-- Emilie Yam, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, The Tennessean, Nashville
Monday, May 21, 2007
Making the program proud
I am greatly inspired by my fellow Chipsters. It makes me proud and happy to see these young people so dedicated to the field of journalism. I believe that every one of my fellow Chipsters will one day contribute in an important way to the news field. I've encountered so many people my age who are apathetic about their role in society. To see the drive, ambition and desire in the people I met this weekend is credibly refreshing. I cannot wait to begin my internship and start making this program proud.
Together in song and in journalism
After maneuvering through a mild-mannered mass of Christian rock fans gathered for a festival, 45 Chipsters and faculty members boarded a charter bus in the middle of bumper-to-bumper traffic in downtown Nashville.
Excited chatter about newly learned line-dancing skills and gripes about the stuffy conditions on the bus soon evolved into song. From the moment the first note was belted, Chipsters threw every caution to the wind and all were instantly united by a generational bond that will not soon be forgotten.
The experience of screaming Bel Biv Devoe's "Poison" and the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme song in unison with 44 new friends is one I won't forget.
I thought hard about who has inspired me in this short time. It's hard to choose just one. Each person here shows tremendous promise and passion for the craft. The fact that we are all here together is inspiring in itself.
Kathy Adams' personable grace is something that I strive to exemplify every day, and I love Kainaz Amaria's deep, worldly insights and laid-back attitude. Ivy Farguheson's and Stu Woo's sharp Newsmania skills blew everyone away, and Sarah Welliver's and Colleen Cummins' passion for all things visual reminds me to not take the things that I witness for granted.
I want to be just like all of them when I grow up.
But our sing-along on the bus was, by far, the defining inspirational experience of this weekend. It was then that I really saw -- just as in the harmony of our singing --- how together we are. We are commencing, shoulder to shoulder, on our common journalistic journey, and the knowledge that I am not alone is the most inspiring thing of all.
Excited chatter about newly learned line-dancing skills and gripes about the stuffy conditions on the bus soon evolved into song. From the moment the first note was belted, Chipsters threw every caution to the wind and all were instantly united by a generational bond that will not soon be forgotten.
The experience of screaming Bel Biv Devoe's "Poison" and the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" theme song in unison with 44 new friends is one I won't forget.
I thought hard about who has inspired me in this short time. It's hard to choose just one. Each person here shows tremendous promise and passion for the craft. The fact that we are all here together is inspiring in itself.
Kathy Adams' personable grace is something that I strive to exemplify every day, and I love Kainaz Amaria's deep, worldly insights and laid-back attitude. Ivy Farguheson's and Stu Woo's sharp Newsmania skills blew everyone away, and Sarah Welliver's and Colleen Cummins' passion for all things visual reminds me to not take the things that I witness for granted.
I want to be just like all of them when I grow up.
But our sing-along on the bus was, by far, the defining inspirational experience of this weekend. It was then that I really saw -- just as in the harmony of our singing --- how together we are. We are commencing, shoulder to shoulder, on our common journalistic journey, and the knowledge that I am not alone is the most inspiring thing of all.
-- MaSovaida Salemo Morgan, Savannah State University, Poughkeepsie (N.Y.) Journal
Top 10 reasons for lovin' CQ
Photo by Colleen CumminsGabriela Resto-Montero (left) thinks she has the right answer in the news trivia game Newsmania. Also playing were Jamaal Johnson and Donna Lee.
And now, here are 10 reasons why I loved the Chips Quinn Scholars Summer 2007 orientation weekend.
10. This is one of the few times I have blogged in my life. I feel out of touch with today's youth, aka my classmates.
9. Colorful and informative giveaways. Now I don't have to buy any new clothes or stylebooks for my internship!
8. A rousing game of Newsmania. Who knew that events from 20 years ago would come back to haunt me?
7. The multiple sessions that snapped some sense into me.
6. My reintroduction to the First Amendment. Sad but true.
5. My fellow classmates. I am so jealous and awestruck of each and every one of them!
4. The Naked Cowboy from the first night. Don't ask.
3. Chipster line dancing that made hearts race and smiles widen.
2. The food! The Freedom Forum is also known as the Feed 'Em Forum.
1. Any and all bits of wisdom from John C. Quinn.
Thank you everyone for an unforgettable experience!
10. This is one of the few times I have blogged in my life. I feel out of touch with today's youth, aka my classmates.
9. Colorful and informative giveaways. Now I don't have to buy any new clothes or stylebooks for my internship!
8. A rousing game of Newsmania. Who knew that events from 20 years ago would come back to haunt me?
7. The multiple sessions that snapped some sense into me.
6. My reintroduction to the First Amendment. Sad but true.
5. My fellow classmates. I am so jealous and awestruck of each and every one of them!
4. The Naked Cowboy from the first night. Don't ask.
3. Chipster line dancing that made hearts race and smiles widen.
2. The food! The Freedom Forum is also known as the Feed 'Em Forum.
1. Any and all bits of wisdom from John C. Quinn.
Thank you everyone for an unforgettable experience!
