Lucy Peterson hones her skills to prepare for her future in journalism. photo by Sean McNearney
Lucy Peterson takes her love for journalism to new heights as she attends a nationwide conference.
TJ sophomore Lucy Peterson has been nominated to represent her school and city at the 2016 Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) at George Mason University in Washington D.C. She is one of over two hundred students from all over the country who will be attending. Peterson was chosen because of her academic accomplishments and her interest in journalism and media studies.
Students attending the WJMC are known as national youth correspondents. During the week-long program, correspondents will take part in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems, work under pressure, and know what to do when faced with the tensions of journalistic ethics. There will be two conferences during the summer, one from July 10th – 15th, and the other from July 17th – 22nd. The WJMC offers prospective journalists a handful of opportunities such as visiting the Capitol and Smithsonian Museum, and following prominent journalists and CEOs in a non-traditional classroom experience. Students attending the WJMC will stay at George Mason University’s campus located just outside of Washington D.C. Each correspondent will also receive one general elective college credit for attending.
A major part of the WJMC is that the participants get to hear speeches from famous journalists. Past speakers include USA Today’s Supreme Court correspondent Richard Wolf, Editor-in-chief of National Geographic magazine Susan Goldberg, and the New York Times White House correspondent Brian D. Shear. This year’s speakers are Brian Lamb, the president and chairman of C-SPAN, and Pulitzer prize winning photographer Carol Guzy. Another significant aspect of the WJMC is visiting the Newseum, an interactive museum of journalism and media, which partners with George Mason University in putting on the conference.
Peterson could not be more excited to be a youth correspondent. “I am very grateful that I got chosen,” she said, “I am excited for an opportunity to further strengthen my writing.” Currently she is a part of TJ’s newspaper staff, where she writes articles for the TJ Journal, and she hopes to one day become a professional journalist. “Lucy is a bright and motivated student, and I’m excited to have her return as an editor to share some of her experiences from the conference,” said Newspaper teacher Eileen Adair. “This is a great honor for her, and I’m extremely proud.”
For years George Mason University has been holding the WJMC as an opportunity for aspiring journalists to prepare for their futures. Because she gets to be a part of it, Peterson is ready to gain the skills she needs to make it in the business of media. “I am thrilled to be a part of this once in a lifetime experience,” said Peterson. “I hope it will give me the tools I need to pursue my dreams.”
