As a high school student, I actually stepped foot on the campus I’d eventually attend for college.
On my way to the Northeast Council of Teachers of Japanese’s annual Harumatsuri festival, I’d pass by Baruch College’s Clivner=Field Plaza while it was still under construction. This was during my latter three years in high school.
The first time I set foot inside Baruch was for the 15th Annual New York City High School Journalism Conference and Newsies! Awards. In November 2018, I sat in workshops presented by then-Brooklyn Daily Eagle reporter Christina Carrega, Baruch journalism professor Geanne Belton — who’d later teach my first journalism class at the college – and Lehman College journalism professor Eileen Markey. Then-NY1 anchor Myles Miller was the keynote speaker. I’d also receive first place in arts-and-entertainment reporting.
On March 10, over four years later, I had the chance of returning to discuss what it is like working for a college newspaper — in other words, The Ticker — as a panelist. I admit, I was hesitant about doing this and potentially impacting the lives of journalism-minded students, but I participated in the hope of having these students leave the conference inspired to pursue this career path.
Funny thing to note, aside Belton being there because she’s the organizer of the high school journalism program, Miller was also there as a guest speaker, and I briefly interacted with him when he signed in for the event. Since then, the conference dropped having a keynote speaker and arts-and-entertainment reporting category.
I was fortunate to meet with a group of students from my high school and reconnect with my former journalism program advisors. I sat in with them during the Newsies! Awards, and I was happy to see these up-and-coming journalists moved by their awards.
Unfortunately, the segment in which the feedback for the nominated articles being read aloud was cut, but that may have saved some students from blushing or crying at the conference. For me, the read-out of Baruch journalism lecturer Ralph Blumenthal’s feedback on my award-winning artist profile encouraged me to pursuing journalism. Incidentally, I met him for the first time later that month for a alumni roundtable hosted by The Ticker and Baruch’s Society of Professional Journalists chapter.
Marcellino Melika interviewed me in regard to my experience as a panelist this year and my experience attending the conference years ago, albeit I probably spoke too fast for him to transcribe. He co-wrote this article about the conference with Alejandro Miranda.
I’ll also add that I wonder who took the photo I’m in since there’s no photo credit. It’s a sly move.
I’ll also highlight the inconsistency with “alum” and “alumni” in my references. Per AP style, “alumnus” or “alumna” would be acceptable. Additionally, avoid using parentheses in articles.
Dearest Reverie 