-- Charles Menchaca, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign,
The Wausau (Wis.) Daily Herald
Inspired by my peers
Diversity discussions send chills down my spine. As an orientation leader at CU, I have facilitated discussions that have left me shaken and disturbed. Looking at the orientation agenda, the title "A Conversation About Our Differences" had me recalling unpleasant moments.
While I worried about the comments that could be made, the misunderstandings that would arise and the feelings that would be hurt during the session, I failed to consider the makeup of this Chipster 2007 class. We are all students of color and, most importantly, we are all journalists with a sense of curiosity and respect for different perspectives and experiences.
Facilitator Keith Woods said an exchange between Aerial McCall and Ivy Farguheson encapsulated the range of racial and ethnic relationships in the newsroom. The exchange proved my fears with this group were unfounded.
Aerial's mature interpretation of Ivy's explanation of the difference between African-American, Black and Latina illustrated a racial discussion gone right. Even though both of them had different perspectives, their willingness to accept one another's ideas and grow turned what could be a tense situation into a learning experience.
I was proud of them and of the Chipsters who so honestly shared their experiences. I feel humbled to be your classmate, and I am inspired by your integrity.
While I worried about the comments that could be made, the misunderstandings that would arise and the feelings that would be hurt during the session, I failed to consider the makeup of this Chipster 2007 class. We are all students of color and, most importantly, we are all journalists with a sense of curiosity and respect for different perspectives and experiences.
Facilitator Keith Woods said an exchange between Aerial McCall and Ivy Farguheson encapsulated the range of racial and ethnic relationships in the newsroom. The exchange proved my fears with this group were unfounded.
Aerial's mature interpretation of Ivy's explanation of the difference between African-American, Black and Latina illustrated a racial discussion gone right. Even though both of them had different perspectives, their willingness to accept one another's ideas and grow turned what could be a tense situation into a learning experience.
I was proud of them and of the Chipsters who so honestly shared their experiences. I feel humbled to be your classmate, and I am inspired by your integrity.
-- Gabriela Resto-Montero, University of Colorado, The Salinas Californian
On the edge of my seat
The journalism industry today is plagued by pessimism. As budding journalists, we are constantly riddled with cynical discussions and statistics of how newspapers are dying, journalism jobs are disappearing and readers are abandoning papers. When your career of choice is placed in such a negative light, it’s easy to lose sight of why you chose to become a journalist.
A presentation on the First Amendment by First Amendment Center Founder John Seigenthaler and USA TODAY Editor Ken Paulson reminded me why what we do is so important.
It’s not often that a journalism talk puts me on the edge of my seat, but theirs did just that. Their captivating look at the First Amendment’s history, importance and implications – from the “cycle of freedom and fear” to the FBI’s file on “Louie, Louie” – refreshed our Chips Quinn class and served as an inspiring pep talk to gear us up for our summer internships. It reminded me that as the only constitutionally protected profession, journalism is so worth the small pay, hectic lifestyle and sometimes pessimistic forecast. As guardians of America’s basic freedoms, watchdogs of government, recorders of history and storytellers, journalists may not directly save lives (although sometimes they do) or drive many Porsches, but they have the best job in the world. As long as free speech remains a basic human right, journalism will exist to defend and uphold it. John Seigenthaler and Ken Paulson reminded us of that.
A presentation on the First Amendment by First Amendment Center Founder John Seigenthaler and USA TODAY Editor Ken Paulson reminded me why what we do is so important.
It’s not often that a journalism talk puts me on the edge of my seat, but theirs did just that. Their captivating look at the First Amendment’s history, importance and implications – from the “cycle of freedom and fear” to the FBI’s file on “Louie, Louie” – refreshed our Chips Quinn class and served as an inspiring pep talk to gear us up for our summer internships. It reminded me that as the only constitutionally protected profession, journalism is so worth the small pay, hectic lifestyle and sometimes pessimistic forecast. As guardians of America’s basic freedoms, watchdogs of government, recorders of history and storytellers, journalists may not directly save lives (although sometimes they do) or drive many Porsches, but they have the best job in the world. As long as free speech remains a basic human right, journalism will exist to defend and uphold it. John Seigenthaler and Ken Paulson reminded us of that.
-- Kathy Adams, University of Texas, The News Journal, Wilmington, Del.
First audience
(Alum) Hector Becerra of the Los Angeles Times imparted the freshest information of the conference, so far. His description of editors as the "first audience" for story ideas is a simple description, but one I had not considered. My intention with story-idea proposals has tended toward quantity -- I want to give my editors as many little story suggestions as possible. But keeping in mind that editors are the first audience, I'll packaged my pitches differently.
