Summer Journalism Visitation Program

Aspiring Journalists Gain Experience at UF Workshop
By Elizabeth Cheney, University of Florida, January 8, 2004

High school students from across the state gathered June 21, 2003 at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications to get some tips from journalism professionals in writing, communicating and how to be a role model.

About 30 students attended the workshops in newspaper reporting, public relations and advertising, Internet reporting, broadcast journalism and photography. They heard from experts in their respective fields and participated in hands-on projects to gain a true feel for these careers.

They also heard from Bill Maxwell, editorial writer and columnist for the St. Petersburg Times, and Miss Florida 2002, Katherine Carson, who spoke about her platform and experiences and sang “Only Hope.”

Charles Harris, director of the program, said he felt the day was an invaluable opportunity for students to explore journalism and communications.

“The Summer Journalism Visitation Program really gives students a chance to experience all areas of journalism and direct their questions to well-respected professionals in the field, ” Harris said. “It was also a treat, this year, for the students to hear from Mr. Maxwell, who opened the program with a helpful overview of how to write effectively, and Miss Carson, who is such a role model and leader for young people in this state.”

Maxwell talked about the importance of word choice in writing. He emphasized the importance of describing every detail to the reader, invoking the reader’s five senses, reporting correctly, becoming an amateur expert on subjects and reading a lot.

“When you’re going to be a writer, you have to pay attention,” Maxwell said.

Carson began by summarizing her platform of the Great Outdoors Conservancy around which the Summer Journalism Visitation Program’s environmental conservation theme was based. She also talked about her personal experience in overcoming obstacles to become Miss Florida, and she stressed the importance of being molded into a leader in the process.

“I felt bigger, stronger and more confident after the [Miss America] experience,” Carson said. “That is what I challenge you all to find.”

The students and parents went to workshops in the morning and afternoon led by various professionals, including Harriet Daniels, Star-Banner Newspaper reporter; Julie Garrett, Gainesville Sun feature writer; Florida Bridgewater-Alford, UF community relations coordinator; Elizabeth Cheney, Santa Fe Community College public relations intern; Joseph Pisani, UF professor of advertising; Craig Lee, UF College of Journalism
and Communications web administrator; Ron Anderson, UF associate director of Financial Aid; Walter Robinson, UF associate director of Admissions; Vinnie Jones, WUFT-TV director; Ray Carson, UF photographer; and Vince Carnes, UF associate director of the Career Resource Center.

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 College~Career Tech Prep and the St. Petersburg Times.

View the Summer Journalism Visitation Program from previous years:
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