Well, it’s the first day of orientation for the Chips Quinn Scholars Program. I can’t help but say how intrigued I am. My mentors Erica Pippins and Nia Hightower, who are Chips alums, have told me many great things about the program. It’s one thing to hear great things, but to have the experience yourself is even better. Once again, this is the first day and I feel as if I have been inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame or something. I know this sounds funny, or maybe it doesn’t, but I’m just glad to be a Chipster. This experience is firing up my passion to be a reporter. I’m so thankful to be here. This is a dream come true for me. Thanks to the Chips Quinn Scholars Program for starting an unforgettable experience off right. Oh, I forgot to mention, I love the family atmosphere that is offered.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Technology and the First Amendment
My first day at Chips Quinn orientation was deja vu of two important themes that have been drilled in my head since I started journalism school at the University of Southern California.
First was multimedia journalism. I noticed that several other Scholars also said they wanted to gain more multimedia experience during their internships. Professors at my school have foretold, warned and downright threatened us that the "the times they are a changin' " in journalism. The future is moving toward multimedia and, if we wanted to have a future, we better get on board or sink like a stone, they say. From the sound of it, computer illiteracy is synonymous with death, so I hope to learn Web journalism as well as print.
Another theme dealt with journalism's past: the First Amendment. We were told that some time during the weekend we even would have to recite it. A video was shown about the Newseum that stressed the importance of the First Amendment to a democratic society. This mirrored lectures at USC about the history of journalism in America. The lectures also declared that in order to remain a free and informed society we must have freedom of speech.
Multimedia and the First Amendment tie together nicely because they represent the old and the new. They represent our roots in freedom of speech and a modern explosion of technology that helps us express our freedom. It still remains to be seen whether this modern technology will stifle freedom of speech or expand it. But the First Amendment and technology are important issues, and I was glad to hear them mentioned on my first day of orientation.
First was multimedia journalism. I noticed that several other Scholars also said they wanted to gain more multimedia experience during their internships. Professors at my school have foretold, warned and downright threatened us that the "the times they are a changin' " in journalism. The future is moving toward multimedia and, if we wanted to have a future, we better get on board or sink like a stone, they say. From the sound of it, computer illiteracy is synonymous with death, so I hope to learn Web journalism as well as print.
Another theme dealt with journalism's past: the First Amendment. We were told that some time during the weekend we even would have to recite it. A video was shown about the Newseum that stressed the importance of the First Amendment to a democratic society. This mirrored lectures at USC about the history of journalism in America. The lectures also declared that in order to remain a free and informed society we must have freedom of speech.
Multimedia and the First Amendment tie together nicely because they represent the old and the new. They represent our roots in freedom of speech and a modern explosion of technology that helps us express our freedom. It still remains to be seen whether this modern technology will stifle freedom of speech or expand it. But the First Amendment and technology are important issues, and I was glad to hear them mentioned on my first day of orientation.
-- Leland Ornelaz, University of Southern California, The Wenatchee (Wash.) World
Hitting the jackpot
The Chips Quinn Scholars Program Summer 2007 is a lot like winning the lottery.
Your odds of "being selected" decrease as the number of applicants increase. However, once you've "won" a spot, it is an unforgettable experience with a happy stipend attached. Although, no amount of money could buy the type of opportunity this program offers to not only journalists of color but to young students who are looking for their edge in the journalism world. I just graduated from Brigham Young University a week ago and had every worry, doubt and insecurity about how prepared I was to enter the "real world." After attending the opening reception, my confidence has been renewed and I am looking forward to learning even more from experienced mentors and coaches. I am excited to discover what other doors will open thanks to this opportunity.
Your odds of "being selected" decrease as the number of applicants increase. However, once you've "won" a spot, it is an unforgettable experience with a happy stipend attached. Although, no amount of money could buy the type of opportunity this program offers to not only journalists of color but to young students who are looking for their edge in the journalism world. I just graduated from Brigham Young University a week ago and had every worry, doubt and insecurity about how prepared I was to enter the "real world." After attending the opening reception, my confidence has been renewed and I am looking forward to learning even more from experienced mentors and coaches. I am excited to discover what other doors will open thanks to this opportunity.
-- Theresa Kasallis, Brigham Young University, The Salt Lake (Utah) Tribune
The beginning of beautiful friendships
At 5:15 a.m. I had no desire to leave the comfort of bed to embark on any sort of journalistic adventure. But on Thursday, May 17, the first day of the Summer 2007 Chips Quinn orientation, I dragged my butt out of bed and drove to the airport. I arrived in Nashville at noon. Soon after, I met my roommate for the weekend, Vaida Morgan, and discovered our mutual love for dancing and singing -- albeit out of tune -- to Michael Jackson while getting ready for the first event of the weekend.