-- Tony Gonzalez, Hillsdale College, The Detroit News
A needed lesson
The third day of instruction was my favorite because the lectures were intriguing and writing-based. My favorite lecture was the one about race (with Keith Woods of The Poynter Institute). I liked this lesson because it intermingled a social problem among minorities (racism) with our obligations as journalists. Too often, we (as journalists and minorities) are trigger-happy and ready to label people as racists instead of looking into whether comments and actions were based on ignorance or mistakes. Although the lecture was uncomfortable to sit through at times, it was a lesson that needed to be taught.
Random observations: As was evident at the Wildhorse Saloon, I am still struggling with line dancing, but man can I do the Cha Cha Slide. Perhaps the best thing about this weekend was seeing Bo Tweh's game faces during our intense games of charades. With all of the scrumptious food we've eaten this week, I probably gained 30 pounds.
-- Danny Davis, University of Montana, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
Prince of a town called Nashville
I know what most Chips Quinn Scholars have in common: We all know the lyrics to the theme song for the television show "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
The singing wasn't "American-Idol" worthy, but the camaraderie was beautiful. The stuffy bus was filled to capacity with students sweaty from line dancing and walking through the mild Nashville night. I had three shirts, two of which were soaked, and I was tired from a third day of long, yet productive, orientation sessions and little sleep from being busy in a new city with my fellow Chipsters.
But for that 20-minute ride back to the hotel, I had a different type of energy. It was contagious. Droopy eyes and flushed faces morphed into spirit. For those few minutes, no one was running on fumes.
I will miss that.
I bellowed the lyrics with a smile, remembering that this was the last night in Nashville with the Chips Quinn Scholars. I'm glad I enjoyed it.
The singing wasn't "American-Idol" worthy, but the camaraderie was beautiful. The stuffy bus was filled to capacity with students sweaty from line dancing and walking through the mild Nashville night. I had three shirts, two of which were soaked, and I was tired from a third day of long, yet productive, orientation sessions and little sleep from being busy in a new city with my fellow Chipsters.
But for that 20-minute ride back to the hotel, I had a different type of energy. It was contagious. Droopy eyes and flushed faces morphed into spirit. For those few minutes, no one was running on fumes.
I will miss that.
I bellowed the lyrics with a smile, remembering that this was the last night in Nashville with the Chips Quinn Scholars. I'm glad I enjoyed it.
-- Bowdeya Tweh, Wayne State University, Detroit Free Press
A new view of myself, others
Saturday's discussion on diversity and differing opinions was one of the most powerful discussions that I have been a part of. Although I was supposed to be photographing the talk, I found myself setting down the camera, afraid that if I got lost in that world, I would miss out on what was unfolding in front of me.
Stories of blatant racism and less overt forms of discrimination were shared. It definitely made me question my own views, how I perceive others, and what steps I take to ensure, in journalistic matters, that I have the whole story. Each case seemed, initially, so black and white (no pun intended). However, upon further examination, our perceptions were often fueled not by the reality of the situation, but by our own perceptions and past experiences.
Participating in the discussion definitely made me more aware to my own biases, the possible biases of others, and how life experiences can cloud our own reality, no matter how certain we are. As journalists, we have to maintain a level of objectivity and allow someone the benefit of the doubt to explain himself before attempting to label him as a certain type of person or as having a certain viewpoint.
Stories of blatant racism and less overt forms of discrimination were shared. It definitely made me question my own views, how I perceive others, and what steps I take to ensure, in journalistic matters, that I have the whole story. Each case seemed, initially, so black and white (no pun intended). However, upon further examination, our perceptions were often fueled not by the reality of the situation, but by our own perceptions and past experiences.
Participating in the discussion definitely made me more aware to my own biases, the possible biases of others, and how life experiences can cloud our own reality, no matter how certain we are. As journalists, we have to maintain a level of objectivity and allow someone the benefit of the doubt to explain himself before attempting to label him as a certain type of person or as having a certain viewpoint.
-- Daniel Sato, San Jose State University, St. Cloud (Minn.) Times
Making myself useful
The most valuable things I learned this weekend were that you have to stay open-minded and make yourself useful at all times. I will apply these lessons during my internship. I might get some down time; instead of being useless, I will find a story idea or help someone fact check. If I put myself out there, I'm more likely to get noticed and get a job.
I also will stay open-minded. Keith Wood's discussion Saturday about our differences helped me realize that I shouldn't assume things about people. Everybody judges. But, as a journalist, I am supposed to question things before I form conclusions.
Important lesson on judging people
Photo by Daniel SatoKeith Woods of The Poynter Institute
I've learned so many valuable things during this past weekend -- from advice on how to do the practical work to guidance on how to handle complicated and emotional situations. It's so hard to pick the most valuable.
