Group photo

The Summer class of 2008. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

From left: Scholars Sharahn Boykin, Simmi Aujla and Darryl Smith sign a poster for John Quinn. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

From left: Alejandro Gonzalez, John Quinn and Jose San Mateo. (Photo by Rion Sanders, Summer 2003)

A sweet summer

The idea of moving to a place where I’ve never been (St. Cloud, Minn.) is one of the most exciting aspects of my internship. Knowing my way around a new town feels like a true accomplishment. More important, I get to write for a fine newspaper, and that, my friend, is the icing atop the sweet cake of journalism.

Internship as blessing

I can't wait to get to my internship because I've heard only good things about The Salt Lake Tribune. People who have met staff members tell me they are easy to work with and nice. The director of photography has been great with keeping in touch with me and making me feel comfortable. It has been a blessing to have gotten this internship. And it doesn't hurt that I'll be staying in a vacation condo with a hot tub in a beautiful place.

Orientation’s bittersweet end

From left: Scholars Jose San Mateo, Vanessa Miranda and Darryl Smith. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

After forging many friendships, the end of our internship training program is nearing. It's going to be a painful goodbye, as we may never see some of our friends again, but the connections we've made will last a lifetime. As we travel to our destinations, one thing will rest in our minds as a memorable experience – holding our training inside a top-notch facility such as the Newseum. We are able to say that we are a piece of a prestigious organization with a great history. Never before have I felt so motivated to go out and do what my field requires me to do, and that's to be a journalist, telling nothing but the truth. I plan to try to be the best journalist I can be and to embark on my road to being a "superjournalist."

Casting a wide net

I have many other things to worry about aside from this internship, such as finishing school and graduating, but I am absolutely excited to get started. My first order of business at work will be to introduce myself to every single co-worker and establish a relationship with each person. That includes the photographers, graphic designers, Web editors, even the ad-sales people. I really want to learn how all aspects of the newsroom operate.

A contributing team member

I can't wait to get to know my editor and supervisor and to introduce myself to the rest of the staff of the Springfield News-Leader in Missouri because I have so much to learn from them. Each news department can help me improve my video stories and bring them to the level of professional quality that I want my work to reflect. I like the idea of attending the budget meetings when I can and seeing how the editors run the paper, while also being able to suggest my ideas for stories. I am excited to become a learning and contributing member of the paper.

Wire-service willies

I can’t wait to successfully figure out the AP’s systems for filing images and to truly understand what they will expect of me. I feel nervous about working at a wire service, especially one with high expectations such as the AP. I feel confident in my picture-making skills -- that is not my worry. I worry more about my caption-writing skills and being able to work in the field. Overall, I feel like I will succeed at my internship.

Ready for anything

After this orientation, I feel like I'm ready for anything. All the tips and tricks of the trade we've learned will help propel me to a new level, and I'm going to be sitting anxiously in Providence, R.I., waiting for June 2 to arrive. Though I'm still nervous about beginning at The Providence Journal, these past few days have instilled in me a new sense of hope for success (and the tools to achieve it). In addition, I can't wait to meet even more reporters and editors and begin to receive feedback about my work so I can continue to improve.

A meaningful orientation

I've been to a lot of workshops and conferences throughout the years, and they all have the same criteria: hand out some pencils, talk about plagiarism and putting together your resume, etc., and you end by collecting as many business cards as possible. So when I was told I was going to be at the Freedom Forum, I thought, "OK, same situation -- I'll be bored out of my mind and I’ll leave with a lot of pamphlets I'll never read and information I already know."


A bench in the Newseum's Front Pages gallery, a gift from John and Loie Quinn, is dedicated to all Chips Quinn Scholars. (Photo by Xavier Mascarenas, Summer 2008)

But the Chips Quinn orientation was different. I see myself using some tools, such as "the first five graphs" and "pencil-checking," when I get to the News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla. Many of the mentors and advisers have given me good advice, like establishing goals for myself and discussing them with my editor. Also, the Chips Quinn Scholars program has provided me with an extended family. It’s a family that seems to want me to succeed in this field and their genuine help is encouraging.

Eager to begin

I can't wait to get to my internship and start working on a photo essay. I want to work as much as possible and learn from everybody.

