Heather Dinwiddie
One thing I learned quickly is that Heather Dinwiddie is a very interesting girl who has a passion for print journalism.
Dinwiddie realized she liked to write her sophomore year in high school when she worked for a literary magazine and newspaper for one year, later she became editor.
This summer Dinwiddie worked at the “Henderson Daily Dispatch” where she wrote articles and was a typist. At this job she got an opportunity to learn from reporters about print journalism. Dinwiddie wants a career as a journalist because she likes learning about people’s lives and telling other people about them through writing. She said, “I was at one time thinking of being a movie critic but [I’m] still not sure about that particular job.”
Dinwiddie is 19 years old and from Henderson, NC. She has an older brother who is 22 who plans on getting an associate’s degree in Computer Science. Dinwiddie’s father lives in Hawaii with her step-mother. He is a former mechanic who now manages storage at an art gallery. He is thinking about going back to being an auto mechanic and managing his own shop.
Dinwiddie originally wanted to go to UNC but did not get in so she chose ECU because she saw that they had a good journalism school. She majors in Communications with a concentration in Print Journalism and minors in English. She chose this major because she likes to learn more about people. Also, she thinks English is interesting and she likes to read people’s thoughts. In her Native American Literature class she likes when the class discusses the readings because she likes to hear the feedback and knowing what others think.
This semester her Monday’s are hectic because she is not done until 9:30 at night. Dinwiddie is taking Basic Reporting, Political Science, French III, Native American Literature, and Oceanography, which she says is very boring. In her free time she likes to listen to music, go to the movies, and spend time with family and friends. Her goal for the semester is to do well. She said she had a hard time adjusting last year because she ha never really been away from home without a family member and it was hard getting used to doing stuff by herself.
Dinwiddie’s role model is her mom because she has done a lot for her and her brother. She is always trying to make sure they’re ok and gives them advice about life. As Dinwiddie puts it, her mom is always there for them.
When she graduates from ECU Dinwiddie plans on moving to Raleigh to write for the “Raleigh News and Observer”. She wanted to stay close to home but also wanted to have an opportunity to work in the city because there’s more to do and see there.
Anne Thompson, Dinwiddie’s mother, said that in the beginning it was difficult having Heather as a student because she has ADD. Heather had to study harder to get her grades. Now, Thompson says Dinwiddie has exceeded her expectations as far as school goes.
Thompson says that when Dinwiddie was younger she wanted to be a police woman and she always had goals. And she is beginning to see that Dinwiddie is becoming more outspoken.
The advice Thompson gives Dinwiddie about life is to believe in herself and not be negative. She tells her not to worry about tomorrow.
Dinwiddie has a boyfriend of 5 years named Thomas Keene. He is 19 years old and goes to NC State studying Construction Engineering & Management. They met in middle school through a friend. He is from Grundy, VA but later moved to Henderson. He is the youngest of three.
Keene says that he was attracted to Heather because she is a beautiful intelligent girl who he’s always been able to communicate him with on an intellectual level and she’s funny.
“The quality I that like most about Heather is the fact that she doesn’t sacrifice her beliefs for any reason. She has always stuck to her beliefs no matter what,” said Keene.
Keene also goes to Dinwiddie when he needs to talk. “She has always had helpful and encouraging words to help not only me but others through tough situations,” said Keene.
“I hope to writer for the News and Observer in Raleigh. I know that may not sound like much but it will not bother me if I don’t have a celebrity, flashy kind of life, that would be nice but I don’t like that much attention,” says Dinwiddie. With a strong support system behind her Dinwiddie is sure to accomplish her goals.
Filed under: Classmate Profiles