I'll mention at least one very important lesson. I learned it during Keith Woods' conversation about our differences. He has taught me that it's important to acknowledge our human nature to judge people. By acknowledging that, we are less likely to judge incorrectly. If we step back and simply "insert questions in to the situation," as he said, we may get a whole other perspective. I only hope I will remember his words of wisdom when I find myself in this type of situation.
I'll mention at least one very important lesson. I learned it during Keith Woods' conversation about our differences. He has taught me that it's important to acknowledge our human nature to judge people. By acknowledging that, we are less likely to judge incorrectly. If we step back and simply "insert questions in to the situation," as he said, we may get a whole other perspective. I only hope I will remember his words of wisdom when I find myself in this type of situation.
-- Arian Celeste Smedley, Ohio University, The Associated Press, New York
Taking the mystery out of the internship
The breakout session with my career coach, Colleen Fitzpatrick, was helpful in many ways. The session provided a perfect platform, as Chipsters could ask whatever they wanted to ask and often got helpful answers. It took a lot of the mystery out of the things we might encounter in our internships. For example, I asked how to approach an editor about coming into a newsroom on a day off to observe and learn. I asked because I want to see how multimedia packages are produced, especially video editing. The answer: Tell the editor beforehand, that way he will know that you're not there to work on stories. The session made me feel comfortable in knowing that there are a lot of other students wondering the same things I am.
-- Willie Bans, San Diego State University, Statesman Journal, Salem, Ore.
My head high, my mind open
Generating story ideas for my school newspaper was one of the most terrifying tasks for me. We had a news meeting every Wednesday to discuss story ideas for next week's issue, and I struggled to find something unique and interesting to pitch to my editors. I was hesitant to go into the newsroom because I was worried that one of my editors would ask: "So, have any story ideas for Thursday?"
But I learned Saturday that I should be as observant of my surroundings as possible. I should draw from my own experiences as a way to find story ideas. I also learned that my editor will not expect me to have great story ideas right away. But this won't stop me from learning as much as I can about my new community. It won't stop me from learning how to generate and develop story ideas. I also know that my writing coach, Mary Ann Hogan, will help me when I'm in trouble. Now, more than ever, I feel confident that I can enter my newsroom with my head high and my mind open to what is happening in my new community of Asheville.
But I learned Saturday that I should be as observant of my surroundings as possible. I should draw from my own experiences as a way to find story ideas. I also learned that my editor will not expect me to have great story ideas right away. But this won't stop me from learning as much as I can about my new community. It won't stop me from learning how to generate and develop story ideas. I also know that my writing coach, Mary Ann Hogan, will help me when I'm in trouble. Now, more than ever, I feel confident that I can enter my newsroom with my head high and my mind open to what is happening in my new community of Asheville.
-- Jeffrey Javier, University of Arizona, The Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times
Worry has eased
I am excited about going to my internship. I had started to worry about how I would do in a new place. Since I’m not able to get to my internship until the day before it starts, I was really nervous. I still am nervous, but I’m feeling much better now that the Chipster alums gave us pointers on how to research a story from a far and how to continue finding fresh story ideas.
Saturday was another emotional day. We reflected on the Chips Quinn legacy and John Quinn talked about his late wife, Loie. Although I never met her, I started to understand who she was and what she was about.
Saturday was another emotional day. We reflected on the Chips Quinn legacy and John Quinn talked about his late wife, Loie. Although I never met her, I started to understand who she was and what she was about.
-- Donna Tam, San Francisco State University, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Open to new ideas, stories
My orientation experience has been a rich one. The most valuable thing I have learned so far is to be open to change. In my personal and professional lives, I am known to stay focused on one thing. But journalists have to be observant at all times. While it is important to stick to the facts and the story, it also is important to keep an open eye and listening ear to other things that might come up.
This theme of having an open mind also came up in the session on developing story ideas. Developing ideas can be the hardest thing, not just for interns but all reporters. But the panel gave examples of finding additional stories while on assignment. The key was being observant and looking for unique things.
The thread of openness also carried over into the breakout session with our coaches, as Pearl Stewart explained that we are not always going to do the stories we want to do. We are in the newsroom to help a team. She advised us to remember: “It’s not about you.”
This theme of having an open mind also came up in the session on developing story ideas. Developing ideas can be the hardest thing, not just for interns but all reporters. But the panel gave examples of finding additional stories while on assignment. The key was being observant and looking for unique things.
The thread of openness also carried over into the breakout session with our coaches, as Pearl Stewart explained that we are not always going to do the stories we want to do. We are in the newsroom to help a team. She advised us to remember: “It’s not about you.”
-- TaLeiza Calloway, Kent State University, St. Cloud (Minn.) Times
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