Stellar team of Student Journalists lead Summer Newsroom

INTRODUCING ELIZABETH De SANTIAGO
By Laurel O’Brien
JournaliZm

Coppell High School junior Elizabeth De Santiago w a s a pre-teen when she fell in love with J-Rap, the popular Japanese sound that blends rap with hip hop and traces its roots to the 1980s.

It’s the beat that snatches her heart – not the language, she said. “With other genres of music, I tend to focus too much on lyrics when I’m trying to get things done.”

J-Rap, like the sounds of artists Awich and Takayan, has been particularly useful in helping De Santiago manage a diagnosis of ADHD, she said.

The music has other practical bene- fits: J-Rap led De Santiago to explore a passion for writing. She discovered she could merge a love for the music form with a passion for writing. In May, she did just that: De Santiago wrote an article that was published in her high school newspaper, The Sidekick. She dedicated the entire piece to J-Rap.

“I found a passion through writing for The Sidekick,” the 17-year-old said during a recent interview with Texas Metro News “It’s the only thing that has come naturally for me.”

De Santiago is among several students who range from high school communicators to college journalism students who are completing an eight-week internship at Texas Metro News The students will shadow professional journalists and will learn and practice the fundamentals of news gathering and features reporting, writing, editing, podcasting and photojournalism over the course of their internship. Texas Metro News Publisher Cheryl Smith said this year’s class of emerging communicators is one to watch.

“For nearly a decade, I’ve invited students to spend their summers in my newsroom learning community-based journalism,” she said. “This is by far the best group of young professionals I’ve seen. They are all young ladies who are eager to work, open to criticism and willing to put in the intense time required to become successful in this business.” It was in her sophomore year, after enrolling in a journalism class, that De Santiago seriously considered writing as a career option. From the start, she was notice- ably good at the craft: De Santiago was chosen to represent her school at the University Interscholastic League’s journalism competition, a rarity for sophomore students. “I like to interview people and learn things that you wouldn’t be able to guess by just looking at them,” she said.

De Santiago also enjoys discovering new personal interests.

Last March, she explored an up- and-coming hobby in skateboarding. She intends to become good at it, starting with learning a foundational skateboarding trick.

“My goal is to learn how to do an Ollie by the end of the year,” De Santiago said in the TMN interview. “I’ve mainly just been coasting around my local park as a way to relieve stress.”

If you see her out and about skate- boarding, offer to buy her a Japanese dinner. She’ll take the Takoyaki, a Japanese octopus dish, with a chai latte from Starbucks.

Laurel O’Brien is a senior at Ursuline Academy of Dallas. A native Dallasite, she was raised on Tex Mex and gratitude. She hopes to bring a little Southern charm to everything she writes.

INTRODUCING SYDNEY LaCOUR
By Mira Daniel
JournaliZm

Sydney LaCour decided her career path in high school when she enrolled in an “Introduction to Journalism” course during her junior year. She enjoyed the class so much she joined a few peers in establishing the school’s first newspaper and she wrote for its first edition.

LaCour never forgot the experience and decided then she would major in journalism at the University of Missouri, one of the nation’s most competitive communications schools.

This summer, LaCour will complete an eight-week journalism internship at Texas Metro News.

She is working alongside seven other high school and college students – all emerging professionals who will shadow working journalists – and learn industry skills, including reporting, news and sports writing, editing, podcasting and photojournalism over the course of the summer.

Texas Metro News Publisher Cheryl Smith said the young communicators already display important “soft skills,” such as great work ethic and enthusiasm at learning new skills.

LaCour brings a love of reading, an interest she believes is complementary to journalism, to her new job, she said.

“You must be an avid seeker of knowledge and a master investigator of all sorts of information to be great as a journalist,” said Smith, who worked in radio for decades prior to purchasing her publications, the Garland Journal and Texas Metro News.

LaCour grew up in a family who enjoys music. She joined her first choir when she was a fourth grader.

She plans to minor in music at Mizzou and hopes to combine a career in journalism and the arts.

Mira Daniel is a senior at Coppell High School. In her free time, she performs on stage and listens to music. She is working on a new short film.

INTRODUCING LAUREL O’BRIEN
By Elizabeth De Santiago
JournaliZm

Dallas native Laurel O’Brien grew up the way many Texans ans did. Country music, Tex Mex and gratitude made her the person she is today. But beyond the blue skies of Texas, O’Brien dreams of the scenic sights of France.

