June 2002
By Arden Ramsey, University of Florida, July 9, 2002

Aspiring journalists experienced a day in the life of a journalist as they debated media ethics and faced pressure under a deadline June 22 at the annual Summer Journalism Visitation Program at the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications.

Students were given three hours to create articles, live broadcasts and advertisements at this one-day event that they presented at the end of the program.

Charles Harris, director of the program, said he feels this event is invaluable to young people because it encourages them to gain as much knowledge as they can in journalism and communications.

"The Summer Journalism Visitation Program is an excellent example of various organizations working together to help expose young people to positive lifestyles and careers in the media," Harris said. "Just as important, I feel that we have shown young people the importance of the media in a free society and how they can become positive role models by using the media to help others."

Thirty-six high school students worked with career professionals in broadcasting, newspaper and online journalism, advertising and public relations from all of over Florida. Workshops were divided into sections on print, broadcast, public relations and advertising, online journalism and broadcast. A financial aid session provided parents and high school teachers and advisors an opportunity to learn about college expenses.

Presenters included Bill Maxwell, Editorial Writer and Columnist for the St. Petersburg Times; Jon Wilson, Staff Writer for the St. Petersburg Times; Bridgette McCloud, Role Models Today Student Editor; Iris Hart, English professor at Santa Fe Community College; Amani Channel, General Assignment Reporter for WTVT Fox 13 in Tampa; George Ramirez, Reporter and Anchor for the Sunshine Network; Ferdie DeVega, Staff Writer for Star-Banner Newspaper; Kamau Hosten, Sports Intern for Star-Banner Newspaper; Arden Ramsey, public relations senior at UF; Tanza Hanna, president of Evia Advertising; Florida Bridgewater-Alford, Community Relations Coordinator in the Office of Public Relations at UF and Erica Beard, Coordinator for Student Financial Affairs at UF.

The event was co-sponsored by the Knight Division in the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida, Role Models Foundation, Star-Banner Newspaper, Alachua/Bradford Education-to-Careers and St. Petersburg Times.

View the Summer Journalism Visitation Program from previous years:
1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008

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