Upon arriving at the Diversity Institute, an older man with scruffy, white hair, a Gandolf-style walking stick and loafers approached me and my newly made Chipster friends and introduced himself as John Quinn. He was just one of the many interesting, impressive and quirky people I’d meet this weekend, ranging from Daniel and his special sock specifications to Sonia and our mutual love of food. Speaking of food, the first dinner’s prawns alone were enough to make waking up at 5 a.m. worth it. I can’t wait to eat -- I mean see -- what they have in store for us tomorrow.
Upon arriving at the Diversity Institute, an older man with scruffy, white hair, a Gandolf-style walking stick and loafers approached me and my newly made Chipster friends and introduced himself as John Quinn. He was just one of the many interesting, impressive and quirky people I’d meet this weekend, ranging from Daniel and his special sock specifications to Sonia and our mutual love of food. Speaking of food, the first dinner’s prawns alone were enough to make waking up at 5 a.m. worth it. I can’t wait to eat -- I mean see -- what they have in store for us tomorrow.
-- Kathy Adams, University of Texas, The News Journal, Wilmington, Del.
A sense of comfort
Enjoying the opening-night reception (from left): James Wagner, Betsy Martinez, Jennifer Muhmel, Stu Woo and Nicole Dungca.On this brisk May day in Nashville I stumbled on a sight I have rarely seen -- journalists of color convening at a conference for mutual and professional benefit. Since I began pursuing a career in print journalism, the newsrooms I've encountered have been dominated by Caucasians. Tonight brought a sense of comfort I have never experienced. I have felt like an outsider and almost alone, quietly working hard while others underestimated me. Perhaps now I can share some of those difficult experiences and some of my better ones.
-- Joe Lacdan, Southern Illinois University, San Angelo (Texas) Standard-Times
A group with class
Message from CQS Director Karen Catone:
"Editor Kate Kennedy is looking for blogs -- especially from YOU."
My mother taught me to do as told by my leaders, so here goes.
Each Chips Quinn Scholars class has brought together an impressive range of young adventurers with an abundance of hopes and ambitions. But each class also has demonstrated its own bit of character and style. So it is with the Summer Class 2007, to wit:
* At least 13 are bringing laptops, seven with I-Pods (whatever they are) and six, bless them, are packing their AP Stylebooks
* Two are bringing Bibles, several with photos of loved ones, especially the Scholar who is living away from home for the first time.
* One is packing only laptop and toothbrush, another packing toothpaste; hope they get together.
* Plenty of sunscreen is packed, at least two bathing suits, including one whose intern newspaper is "tantalizingly close to the beach."
* Two bikes, a pair of hiking boots, a guitar, a dog and a cat, but "with my allergy medicine."
* Two are into journalism because they decided they were not cut out for million-dollar major-league sports contracts.
* Five are going to newspapers where Chips worked --Poughkeepsie, Providence and Salem, where there is a photo wall of earlier CQSers.
* And one has smartly packed with the CDs and books "a voracious appetite for knowledge." Amen to that.
On that note, let us all proceed to get better acquainted, enjoy each other and bond into another class of the unique Chips Quinn Scholars family. Go for it, everyone, and good luck. God bless.
"Editor Kate Kennedy is looking for blogs -- especially from YOU."
My mother taught me to do as told by my leaders, so here goes.
Each Chips Quinn Scholars class has brought together an impressive range of young adventurers with an abundance of hopes and ambitions. But each class also has demonstrated its own bit of character and style. So it is with the Summer Class 2007, to wit:
* At least 13 are bringing laptops, seven with I-Pods (whatever they are) and six, bless them, are packing their AP Stylebooks
* Two are bringing Bibles, several with photos of loved ones, especially the Scholar who is living away from home for the first time.
* One is packing only laptop and toothbrush, another packing toothpaste; hope they get together.
* Plenty of sunscreen is packed, at least two bathing suits, including one whose intern newspaper is "tantalizingly close to the beach."
* Two bikes, a pair of hiking boots, a guitar, a dog and a cat, but "with my allergy medicine."
* Two are into journalism because they decided they were not cut out for million-dollar major-league sports contracts.
* Five are going to newspapers where Chips worked --Poughkeepsie, Providence and Salem, where there is a photo wall of earlier CQSers.
* And one has smartly packed with the CDs and books "a voracious appetite for knowledge." Amen to that.
On that note, let us all proceed to get better acquainted, enjoy each other and bond into another class of the unique Chips Quinn Scholars family. Go for it, everyone, and good luck. God bless.
-- John Quinn
P.S. To Karen and Kate: What is a blog?
Welcome to Music City USA!
Scholars arrived today in Nashville, Tenn., -- home of the Freedom Forum's Diversity Institute -- for orientation. One of the first faces they saw getting off the plane was a Chips Quinn staff member. There was another greeting them at the hotel. Director Karen Catone is ready with her schedule. John Quinn has his presentations prepared. Three CQ coaches are anxiously awaiting Scholars, armed with handouts, tips and advice. Of course, there's lots of food -- and music. We're in Music City USA, after all.
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