intend to walk to the arena, which opened its doors in 1968, making it the second oldest arena currently in operation—Climate Pledge Arena being the oldest. This MSG is actually the fourth venue to carry that name. The first two were inaugurated in 1879 and 1890, situated at Madison Square on East 26th Street and Madison Avenue, while the third MSG was established in 1925 further uptown at Eighth Avenue and 50th Street. The arena is named after James Madison, who served as the fourth president of the United States. The original MSG operated from 1879 to 1890, followed by the second location from 1890 until 1925. Annually, MSG hosts around 320 events ranging from sports competitions to concerts. Notably, this venue is distinguished as the last remaining arena without any corporate logos displayed on its exterior or within its premises. Over the years, it has featured significant musical performances from artists like Elvis Presley to Billy Joel, who has graced this stage an impressive 150 times.
When I eventually reached the arena, it took less time than I had expected. I spent some time strolling around to familiarize myself with the area. Upon noticing a security guard employed by MSG, I inquired, “What time does the arena open?” He replied, “In about an hour.” I thought to myself, another hour? Maybe I should have left later or taken my time walking here. After wandering a bit more in search of the iconic MSG sign, I was unable to find it. As I had been informed, the famous sign was removed during renovations a few years ago. However, I did come across the newer version of the sign.
As time passed, I made my way toward the entrance and managed to get through quickly since the game wasn’t set to begin until 7 PM. This is something I regret; had I known there were historical artifacts displayed along the walls of the arena, I would have taken more time to explore instead of sitting in my seat long before the game commenced.
While seated, I reflected on the New York Rangers—a professional hockey team established in 1926—known as one of the original six alongside teams like the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings (my hometown team), Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs. They were also the first American team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup in 1928. Looking around me, it struck me that this arena has hosted many championship games for both the NY Knicks (NBA) during decades such as the ’70s,’90s,’ and 2000s and for NY Rangers in 1972, 1994, and 2014; however, they only won the Stanley Cup in 1994 (at this MSG) after breaking a long drought that dated back to their last victory during the 1939-40 season at old MSG. As players began their warm-ups on ice, I could hear pucks being hit into the net.
As the warm-up concluded, players returned to their respective locker rooms. Approximately ten minutes later, both teams emerged (after the Zamboni had cleared the ice) and took their positions along the lines, awaiting the completion of the National Anthem performed by a singer representing both Canada and the United States. Once the referee dropped the puck, the Toronto Maple Leafs swiftly entered the NY Rangers’ zone and scored just 13 seconds into the game. Then, at 6:45, Will Cuylle scored his 14th goal with a tip-in, assisted by Braden Schneider, leveling the score. The crowd erupted in cheers when the Rangers found the net, singing along to a familiar chant displayed on the jumbotron: “Goal…Goal. Hey…hey hey..hey..hey hey.” The first period was action-packed as neither team yielded any ground. When it concluded, the score stood at 1-1. However, fans appeared less than optimistic due to their team’s disappointing performance this season; they have not secured a win in regulation since November 24, 2025.
As the match progressed, both teams exchanged goals, resulting in a tie of 2-2 by the end of the second period. I stood up and strolled around, noticing an interesting plaque near the entrance. It was a tribute to Dave DeBusschere, a former New York Knicks player, showcasing items from his championship season of 1972-73. Among them was a replica of one of his salary checks (which was quite substantial for that era), though I couldn’t decipher the details. After browsing through a few exhibits, I returned to my seat.
Moments later, the Rangers netted their third goal, eliciting an even louder response from the fans who began chanting “Let’s Go Rangers.” Shortly after the public address announcer recognized the player responsible for that goal, the Rangers scored again, taking the lead to 4-2. The excitement among the crowd surged; their enthusiasm reached an intensity level of 8 out of 10. A few minutes passed before another goal increased their advantage to 5-2 in the third period. With approximately three to four minutes remaining in the game, Toronto pulled their goalie. Just a minute later, several NY Ranger players broke away on a fast break and successfully shot into an empty net, finalizing the score at 6-2.
