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Web & Social Media
Warrior Social Media Manager
@uhswarrior on Instagram
I've been running the @uhswarrior page since the beginning of my sophomore year. If you've already seen the Audience Engagement & Marketing page, you know that my biggest project is my Photo of the Day series. For more information on the @uhswarrior page and Photo of the Day, visit the Audience Engagement & Marketing page!
Watching this page grow to the size it is now has been absolutely amazing. While most of that growth is from Photo of the Day, I love getting the opportunity to post things like our field trips, awards, and milestone moments. It's a great way to post reminders and resources for students and parents as well.
You can check out some of my posts below and on the Audience Engagement & Marketing page and Social Media Design page!
Making posts like these (of our trip to the Jostens Spring Premiere and our last night at MIPA) are great because they let people know about all of the work that goes into our publications before the year even starts and outside of the classroom.
Published on @uhswarrior
We can't forget the milestone moments like submitting the yearbook and reminding people to come pick them up when they arrive (and "NO COMPLAINTS" - Smale, adviser).
Published on @uhswarrior
And here's a special post that I made last year giving everyone a throwback to Comp Day in the beginning of the year. The post congratulated seniors on their last day and gave everyone a sense of nostalgia, bringing back the energy we all had that day.
Published on @uhswarrior
Arrow News Contributor
@uhs_arrow on Instagram
While I am not the social media manager of the Arrow newspaper, I began to contribute more this year than years past. Usually my posts just include photos, but I've begun to get more creative with carousels and such.
This page has less of a following than @uhswarrior, but my hope is to help grow it by posting more and tagging people to get the word out.
You can check out some of my posts below and on the Audience Engagement & Marketing page and Social Media Design page!
Here's a little humble bragging with this Instagram carousel of graphics showing all 76 of the MIPA awards our publications won in 2023. While the only ones you see above feature yearbook, click on the first photo to be taken to the post where you can see the full post.
Published on @uhs_arrow
What beats just one photo? Obviously an Instagram carousel of over a dozen photos to recognize our undefeated team. Carousels are such an interactive way of posting photos, and you can post more than what Instagram usually limits you to.
Published on @uhs_arrow
From left to right, you can see posts about our newly-founded esports team, football game aginst rival Eisenhower, and back-to-back MAC White cheer champs. It's important to let everyone know what's going on in the school even if it isn't a complex post like the one above. It's important to keep people informed and even give more information like qoutes from the event.
Published on @uhs_arrow
UCS Students Representative
At the end of my sophomore year, I was invited by Utica Community School's Public Relations Coordinator to work on a student-run Instagram page run by students for students. I was one of eight original students selected, out of the over 7,500 high school students in the district, by the recommendation of my principal for my work in journalism and with her Photo of the Day series.
This was just another platform for me to demonstrate journalism to show what Utica High School was all about, from the homecoming competition assembly to the senior picnic at the end of the year. Posts varied from a single promotional graphic, like my charity week post, to a video and photo gallery of our Dodge, Duck, and Dive dodgeball tournament.
But I didn't only post about Utica High. I also made posts representing other schools in the district, like my Henry Ford II and Utica Spartan award post and a Bandarama post (of all four high schools in the district) in 2022 and 2023,
I've linked below my posts over the years and, of course, all photos and video by me. Click the photo to view the post!
These 3 posts are some of my favorite video posts I've made over the years. The top shows the marching band snaking the halls, leading the seniors out to the senior picnic on their final day of high school. While I did have to shorten the video, some of the seniors got so excited to see the camera and goof around. It really captured how they felt leaving for the last time.
On the bottom left is a wonderful video of Mr. Hines getting pied in the face for Toys for Tots. It really showcases our community and it's pretty good for a laugh too.
On the bottom right, we have a video of the Dodge, Duck, and Dive dodgeball tournament. This was my first video post (hence the shaky camerawork) and the first video post on the account ever. It's a great way to diversify the content and reach more audiences.
And, of course, I had to throw a little sports in here. I love recognizing milestone moments, like Mason Brodi's 1000th point (and our undefeated basketball team) or out football team making playoffs.
A collection of my work wouldn't be complete without some performing arts.
On top, we have a post from Bandarama. I was already there taking photos for Utica, so I figured it would be a good chance to post all high schools. While I represent Utica High specifically, I also want to acknowledge the cool parts from all schools, as the account is for their entire district.
Below that, you can see my Thespian Festival post. What I love about this one is all of the information in the caption. I give an overview of all of the thespies we won and who won what in each category. I am so grateful to be a member of Troupe #4260 and to be able to take some incredible photos to post.
Jennifer Swanchara, Public Relations Coordinator for Utica Community Schools
“I have worked closely with Natalie Garwood as a contributor to the Utica Community Schools student-led Instagram account and regard her as an instrumental member of our group. Natalie stands out for her strong work ethic, service and commitment to excellence. As a founding member of the group, Natalie is a positive role model for younger members who is responsible and takes pride in her work. I looked to Natalie to manage posting to the Instagram account while I was out for three weeks, and she did so with a sense of honor and humility."
Robert Monroe, Utica Community Schools Superintendent
“The UCS Students Instagram account provides our community with a district-wide, student-led look into life as a high school student in Michigan’s second largest school district. As a UCS Student contributor, Natalie is committed to creatively showcasing Utica High School and all the great academic, artistic, and athletic efforts our students put forth. Natalie’s work showcases her creative eye and the pride she has in her school.”
Kara Boice, sophomore at Utica High School
"On the UCS Student Instagram, Natalie Garwood represents Utica as a whole. She includes so many things goig on in the school including sports, clubs, student life, and so much more. She is dedicated to diverse posts, representing all kinds of communities and people even outside of just Utica High."