“It’s going to be great”

Detroit is very different from my hometown, which has a population of just over 2,500. The Detroit News also is a step higher from the publications I have been working for during the past 18 months. It will be the largest paper I have worked at and I know there will be tons of people to learn from. I am looking forward to learning about Detroit and its issues, and to proposing story ideas and writing my first story. It’s going to be great.

A little less terrified

Before attending orientation, I was terrified about going to my internship. I'm still terrified, but I no longer see it as an impossible feat. I can't wait to get started at my paper. I'm excited to meet the people I'll be working with. I'm excited to pitch my first story idea and (hopefully) see it in print. I'm excited to build a name for myself in the news business, or at least at The Post-Crescent in Appleton, Wis.

Nervous – and prepared

To say that I am not nervous about traveling to my internship would be a blatant lie. But after this wonderful weekend's events, I am more comfortable with the idea of not knowing everything when I get to the newsroom, and that is what I am looking forward to the most. Asking questions and learning about the newsroom and ways to make my stories better is an opportunity I am now excited about. Orientation has given me a new perspective on my internship, and I feel like I am more prepared to do the things that will be asked of me.

A career beginning

I’ve considered orientation as a beginning not only to my internship but also to the rest of my journalism career. From seminars on multimedia to messages about our differences, I’ve learned information that will help me during my internship. Before orientation, I had no idea if I was prepared for working in a daily newsroom. After the seminars and workshops, I think I’m ready.

I can’t wait to get started on the great story ideas I have. I’m also looking forward to working with the staff of the Times Daily in Florence, Ala., as well as talking with the people of Florence about what makes their community great. I’m excited, but I also have to admit I’m nervous. In the end, I think the nervousness and anticipation will give way to an enjoyable 10 weeks.

Eager to learn a new copy desk

I cannot wait to work in a newsroom in which copy editing is separate from pagination. I don't know whether such a copy desk model is necessarily better. I just know it will be different to concentrate on either only editing or only designing within a shift.

And I cannot wait to introduce myself to everyone in the newsroom at the Poughkeepsie Journal. In my previous internship, I made the mistake of waiting for people to introduce themselves, but newspaper people are super-busy -- they are not going to make time to greet and meet some punk copy editor in the corner. Instead, I have to take the time to approach them, say hello and show that I am someone worth knowing.

A promise

Panel of your peers (from left): Kristen Go (Summers 1996 and 1997), asst.metro editor, San Francisco Chronicle; Verna Thompson (Summer 1999), senior Web producer, The News Journal in Wilmington, Del,; Katie Oyan (Summer 1997 and Fall 2000), reporter, The Associated Press in Helena, Mont.; Jason McKibben (Spring 2005), photographer, Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune; and Paul Gutierrez (Summer 1993), sports reporter, The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee. (Photo by Rion Sanders, Summer 2003)

I can't wait to follow in the footsteps of the Chips Quinn Scholars who have made their mark in this incredible field. This summer, I hope to gain as much writing experience as I can, take risks, venture into areas I'm nervous about and develop the skills necessary to become the journalist that the Chips Quinn program can be proud of. As an alum, I’d like to come back as often as I can and help guide future Chips Quinn Scholars. Nothing I say can adequately express my gratitude to everyone connected with this program. Thank you for giving me the chance to work at The Providence (R.I.) Journal this summer. I promise I will make the most of this opportunity.

Encouragement for a career in journalism

Orientation with the Chips Quinn Scholars program has been phenomenal. Within four days, I've met many journalism heavyweights. My knowledge about where journalism came from and where it is heading has grown, thanks to everyone from John C. Quinn, CQS program co-founder, to John Seigenthaler, founder of the Freedom Forum’s First Amendment Center, as well as many editors and reporters in the field. I would like to thank you all for persuading me to stay in journalism instead of joining sports medicine "for a life of stretching hamstrings." I appreciate what you and people like you are doing to encourage young journalist to stay positive in a field that is continually changing.

On language

Keith Woods at his "A conversation about our differences" session. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

What I learned from Keith Woods, dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute, is that the best reporters know how to examine the language of others and question it as they question their own.

The journalist’s responsibility

The most important lesson I learned this weekend was about the responsibility of a journalist, as described by Keith Woods, dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute. Our purpose is to inform the public of an issue while excluding any reasonable way that information can be misinterpreted. Although misinterpreting information may not be the journalist's fault entirely, it is our responsibility, totally, to make sure that we include details and are specific enough to eliminate errors that are misleading.

