The ink has dried on the 2008 Virginia Urban Journalism Workshop and a dozen outstanding students from across the Commonweath have a publication to prove it – The Urban Reporter. The UJW is a two-week intensive workshop for high school students who might be interested considering journalism as a course of study in college and as a possible career. The participants produced a 20-page tabloid-sized newspaper which focused on the 2008 Presidential election. Each student wrote an article highlighting some aspect of the election and a profile on one of their peer reporters.
The residential program, held June 15-27, was one of nearly 30 Urban Journalism Workshops across the country sponsored in part by a grant from the by the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund. Other sponsors of the VCU workshop included the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the Virginia Press Association and VCU’s School of Mass Communications. It was the School’s 24th year to host the workshop.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about interviewing, reporting, writing and editing by working in an intensive news environment. They interacted with some of Richmond’s top newsmen and women,” said Carol Mawyer, director of the UJW. “For the first time in our workshop’s history, we included a multi-media component. This reflects the industry trend in convergence and received high marks with the students.”
The workshop was held on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University and included occasional visits to the Richmond Times-Dispatch building as well as a trip to the Newseum in Washington, D.C., an interactive museum of journalism history and current worldwide news. The students also enjoyed visits from various speakers including Tom Silvestri, president and publisher of the Richmond-Times Dispatch and Glenn Proctor , the paper’s vice president and executive editor.
Bonnie Davis, the workshop’s associate director noticed a big change in some of the students during the workshop. “They came in timid and left with a sense of self confidence,” she said. “The program provides them with skills they can take with them in various aspects of their lives for years to come.”
Matthew Bardowell, a rising senior at James River High School in Chesterfield County, recieved a four-year renewable $1,000 scholarship from the Richmond –Times Disptach for his outstanding reporting on immigration issues. Kendra Johnson, a rising senior at Varina High School in Henrico County, was recommended for a $1,000 national Dow Jones Newspaper Fund scholarship for her story on Barack Obama.
UJW participants lived in university dorms and ate in the campus dining center during their stay. Most days began at 7 a.m. and ended at 11 p.m.
After two weeks of hard work and long hours, the students reflect on what they learned.
“I have really enjoyed the Urban Journalism Workshop this year, despite the long nights and the lack of sleep, said Erika Maguire, a senior from Midlothian’s Cosby High School. “However, with our daily schedule, I have really gotten a feel of what it's like to be a reporter.”
Lurah Lowery, a rising senior at John S. Battle High School in Bristol, said, “We have to work hard and work long days but it's worth it because we end up writing great articles. Plus this is good practice and experience for college.”
Maguire said, “Although it is a lot of work, you get the chance to come in contact with so many people, from newspaper writers, to broadcasting anchors, to politicians, and best of all, to fellow students, just like yourself, who want to pursue the same career. These are the people that will ultimately help you get where you'd like to be in the future.”
Arviet Rawlings, a rising senior at L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, said, “I would absolutely recommend this program to other students. Whether they are into advertising, live broadcast, or journalism, I think this is definitely a good source for preparation.”
Reuben Jones, a rising senior at Charlottesville High School, said, “I would recommend the workshop because you learn a lot and meet a lot of friends and hear from a lot of journalists. The workshop helps improve your writing skills and helps you become a better journalist.”
Learn More!
Read the coverage from the Richmond Times Dispatch.
View a slideshow of the UJW experience.
