Hey Baton Rouge,Today was truly an exciting day. The Free Spirit Scholars went to the Newseum this morning and heard first from Carol Knopes. Knopes focused on our rights as student journalists, she reminded me of my old English teacher, D. Parker. We also heard from Charles Haynes, a senior scholar with the First Amendment Program. Haynes seemed very passionate about his position.
(above) Maryland scholar looks at armor from the reporting field (right) Scholars eat lunch overlooking the Newseum Balcony
The second session featured speakers David Mazzarella, ombudsman of the Stars and Stripes publication. We were also visited by the dynamic Lisa Burgess and Leo Shane III, both of whom have reported from combat units in Iraq and abroad. Lisa Burgess was by far one of the most dynamic speakers, coming in full combat reporting regalia.
After another fancy catered lunch, We participated in one of the most exciting activities of the week called Newsmania. All of the scholars got a chance to participate in this trivia "gameshow". After the blue team was disqualified, the Red team was victorious and received free Newseum t-shirts.
(above) Newsmania gameshow (right) Paula & I at USA TodayWe spent the rest of the day touring the USA Today facilities in Virginia. We got a personal Q&A session with editors Reid Cherner and Catalina Camia and reporter/blogger Ann Oldenburg. It was an illuminating session.
The Editor-in-Chief of USA today also spent time with the Free Spirit scholars. I was very impressed with Ken Paulson, he exceeded my expectations as a speaker. We ended the day with a presentation by the Freedom Sings program, created by Ken Paulson himself. It was fun to see the EIC of a huge national Newspaper like USA Today participate in such a dynamic program using music to highlight America's fight for personal liberties in the past and into the future.
(above) USA Today newsroom (right) Ken Paulson, EIC of USA Today (below) Lauren & I in front of the Washington Monument
Our last activity of the day was a night tour of the FDR presidential memorial in downtown D.C.
2 comments:
Hi Matthew,
Wow---it looks like you are having a ball and exciting experiences with all the big wigs :0).
Ellie said to tell you that she forgot how she did (clogging ;)lol, so she said to be sure you read your regular email. Gool luck,
Sue
Hi - Ellie - Guru Sue told me what I was doing wrong. Not I can redeem myself.
We read your blogs often and they are such fun. The pics are great.
We had big weather last night, but other places had much worse.
Steaks tonight. Wish you were here. Lol
Post a Comment