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.

A confidence-builder

Jamesetta Walker’s confidence was infectious. She is assistant features editor of The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va., and what I liked best as she talked about some important elements of good story-writing was her confidence. It was obvious that she is someone who has been around for some time, worked with all kinds of reporters and writers, and knows what differentiates good journalistic pieces from mediocre ones. She backed up everything she said with clear examples, which really helped us see what she meant by the various bullet points listed on her handout. Somehow, just listening to her speak made me feel more confident of my own abilities. It made me feel that I know more than I realize and that I'm actually prepared to tackle any assignment that comes my way in the next few months.

Hope for technology challenged

I learned not to be scared.
I walked into the Newseum this morning dreading the presentation on multimedia. I consider myself technologically challenged, as I have no multimedia knowledge or experience. At the same time, I was hoping that my fears were unfounded and that the presentations would help me realize that I, too, can learn how to use all those high-tech software and editing programs and be able to make cool videos, etc. Thankfully, after listening to Val Hoeppner, the multimedia guru herself, I feel more confident and excited about attending her workshop at the Diversity Institute in Nashville in August. The most important lesson I learned from the presentation was not to be scared of technology and to see it as something that can supplement my writing skills in today's journalistic world.