Sam Bowlby



Projects by Sam Bowlby

Journalism Story

From Tragedy to Triumph: Musician Conquers the Stage

By Devon Proscia, Benjamin Cowles and Sam Bowlby

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (April 3, 2025)

Music had always been part of Claire Carpenter’s life, but it wasn’t until after her accident that she realized just how much it meant to her. A traumatic ATV crash caused severe fractures, nerve damage, and chronic pain, making physical activities difficult. Running, jumping, even standing for extended periods—things she once took for granted—became daily struggles. But rather than let the injury define her, Carpenter turned to something that had always brought her joy—performing.

Claire Carpenter preforms with her band, OPAL, at the Bluebird on March 5, 2025. Carpenter’s energy infects the crowd, despite her lingering leg injury.

“I love music, and I love performing,” Carpenter said.  “It’s my favorite thing to do. I’m happiest when I’m performing. Singing is a great way to work through my traumas and emotions.”

She wasn’t ready to give up on being on stage, even if it meant adapting. At Indiana University, she connected with guitarist Ahnay Hering through mutual friends who shared their love for music. What started as casual jam sessions quickly evolved into something more. With the addition of a bassist and drummer, OPAL was born. The group found its sound through late-night rehearsals in cramped practice spaces, experimenting with melodies and lyrics that reflected their personal struggles and triumphs. Before long, they were booking gigs at house shows and local venues, earning a loyal following and a reputation for delivering raw, emotionally charged performances.

Claire Carpenter, Ahnay Hering, and Fran Stemme all lean into their microphone at a women’s march event in the IU Fine Arts Plaza, March 9, 2025. Carpenter acts as the lead vocalist, preforming despite a debilitating leg injury.

The band’s music blends indie rock with alt-pop influences, featuring soaring vocals, moody guitar riffs, and deeply personal lyrics. Their songs explore themes of resilience, transformation, and the weight of past experiences, resonating with audiences who see their own struggles reflected in the music. Carpenter’s voice, raw and emotionally charged, serves as the heart of the band, pulling listeners in with every note. Her ability to channel pain into something beautiful has become one of OPAL’s defining characteristics, creating a connection with fans that extends far beyond the stage.

Hering has watched Carpenter’s journey up close. “Seeing her adapt to that and work her way around it or sometimes just fight through it is really inspirational,” said Hering

Despite her love for the stage, performing isn’t easy. Carpenter’s injury means that standing for long periods is grueling, and even short sets require careful planning. She often leans against amplifiers between songs, subtly shifting her weight to relieve pressure. Sometimes, she has to sit for acoustic numbers, a decision that frustrates her but keeps her going. Even walking onto the stage can be an exhausting effort, but the moment the first chords ring out, the discomfort fades into the background.

Carpenter realized that music gave her the same rush as her former passion, cross-country running. The discipline, the adrenaline, and pushing herself beyond her limits—it was all still there. When she steps on stage, the pain fades into the background, and her love for the art takes center stage.

“When I’m performing, I don’t necessarily notice the pain,” said Carpenter.

During OPAL’s performance at The Bluebird, Carpenter knew she was pushing her limits, but stopping wasn’t an option. The music surged around her, and with every lyric, she poured her struggle into the sound, funneling her emotions out toward the crowd. The flashing stage lights, the hum of amplifiers, and the pulse of the bass created an electric atmosphere that made every moment on stage worth it.

The audience moved in sync with the music, drawn in by the band’s infectious energy. Some swayed with closed eyes, letting the lyrics wash over them, while others cheered between songs, hanging onto every word Carpenter sang. Each performance was more than just a set—it was a testament to resilience, to pushing through pain for the love of something greater. Every note was a declaration that she wasn’t backing down, and every song was proof that she could still take up space on stage, on her own terms.

As OPAL’s reputation grows, so do their ambitions. The band has been writing original songs, experimenting with their sound, and dreaming about their next steps. With growing recognition in the local scene, they hope to record their first EP and tour beyond Indiana. For Carpenter, the goal is simple: keep performing, no matter what. There’s always going to be pain, but that doesn’t mean you stop. You just have to learn a new way to move.

