Sharing stories through ‘Walk and Talk’

By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger

IOWA CITY — Junior Abby Tierney offers a glimpse into the Regina Catholic Education Center community through “Walk and Talk,” a series of 90-second video interviews posted on the school’s Facebook and Instagram pages. With Communications Director Jaecee Hall walking backwards behind the camera lens, Abby highlights the lives — and humor — of students, staff and teachers. “They each have such a huge story and I love being able to share their story, even if just for a short period of time,” Abby said.

Abby records the one-on-one interviews while walking through the school. She asks interviewees about their experiences at Regina, tossing in a few fun and humorous questions along the way. In a few of the videos, she asks students, “Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?” Sophomore Tate Wallace said he’d prefer a one-on-one fight, whereas senior Lincoln Dardis said he’d opt to fight smaller, more numerous foes.

Abby, a member of St. Thomas More Parish in Coralville, is Regina’s first activities-media intern. She hopes to work in media marketing and brand management someday, so when she had an opportunity to apply for Regina’s new internship program last year, “I jumped at the chance to gain experience in my own school.” She appreciates the opportunity to work closely with the school’s communications team on ways to showcase Regina. The team consists of Angela Olson, head of school; Katie Melloy, director of marketing and enrollment; Jen Hoeger, special events coordinator; and Hall.

Abby started her internship in the fall, creating Instagram graphics and highlight reels before football games. Later, she worked on a video for Discover Regina Night. Hall said the idea to host Walk and Talk came up during a communications team brainstorming session in December. The team felt Abby would be a natural fit due to her ability to connect with people. Hall said Abby “draws the authenticity out of each person within their Walk and Talks.”

Abby was a little nervous at first but trusted the team’s vision. “Quickly, the nerves turned into excitement to showcase the people who make Regina such a special place to be and, ever since, it has been a lot of fun,” Abby said.

The first 90-second episode went live Dec. 5. At first, it was difficult to get participants, Abby recalled. “Now that this has become something people know and recognize, I have people asking me to be featured on it.”

Abby says she enjoys learning about what makes every interviewee unique. In one episode, lunchroom cashier Jim Seamans discussed his time in the Navy, his post-military medical career and how he ended up at Regina after retirement. “I saw an ad and thought, well, might as well,” he told Abby, noting that the one-year commitment transformed into something more. “I was having fun and I enjoy the kids and the people I work with,” he said. He thought he would stay until the kindergartners from his first year graduated. “I’m still here, and it’s my 20th year.”

Abby takes a relaxed approach in the videos so the conversations feel authentic, though her feet don’t always get the memo. One piece of feedback Abby has taken to heart is “not to walk so fast, especially when interviewing non-students,” she said with a laugh.

Hall believes the Regina community benefits from the Walk and Talks “because we are able to share our mission: preparing tomorrow’s leaders through a comprehensive educational experience focused on excellence and anchored in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.”

Abby isn’t sure about the future plans for Walk and Talk after this school year. She urges those who are following along on social media to “stay tuned to find out!”