Welcome! A Brief Introduction

(Professional headshot from 2007 high
school production of "Into the Woods")

Hello and welcome to my virtual blog portfolio! My name is Lisa Symone Henderson and I am currently enrolled as a full-time Freshman student at Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. My major is Communication along the Television/Radio track.

The purpose of this portfolio is to display my skills, talents, and all that I can bring to the business of Mass Media. I am a talented singer, actress and creative writer. I have big dreams of becoming a news anchor and/or radio personality and hope to graduate from Rider University so that I can move on to pursue those dreams.

Here you will find a link to my resume, which highlights my major accomplishments throughout the past few years, revealing my eligibility and strengths that I could bring to any company. Also, a link to a paper that I wrote entitled "The Many Appeals of a Wondrous Life" can be found here. This paper, which focuses on Junot Diaz's bestselling novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, was one of a few that was chosen to be read to Junot Diaz himself on November 19th, 2008 as a part of Rider University's Distinguished Writers program. This is one of many works in which I have been able to express my creative side.

I hope that you will get to know me better through this blog and take note of my goals and motives.

All About Lisa

Photo from 2007 Ocean Township
High School Production of Into the Woods
(seated in pink dress in the center)



Growing up I always knew that I was born to stand out. I feel that my mother is a huge reason why I matured and acquired the personality traits that I did; she was always pushing me to try new things, and always supported me whether I was able to succeed or not.

At a young age I expressed my talents and interest in singing. I sang for many years with the Monmouth Conservatory of Music and took lessons under a woman by the name of Jody Joseph. I sang with my school and church choirs and in musicals in Intermediate school.

Acting came just as naturally. I played generous parts in plays and musicals all throughout middle school and high school. I was captain of my middle school's Forensics team and won many 1st Place awards in Forensics competitions in the area of storytelling.

My senior year of high school brought around one of my proudest moments. My school's drama club put on a production of "The Laramie Project," the story of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepherd - a young man who was targeted simply because he was gay. I played the role of Shepherd's best friend, Romaine Patterson. I was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama by the Count Basie Theatre Awards Committee and received the award at their annual award show.

Currently, I am the co-host of a new radio show on Rider University's own 107.7 WRRC The Bronc. I am having an amazing time with this new show and hope to continue working with the radio station throughout my entire college career.

I know that the field of Mass Media is my calling and hope to be able to display my talents for the world to see for the rest of my life.

My Professional Side

Below: My portrayal of "Romaine Patterson" in Ocean Township High School's 2007 production of The Laramie Project

Right: May 1st, 2008 - Me accepting a Count Basie Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for my role in The Laramie Project. A slideshow of additional photos from the performances can be viewed here.

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As previously stated, I made it a point all throughout grade school to stay involved with some of the things that mattered the most to me. Included in that list of priorities was singing, acting, and public speaking.

My sophomore year of high school I auditioned for and was accepted into the All Shore Chorus, which was an honor because it was only for the best singers from high schools throughout the jersey shore area. We practiced both classical and modern styles.

Junior year I was presented with an extensive role in my high school's production of Into The Woods in which I portrayed "Florinda", one of the wicked step-sisters to "Cinderella". I was challenged to sing many harmonies with my partner, the other step-sister "Lucinda". This part was very crucial in furthering my experience with singing and acting. It was a huge part of my decision to move into the Communication field because it helped me to realize that speaking and performing was my forte.

My role in our 2007 production of The Laramie Project was even more influential over my chosen path of study. With our incredible turnout our school's drama club was able to raise over $10,000 that was donated to The Center in Asbury Park, NJ (an HIV/AIDS response organization) and to the Matthew Shepherd Foundation. I've talked so much about it because it is quite possibly my fondest memory of high school and performing. Once I accepted the count basie award in May I knew that I was meant to use my voice in any way possible.

My most recent experience with mine and my classmate Destyne Pitts' radio show has opened my eyes to an additional medium that I am interested in. I am actually beginning to lean toward radio as a possible career choice. I have never felt as comfortable with public entertainment as I do with our radio show and I hope to gain more much experience within the radio field.

I am hoping that 2009 will bring great things for me and more exploration into my professional side.

Let The Beat Drop!

I am so excited that you are interested in my work within the Communication field. I have already begun my journey, starting with the radio track!

Every Wednesday evening at 5 o’clock PM I serve as a co-host/disc jockey with classmate Destyne Pitts on our new radio show, “The Beat Drop,” airing on Rider University’s own 107.7 WRRC The Bronc. On the show, we feature hip hop music (& some other genres), album reviews and information for your everyday lives. We even feature an “old school” segment, during which we highlight a few hip hop or R&B chart-toppers from the 90s.

The first show was broadcasted on Wednesday, November 5th, 2008. On this edition of the show we discussed the previous night’s presidential election results, the date, time and location of a few University sporting events and reviewed the upcoming album from recording artist, Brandy. The show reached many ears as it was broadcasted within Daly’s cafeteria and Cranberry’s restaurant on campus as well as the Hamilton area.

This week’s show we will be chatting with two Rider University Students, Shameer Horton and Guy Wood. These two young men will be discussing plans for the successes of their respective clothing lines; Aztro and 5001 Clothing.

I hope that you will tune in sometime in the near future, and enjoy!