As an avid reader of mystery novels, curiosity plays a big role in O’Brien’s life. Her thirst for knowledge led her to learn French. Every day she logs onto the app Duolingo to build onto her cur- rent 300+ day streak. “Duolingo is really fun.

I know that it won’t actually make me fluent in the language, but I think that casually learning French everyday is super fun.” O’Brien said.

Around a year ago, O’Brien went with a delegation, through her school, Ursuline Academy, to France. There, she stayed with a host family and explored the country.

“It was super different from America, which I sort of expected but not really,” O’Brien said. “It was my first time out of the country, but I liked that I was uncomfortable and had no idea what I was doing because it meant I was learning more about the world.

That experience led me to want to travel more in the future.”

O’Brien is considering studying abroad for a semester in college. As a writer and painter, she appreciates the artistic charm of France. She finds motivation in creativity and the goals she sets for herself. She is working hard to become fluent in French, and even though it is a difficult task, she is driven by her love of travel.

“Even though I know I’m no- where close to fluent. I’m trying to experience discomfort and try things I’m not immediately good at” said O’Brien. “French is definitely something that I have to work harder on to see improvement, but that’s one of the things I like most about it.”

Elizabeth De Santiago is an intern for Texas Metro News. he is a rising junior at Coppell High School. Her passion for journalism began after writing for her school’s student newspaper. In her free time she enjoys skateboarding around her local park.

INTRODUCING ERICKA ADAMS
By Kate Walsh
JournaliZm

Ericka Adams has loved shoes for as long as she can remember.

“It’s the first thing I look at when I see a person,” said Adams, 18, and the proud owner of a collection of sneakers from brands like Jordan, Nike, and Puma.

Adams recently recalled buying her first pair of collectable athletic shoes: Immediately, she said, she felt happy and content. Her most treasured pair? Her Lucky Green Nike Air Jordan 3 Retros.

Adams’ knowledge of athletic shoes may serve her well this summer:

She is among eight high school and college students who will complete an eight-week journalism internship at Texas Metro New in Dallas.

The emerging communications professionals will shadow working sports writers, sports photographers, new reporters and other journalists.

They will learn industry skills, such as news gathering, sports reporting, editing, podcasting and photography over the course of their internships. Texas Metro News Publisher Cheryl Smith said this year’s class of student interns are proficient in important “soft skills,” such as working hard and embracing new experiences.

“They all are women who are eager to work, open to criticism and willing to put in the intense time required to become successful in this business,” she said. “I already know that they will do well in this industry.”

Adams, who plans to become a journalist, also works as an intern at the Omaha Star.

She said she enjoys “talking to people and just understanding their experiences.”

Aside from collecting shoes, Adams paints and listens to artists Future and Drake.

Kate Walsh is a senior at Ursuline Academy of Dallas. You can often find her with a book in her hand or acting on stage.

INTRODUCING
MIRA DANIEL
By Sydney LaCour
JournaliZm

Lights, camera, action.

Mira Daniel is fond of those iconic film director’s calls.

That’s because Daniel, a rising senior at Coppell High School, is not merely interested in film, she’s invested in the big screen.

Daniel plans to attend the University of Texas in Austin to study film.

This summer, Daniel is among eight other high school and college students who will complete an eight-week journalism internship at Texas Metro News in Dallas.

She will study writing, reporting, newsroom leadership, editing and other communications skills. She and her peers will shadow communications professionals who work as sports writers, news and features reporters and photographers.

Publisher Cheryl Smith said the media internships prepare students for many kinds of jobs in both communications and film industries.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for students to learn early on whether the rigor of this business is for them,” Smith said, adding that both industries are exacting and demanding on employees/’ physical wellness. “I’m so proud to offer it.”

Daniel began pursuing an interest in film after enrolling in a media broadcasting course at her high school. She saw connections between broadcasting and film.

Each fall of her high school years, she returned to take courses that afforded her opportunities to study more aspects of filmmaking and broadcasting, she said.

Sydney LaCour is an intern at Texas Metro News and an incoming freshman at the University of Missouri, where she will major in Journalism. She strives daily to be an empathetic, understanding, and passionate person.

INTRODUCING
TENIA HARRIS
By Sydney LaCour
JournaliZm

Tenia Harris is passionate about telling the truth in stories. It’s a virtue that may serve her well: The University of North Texas junior plans to work in the news and communications fields.