Afterward, I made my way out of the arena contemplating whether to take a cab or walk back in the dark. I decided on a quick walk instead. Once I was nearing my hotel, I stopped at a nearby pizzeria and ordered two slices of cheese pizza to go. Finally arriving at my room, I enjoyed my dinner for the evening.
When I awoke the following day, it struck me that this was our final day together as a group. Everyone would be departing tomorrow, and I intended to make the most of today. My emotions were somewhat unclear at this moment, but I recognized that everyone has their own lives to return to. I began packing my suitcase, even though my departure wasn’t until Sunday morning. Later in the day, I had a critique session scheduled, so when it was time, I made my way downstairs.
I met Karen Fioretti from the University of Texas at Dallas. She reviewed the Buccaneer website along with several articles I had written. She particularly enjoyed my first article but noted one suggestion: it should have been labeled as an Opinion piece at the top; overall, she considered it an excellent article. Moving on to the website itself, she pointed out that it requires significant revisions and adjustments in various areas. As I sat there jotting down ideas, I began to understand her perspective and hoped to implement changes to improve the Buccaneer webpage.
After our discussion concluded, Bonni joined us at the table, and we decided to take a stroll around. We heard that Rich was presenting something interesting, so we quietly slipped into his seminar (On the Hunt at the RNC & DNC ’26 conventions). Rich’s presentation captivated me; he shared incredible stories from his life and displayed numerous striking images of presidential candidates from both parties. He even recounted some frightening experiences he encountered during protests.
As I glanced around the room, it was clear that every student was engaged—some focused intently on the video screen while others posed questions. Immersed in this experience myself, I felt truly fortunate to be part of it all. The realization that this was our last night together brought about feelings of sadness; however, this journey has been an incredible adventure filled with valuable insights. Initially uncertain about what lay ahead, by the end of the first day, my perspective had broadened significantly.
When I finally wrapped up my day, I returned to my room, freshened up, and prepared for dinner later that evening. While exploring nearby, I discovered a restaurant called Carnegie, which was conveniently located not far from our hotel. After receiving a message from Bonni asking me to meet her at the Edison Hotel, I made my way there. We were waiting for Sarah and Lovis when I noticed Rich was absent. I inquired, “Is Rich joining us?” to which Bonni replied, “No, he wasn’t feeling well.” I completely understood.
As we received a message from Sarah indicating she would be late, we decided to head out and inform her of our location. Since I was familiar with the area, I took the lead. However, when I approached the entrance and tried to open the door, it turned out to be locked; thankfully, there was another door right next to it. The layout of this establishment was quite unusual—it had an elevator that didn’t immediately respond when Bonni pressed the button. After a few moments of waiting, it finally started moving. We all shared a laugh about it.
Upon reaching the second floor, we were greeted by a bright and vibrant atmosphere filled with fascinating artwork featuring various baseball players and rock legends like David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix. Shortly after arriving, Sarah informed us she was almost there and that Lovis would be joining as well. Moments later, Rich arrived too, and I felt excited that our entire group had gathered for dinner together that night.
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When the food eventually arrived, I ordered an Impossible Burger along with fries and a salad. I must have been quite hungry that day, as I devoured it rapidly. The staff at this place were exceptional; we spent time chatting while I absorbed everything around me. It was a pleasure to connect with each of them, allowing them to see beyond my school persona. Although I can be shy at times, I found myself opening up more during our conversations. As the day came to a close, Gavin, Sarah, Lovis, and I made our way towards Times Square for one last time together. I’m truly thankful for this experience and wish I had expressed my gratitude more openly. Every moment of this journey was enjoyable, and getting to know each of them was invaluable. They will always hold a special place in my memories, and I hope to stay in touch; however, if that’s not possible, I completely understand. Thank you all; I sincerely appreciate this amazing adventure.