Her journey is one of transformation—of redefining what it means to be a performer and a fighter. And as long as there’s a stage, Claire Carpenter will find a way to conquer it.

https://youtu.be/QBbOGN7dZBQ?si=AKipw9nP4eGsE5qn

Public Relations Story

Apple, the Last Watch You Will Ever Need

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts

Olivia Glasgow
Sam Bowlby
Wilson Godfrey

CUPERTINO, California (Sept. 9, 2014) – The Apple Watch is the first ever phone on your wrist. CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, introduced their new product on Thursday at De Anza College. “It is something functional, yet incredibly beautiful, it empowers people and enriches their lives. Apple Watch is the most personal device Apple has ever created,” Cook said. The device has several features that have never been seen before, such as a highly customizable interface, advanced fitness tracking, and an exceptionally durable design that is sure to last several years. Cook presented the many features of the Apple Watch to thunderous applause as many were excited to see Apple’s new product.

Apple describes the Apple Watch as one of the most personalized products to date. The clock, for example, has many different faces that can be customized and switched between. You can have a jellyfish swimming across your screen or see the solar system and their exact positions in real-time with the Astronomy face. Along with the time, there is other simple yet essential information, such as the weather, moon phases, and temperature, that can be customized as well.

The most revolutionary design feature of the Apple Watch is the Digital Crown. Not only does it keep the screen visible and clean, but it also makes zooming in and out, as well as precise adjustments, easy and clean. It also acts as the home button. Because of this, communication is easier than ever before. Quick board analyzes messages and provides fast messages you might want to send back. With Digital Touch, you can send personalized messages to another person, even your own heartbeat.

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Professional Triathlete Caleb Royster uses the new Apple Watch to track his lap times. This displays one of the many functionalities of the Watch.

Apple Watch comes with several unique features that separate it from other products. The Watch provides haptic feedback, meaning you will be notified of anything on your watch via vibrations. It can also sense force, meaning it can differentiate between a tap and a press. A simple lift of the wrist and the watch can sense that you need to look at it, and just a swipe is all that is needed to navigate around the interface. It is also synchronized with the global time standard and accurate within a plus or minus 50-millisecond range.

“We think it’s going to help a lot of people live a better day and a healthier life,” Director of Health and Fitness Jay Blahnik talks about the Apple Watch’s new health-based apps, Fitness and Workout. Fitness provides three rings that you can complete and earn personal awards. The move ring tracks the calories burnt, the exercise ring tracks the amount of brisk activity, and the stand ring tells you when you should get up and move around. The Workout app can help keep track of specific exercises and more precise details, such as how far, fast, and long you have been doing an exercise.  Other health-based features of the Apple Watch include an accelerometer to measure total body movement, a sensor that tracks heart rate, and the watch uses GPS and Wi-Fi from your phone to record how far you have moved.

Apple Watch is made to be durable and comfortable for the user. With a flexible retina display laminated to a single crystal of sapphire, the watch is guaranteed to last through the harshest of summers to the coldest of winters. It also comes with 6 different band types that fit anyone’s liking.

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Student at Indiana University, Issac Bright, tracks his calories and steps while playing basketball. The Apple Watch is where performance meets technology.

Upon release, there will be three different watch collections: the Apple Watch, the Sports Watch, and the Edition Watch, each in sizes of 38mm (about 1.5 in) and 42mm (about 1.65 in). The Apple Watch is a polished case made from a custom alloy of stainless steel, the Sports Watch is a light and durable ion-exchange cover glass, and the Edition Watch is made of 18-karat gold.

Apple was proud and excited to release its revolutionary project to the world in early 2015, with over 200 million people able to access it. It will be sold for $349, and will be compatible with the iPhone 6, the iPhone 6 Plus, the iPhone 5, the iPhone 5c, and the iPhone 5s.

CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, builds suspense as he reveals Apple’s new digital watch. Vice president of technology at Apple Inc., Kevin Lynch, gives a demo of the Apple Watch, displaying its functionality. 

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