“So many false stories are out there,” she said.

Some professional journalists fail to display the required integrity in the field, she said, adding that many readers have become disheartened with such behaviors.

Harris is among a team of high school and college students who are completing an eight-week journalism internship at Texas Metro News in Dallas.

She will study writing, reporting, newsroom leadership, editing and other communications skills. She and her peers will shadow communications professionals who work as sports writers, news and features reporters and photographers.

Publisher Cheryl Smith said the internships prepare students for many kinds of jobs in the communications and film industries.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for students to learn early on whether the rigor of this business is for them,” Smith said. “I’m so proud to offer it.”

Harris will focus her internship training on deepening her understanding of media ethics.

Too many journalists fail “to do enough research or just try to catch readers attention.” she said. “They forget the Code of Ethics…”

Outside of her journalistic interests, Harris plays basketball, watches TV, works puzzle books, hangs out with family and friends, writes occasionally, reads books and listens to music.

Sydney LaCour is an intern at Texas Metro News and an incoming freshman at the University of Missouri, where she will major in Journalism. She strives daily to be an empathetic, understanding, and passionate person. Additionally, she has a passion for music and enjoys reading a good book.

INTRODUCING
Caitlynne Vickerstaff
By Laurel O’Brien
JournaliZm

Caitlynne Vickerstaff is a graduating senior at the University of Texas at Arlington, majoring in public relations.

When she’s not hanging out with friends, you can find her cooking, trying new foods, or attending art museums and jazz clubs.

Originally from Merrillville, Indiana, she grew up with cool northern summers and a strong sense of community, keeping friends of 10-plus years, despite the distance. She moved to Texas during her junior year of high school and has lived here ever since.

This summer, Vickerstaff joins eight other high school and college students who are completing an eight-week journalism internship at Texas Metro News in Dallas.

She will study writing, reporting, newsroom leadership, editing and other communications skills. She and her peers will shadow communications professionals who work as sports writers, news and features reporters and photographers.

Publisher Cheryl Smith said the media internships prepare students for many kinds of jobs in the communications and film industries.

“It’s an incredible opportunity for students to learn early on whether the rigor of this business is for them,” Smith said. “I’m so proud to offer it.”

“I am grateful for where I am from, but it showed me that there was more out there when I moved to Texas; I have seen it,” said the 22-year-old. She hopes to see even more of the world, harboring a great love for traveling. For Vickerstaff, a dream place to travel is Monte Carlo.

Vickerstaff is also a fan of R&B and neo-soul music. Her favorite songs are “Feels” by Kehlani, “Up to You” by Chris Brown, and “Self-Righteous” by Bryson Tiller.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she has bonded with her sorority sisters.

When asked why she decided to join her sorority, Vickerstaff said, “I wanted to be a greater resource for people that look like me and to be surrounded by strong-willed women who strive to make the world a better place.”

Vickerstaff has many goals for the future. With her degree, she dreams of working on a creative team for a luxury brand, and in her free time, she hopes to learn one day to bake a mouthwatering red velvet cake.

Laurel O’Brien is a senior at Ursuline Academy of Dallas. She was raised on Tex Mex and gratitude. She hopes to bring a little Southern charm into everything she writes.

INTRODUCING
KATE WALSH
By Ericka Adams
JournaliZm

When she was seven, Kate Walsh recalls being active and energetic. Full of confidence and a pleasing personality; it’s that same Kate who is today a leader in so many areas. Her mother noticed the beauty and charm in her baby girl, enrolled her in theater.

It proved a good decision.

From her very first performance, Walsh was in love with the stage.

Now, a decade later, Walsh has appeared in more than 30 productions.

She compares herself to a young Troy Bolton, the popular, fictional lead character in the iconic High School Musical film and television drama.

Walsh wants to become accepted at a good college where she can follow her dream of becoming an actor, news anchor, or a lawyer.

This summer, Walsh, a senior at Dallas’ Ursuline Academy, will learn about becoming a news anchor along with other high school and college students. The students are completing an eight-week journalism internship at Texas Metro News in Dallas.

She will study writing, reporting, newsroom leadership, editing, podcasting and other communications skills. She and her peers will shadow communications professionals who work as sports writers, news and features reporters and photographers.

Publisher Cheryl Smith said the media internships prepare students for many kinds of jobs in the communications and film industries.

Ericka Adams is an intern with the Omaha Star. She collects shoes and loves to paint and listen to music.