First Day at the Roanoke Times Minority Journalism Workshop

Monday, June 18,2007.

Today is the first day of our week-long journlism workshop hosted by the Roanoke Times. Of course, when we all came in, we were nervous, shy, and unsure of what we were doing. But after some icebreakers we got to know each other well. We have so many different talents here, so many great characters.
After a short tour around the Roanoke Times, we headed downstairs to the cars and started off to Washington and Lee University in Lexington!
The first thing our did at Washington and Lee, or W&L, was to the commons, where we ate lunch. At lunch, we got to know each other some more, and we shared a fun time together.
After lunch, we went to Reid Hall where we got a lecture on reporting and journalism. Our instructor, Doug Cumming, acted as a Chief Police officer and we pretended to be in a Press Conference. We asked him questions like a real reporter would, about the issue, and after getting information, we came to the lab and wrote a report.
Later on, after our class was over, we went to the gymnasium and did a Ropes Course. The course was taught by William Burr, and he did a fantastic job of guiding us, and leading us towards the right way. We learned alot about teamwork, leadership, how to listen to other people's ideas, and how to present your own idea. He taught us the 'APPLE' method which consists of :
Analyze
Plan
Pursue
Lead
Evaluate
The course really taught us to look at the big picture, and to 'think outside the box'.
After the ropes course, everyone was a little tired so we went to supper. Joining us at supper was the Dean of Multiculural Affiars, Tamara Futrell. She talked about her life, how she got to W&L and what her job was.
Today has been a fun and eventful day.
Tomorrow, we are going home.