The Chipster family trumps all

CQS Program Co-founder John C. Quinn (left) and Director Karen Catone. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

How can I pick a favorite part of the orientation here in D.C. when the best part is simply becoming a part of the "Chipster" family; that is the greatest part of this experience.

In the shoes of another person of color

Keith Woods' presentation was tremendously helpful and important for aspiring journalist. Too often, people say things that are taken out of context because of a lack of thought and concern for others' life circumstances. Although I am a minority student, I find myself unaware of some of the racial issues that face American minorities. The presentation by Keith, dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute, showed me how important it is to be aware of and sensitive to the potential impact my words can have. He also showed me that I have a special obligation as a journalist to make sure I am responsible with my word choices when interacting with people from all walks of life.

The Newseum tops his list

My favorite part of orientation is the Newseum. This is a great place for any excursion, especially if you are a news addict. The Newseum is awesome because its state-of-the-art facilities blend new media with old-time reporting. This museum, the newest in Washington, D.C., has so many interesting things, from displays of Pulitzer Prize-winning photography to a memorable and deeply moving 9/11 exhibit.

The Newseum's 9/11 gallery. (Photo by Sue Stock Serna, Summer 2000).

Communication and truth

Keith Woods is the dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute, and while what he talked about – communication -- should be common sense, he really changed the way I react in confrontational or uncomfortable situations. Asking someone what a comment means or why he or she feels a certain way is a great tool because it helps you understand where the person is coming from. This, in turn, makes it easier to connect with that person. These tools are important in everyday life, but they are priceless in the journalism profession. The way Woods connected these issues of communication to our most primal survival instincts emphasizes the harm that can be done if we fail to pause and ask these questions. By asking these questions, I will be able to write more comprehensive stories that represent a situation in complete truthfulness.

Switching off autopilot

I found myself hanging on every word of the presentation by Keith Woods, dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute. As journalists, our entire responsibility is to communicate well, but Keith allowed me to see how poorly I have been communicating, as a journalist and in my personal life. I communicate on autopilot most of the time, unaware of the subconscious factors affecting my perception and interpretation of what people say.

Keith Woods talks to the Summer Scholars. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

I mentioned the example of an acquaintance of mine, a white man, who repeatedly called me "articulate" one day. I took offense, but, as Keith pointed out, the better reaction would have been to have asked him what he meant by calling me articulate. It is these assumptions during communication that can really change a story and, as shown through the current situation with Reverend Wright, can make a serious impact on individuals' lives. I'm going to take what I've learned from this presentation to improve my reporting and my relationships with other people.

Not just lip service

The organizers and promoters of the Chips Quinn Scholars program talk about what an opportunity it is and describe how the program could be the instrument that propels us to an excellent career. Sure, I thought, they say that because it’s what they have to say.

But they are right. Hearing from the professionals and scholars from past classes who’ve gone on to have illustrious careers, win awards and climb the industry’s ladder has been inspiring. It has shown me that this experience means that I am joining a family. I must have done something recognizable to get here. I can have a great career, too, and the Chips Quinn program will help me get there.

Deconstructing conversation

Today we had a speaker from The Poynter Institute, Keith Woods. He had an inspiring talk/discussion about breaking down our conversations, questioning, and our responses with other people, both in the professional world and in our personal life. Not only was his talk well performed, he also involved the students, asking them to relate to the situations he was talking about. He managed always to come to an antidote, sometimes using the students’ own examples to prove his points. I left his talk wanting to focus more on the way I communicate, not only as a journalist, but also in my personal life.

The power of a question

Keith Woods (second from left) talks to Scholars (from left) Jose San Mateo, Erica Walters and Jeannette Ceja. (Photo by Sam Kittner)

Seattle, my hometown, for all of its progressive “do-gooderness,” is not exactly what one could call diverse. At times, it makes for awkward conversation, resulting more from a lack of dialogue as opposed to malignant opinions. Still, the precipitate is a lack of understanding. This is why I found the lecture by Keith Woods, dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute, valuable. Asking the question “why did you say that?,” as opposed to assuming why someone said it; thinking about the context and history of a situation, especially when race and gender are involved; and acting with tact before saying it are a few simple ideas for improved understanding.

