Jennifer Van Burkleo - UNREGISTERED VERSION

From Wichita to Tulsa-Jennifer Van Burkleo
Original Post

Sep 11, 2013

Citystreets brings you a Question and Answer segment with former Wichita State Shocker and Tulsa Media personality JenniferVan Burkleo
    

1.You are originally from Wichita Kansas, what are some of the fondest memories you have growing up in the community?
Well I am a Shocker through and through, so I have immense pride in our university. Memories include going to Carousel skating rink and Joy land as a kid, River fest, watching Northwest High School (my school) play Bishop Carroll (our biggest rival), Keeper of the Plains (at night, when the fire lights up), Exploration Place, The drive-in (I will forever have that number memorized), Nu-Way, Bella Luna, Lucinda’s. I really love the downtown Warren, the local music, Rocky Horror at the Orpheum, and Cow town. The list could go on.

2.Where did your ambition to be involved in the media and fashion world originate?
I was really into modeling in high school, I was signed with an agency and traveled a bit and thought I wanted to be a fashion designer. I took a Fashion Merchandising class, won a few awards. Then I joined Youth Entrepreneurs of Kansas where I entered in a business plan competition. My company was custom clothes tailored towards tall women. I don’t think I was confident enough in my sewing abilities to pursue a career in fashion. I then went to college thinking I wanted to be a homicide investigator. Pretty radical change, huh? Growing up around boys and my mom was in the Army, I thought that was what I wanted to do. Then after receiving a degree in Criminal Justice, emphasizing in Police Science, I realized I had to be a police officer and work my way up which would take years. I don’t think police officers get enough credit for what they do and the pay is lousy. Plus you get one bad cop in the mix and the reputation of the force is ruined. So I took some online career test that suggested broadcast. I went to Wichita State and studied broadcast journalism, which I loved! I interned at KAKE, wrote for the newspaper at WSU, and reported/anchored WSU’s newscast.

3.If you had to pick one profession, either modeling or in the media, which would it be and why?
Media for sure. I do love getting pampered in hair and make-up and having photos taken and walking down the runway. However I believe many models, the ones you see in high-fashion magazines, portray a poor image of what a woman should look like. To be so thin and frail encourages women and teens to focus on how thin they are over their education. I think women should learn to rely on their minds, not their bodies. Beauty fades and it is such a cut throat industry. There will always be someone younger, prettier, and willing to show more for less. So now I model for fun I don’t rely on it as a career, nor do I stress about my weight. I love my career in the media, I learn hard hitting news first and I am on camera. So I am able utilize my modeling experience and my degree.

4.Being that you are a part of the LGBT community, have you experienced any difficulties or back lash in either of your career fields of choice?
In modeling no, except the occasional ladies who are curious on my sexuality because I am so “femme”. But in the media, yes! People are always curious and ask questions but every now and again I get coworkers who are small minded. They always want to voice their opinion and try to battle my beliefs, as if that would change anything. I have lost friends because they don’t share the same beliefs that equality should be across the board for all people. There should be no exceptions. I was voted onto the Board of Directors for Oklahomans for Equality, and that seemed to spark some attention both ways. One co-worker was fired for harassing me so much on “my kind” and throwing every derogatory name out there. Oddly enough fellow coworkers turned him in after I broke down and cried at work because of something he said. Living in a Republican state and in the Bible belt definitely has its challenges being heavily involved in the LGBT community.

5.What would be the biggest piece of advice you would give to someone struggling to make the decision to let his or her preferences be known to the world?
I think all people should understand that love is love. A straight man does not wake up in the morning and wonder if he is attracted to a man or woman. Neither do people who are gay. Bisexuals are not confused, which is a popular misconception. They have the ability to see people for who they are, regardless of gender. I have many friends who are transgendered as well who are great people. They all deserve to love freely.
It is hard enough to find love, how will you do it if you are not true to yourself? Would you rather be liked for someone you’re not over having people love you and accept you for who you are? At the end of the day you have to live with yourself. Plus, you are not alone. You never know who is looking up to you. People have preconceived idea on what an LGBT person looks like. We can change those perception and views and break those stereotypes.

6.What is the one thing that you miss most about living in the city of Wichita?
Besides friends and family, I miss taking my dog on a jog around Keeper of the Plains, then going to Bella Luna and pigging out. A close second would be ordering an adult cherry limeade at the Downtown Warren and stretching out my legs in those spacious chairs!

7.In terms of culture, define Tulsa Oklahoma.
Tulsa is big on supporting local businesses, music, photographers, farmers, etc. Tulsa is like a laid back, hippie version of Wichita. People are also very health conscious, I feel like there is a 5k almost every weekend. People are eclectic and there are so many free things to do here so one is easily entertained for next to nothing. Plus, there are many music festivals, venues, local eateries and pubs.

8.As you have progressed into your career, how valuable has education been for you?
I have been called an education snob. Maybe I am biased. I feel education is everything. It is difficult enough to get a job, much less if you are competing against a guy who has more education than you do. I know my education was the beginning to the foundation on which my career was built upon. I would have never landed that internship, wrote for the paper or report for the college’s newscast if I wasn’t attending college. It was my degree and those experiences that led me to my first job. It has just gone uphill since then. Besides what is a better investment than investing in yourself and setting yourself up to succeed throughout your life? Work smarter, not harder is a good motto for this.

9.When it comes to movies and music, what movies are you watching and what artist are you listening to?
Right now on my Pandora I have The Civil Wars, Grace Potter, Adele, Pixies, Tegan and Sara, Miranda Lambert, Bassnectar, Ellie Goulding, Sia, Lana Del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, The Ting Tings, The Veronicas, Sublime, Nirvana, Skrillex, Lil Wayne, and Alanis Morissette. My taste in music is very diverse. Right now I really dig this local artist, Eric Himan. In Wichita I loved listening to locals Jenny Wood, and Kayla & Gustavo.
I just watched the Great Gatsby and loved it. I also like Silver Lining’s Playbook. I love Crash. Classics of mine are Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Drop Dead Fred and Sixteen Candles.

10.One quote that defines Jennifer Van Burkleo:
The quote that I live by:
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” –Apple’s 1997 ‘Think Different’ campaign.