A celebrity sighting at the Newseum

Today we toured the Newseum, the museum of news at its brand new location. After seeing a 4-D movie with a few sprays of water and lots of "oh’s and ah's" about how news has changed in America, a few of my new Chips Quinn friends and I headed for the glass elevators. We were enjoying the view of the museum's atrium on the ride up when I noticed that Mike Rowe from The Discovery Channel’s "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe" was standing next to me with his beautiful spouse. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the host known for his wit and wisdom as he discovers and works at America's dirtiest jobs. I whispered my sighting to fellow Scholars Brenda Vallejo and Rick Rojas, but none of us were sure it was really Rowe.

We were in the biggest elevator I've seen, surrounded by at least 20 eighth-graders in matching T-shirts. I've read enough books to know that the quickest way to anger celebrities is to draw attention to them in a crowded place. In true journalistic spirit, I quietly said, "Excuse me, sir, are you Mr. Rowe?" He smiled and said, "Hi, nice to meet you." We saw him again later and our brave photographer Brenda asked for a photo. He was gracious, and his mom even took a picture with Brenda's camera so we could all get in the shot.

Lessons for journalism – and life

The session today by Keith Woods, dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute, was informative. The lessons he bestowed can have an immediate impact on my interviewing and writing. I will pay more attention to my paraphrasing and general sentence writing in order to avoid confusion. I also can take these lessons with me into my personal life. Thinking more about how my statements will be received will allow me to be perceived as a better individual.

Thankful for the opportunity

As orientation comes to an end, I can't help but marvel at how this is only the beginning of our experience with this program. Perhaps years from now, we may be coming back to assist the new classes of scholars. When I first heard about Chips Quinn at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention in Fort Lauderdale a couple of years ago, I didn't apply. But as we have heard throughout this orientation, we are here for a reason, and I'm glad I waited. Our CQS class is the first to experience the Newseum in all its glory and is among the first to receive multimedia training at the end of the summer. I'm thankful to be a part of this program and am looking forward to my future endeavors.

Who’s reading the paper?

Scholars play Newsmania. (Photo by Russel Daniels, Summer 2008)

“Blue! Blue! Blue!” What could unify and divide us more than the ever-popular Newsmania game? It was perhaps the best part of orientation so far, and I firmly believe that it would be appropriate to conclude each night with a rousing round of Newsmania – for the joys and sorrows of the teams’ wins and losses and most important, to see who read The Washington Post that morning.

What they don’t teach in J-school

Keith Woods, dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute, taught us something they don't teach in J-school: Journalist have a duty to gather as much information as needed to makesure readers fully understand what is being said. "You can control half (of the conversation), but you have a responsibility for it all," Woods said.

A helpful array of speakers

From left: Jason McKibben (Spring 2005), photographer, Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune and Xavier Mascarenas (Summer 2008). (Photo by Sue Serna, Summer 2000)

My favorite thing about orientation so far, besides the people I've met, is how well the program has mixed professional journalists who are outside of our age range with alumni from just 10 years ago. I was a bit nervous that the journalists we would meet would be patronizing or would tell us things we had already learned. Instead, it's clear that the speakers put much thought into their presentations and took care to discuss issues that aren't taught in college (or at least at mine). The lessons we've learned here are helpful, not only for our internships but also for the rest of our journalism career.

Using words with care

Keith Woods' session was invaluable. His words on language and how it can bemisinterpreted is a lesson all journalists must learn. As journalists, we have a duty to be accurate and fair. In order to do that, we must be careful with the words we use in our reporting, interviewing and writing. Keith, who is dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute, touched on the issue of the tension among races and how messages can be distorted and misperceived by reporters and editors who fail to provide context for what people say. I will remember what Keith said and be aware of the language I use and the messages people are trying to convey.

In order to understand, ask questions

Is it racist when someone of a background other than your own tells you that you are surprisingly articulate? Is that considered offensive? Growing up in the South, without an accent to pin me down to any race, per se, I have experienced this offense. I learned today from Keith Woods, dean of faculty at The Poynter Institute, that I have to resort to questions in order to understand where a person who says this is coming from. As journalists, we must ask questions to avoid making mountains out of mole hills. Mr. Woods’ speech, I hope, will stay in the mind of Chipsters and be spread throughout our profession.