ThurstonTalk High School Interns Reflect on the Past Year

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Compiled by Kate Scriven, ThurstonTalk.com Associate Editor

Beginning in September, five high school interns joined the ranks as ThurstonTalk.com staffers.  They took a giant step towards building a resume and portfolio and each stepped a little (or a lot) outside their comfort zone.  Here, in their own words, Sara, Kira, Libby, Claire, and Emily talk about how the real-world experience has impacted their writing passion.

Find out how you can join our 2014 – 2015 internship program by clicking here.

Sara Hollar, Olympia High School Intern

Sara Hollar, Olympia High School
Sara Hollar, Olympia High School

Last summer, I decided over the next year I was going to be scared. I was going to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. One of the steps I took towards this goal was to apply for an internship with ThurstonTalk. When I was accepted I knew that I had stepped, pen in hand, over the threshold into the unknown.

At first, it was a lot of trial and error. I had no knowledge about interviewing or how to structure an article. I was uncomfortable, but that was what I had wanted, so I was happy. With each new article I could feel myself getting better. I started to ask the right questions to learn more of the story. I could outline my piece with more ease. I grew less self-conscious about my work. There were still long, sometimes fruitless hours of writing right before my deadline, but I found a certain joy in them. In the end, my articles are a product of my passion. They are a manifestation of my love for words and quotes and telling stories.

But, my own work isn’t the only place that I found that passion. The most surprising thing about this experience, and in the end what I believe I will take away, is that everyone I interviewed truly loved what they were doing. Each person’s passion for their cause and their community was evident.

As a teenager, my future seems uncertain, but full of possibility. Wherever my life takes me I hope I will always attack it with the same enthusiasm that I have seen in my community. I’m grateful to have been able to experience it firsthand through this internship.

Kira Stussy, Tumwater High School Intern

Kira Stussy, Tumwater High School
Kira Stussy, Tumwater High School

Never before have I branched so far outside of my comfort zone, tested the limits of my writing abilities, and gained new knowledge about so many various topics than I did during the course of my internship with ThurstonTalk. As an inspiring writer/novelist, receiving the notification I was accepted for the internship opportunity was truly a tremendous honor.

Over the last several months as I racked my noggin for fresh story ideas and attempted to smash that infuriating writers block, I learned an enormous amount about myself as a writer and discovered new ways to approach articles and stories.

This experience taught me to overcome challenges and to gain courage in order to conduct interviews (which happened to be especially difficult for me considering I am horribly shy). I was shocked at how challenging it can be to come up with new ideas that are relevant to people’s interests and finding ways to convey these ideas appropriately via the written word.

I am so grateful for this amazing experience. I have gained confidence not only as a writer but also as a high school student helping me to shape a clearer path for my future.

Libby Kamrowski, Timberline High School Intern

I’ve always loved writing in any form, and have found that I am, for the most part, immune to the disease known as “Writer’s Block.” When I entered high school, I had no idea what I wanted to study in college, or what career I was best suited for.

Libby Kamrowski, Timberline High School
Libby Kamrowski, Timberline High School

As a freshman, I applied to Timberline’s nationally acclaimed newspaper, The Blazer. I remember submitting my first-ever article on the cross country team, and when my critical former advisor Mr. Hardebeck called me over to review it, I thought he was going to destroy it with edits. I was shocked when he told me that I had a knack for sports writing, since he wasn’t the type to dole out compliments to fledgling staff writers like me. I owe him credit for his help in revealing a dream of a future in sports writing, and also to the eccentric staff of the paper in showing me how a newsroom really runs. By the next year, I had worked my way up to Sports Editor, and my current position as Co-Editor-in-Chief.

But by the summer before senior year, my journalistic legs were twitching to go full sprint. I sought real-world experience and ThurstonTalk filtered into my ears. When I weighed my options before applying, I knew how much more stressful life would become, but that it would be worth it. And boy was I right.

I almost couldn’t believe I got accepted nine months ago. Now I can’t believe it’s almost over. The year in review is not measured in months for me, but rather by article. Back-to-school stress, teen Christmas gifts, Timberline wrestling, Eastside Big Tom’s. I stepped out of my comfort zone and covered local businesses and school matters. I had the privilege to job shadow at the Tacoma Dome wrestling state finals with ThurstonTalk’s full-time sports writer, Tom Rohrer.

The real-world experience was exactly what I had hoped to gain, and I would highly recommend this internship.  It involved interviewing strangers, scheduling, recording, transcribing, editing, snapping shots, and asking infinite questions. The Editors I corresponded with this year provided great guidance and communication. I owe them credit for letting me pursue these opportunities, and for further helping me develop my dream as a sports writer someday.

Going into this internship with ThurstonTalk, I thought I’d study journalism or a related major in college. Now I am absolutely sure. I aim to take my knowledge from The Blazer and ThurstonTalk and apply it to the newspaper at Gonzaga University next year. As I exit high school, I am better prepared for real life due to career guidance. The prospect of a life consisting of shooting photos and writing articles excites me beyond all reasonable compare.

Claire Smith, Capital High School Intern

Claire Smith, Capital High School
Claire Smith, Capital High School

The day I walked into the ThurstonTalk office for my interview was nerve racking. I had never been to a job interview before, and had a minimal idea of what to expect. I was terrified of refusal, because I was just a freshman – the youngest age for the internship. I had built up a notion in my head that anyone older would automatically get the spot. However, the moment I started talking was the moment I realized that I could do this. My age wasn’t going to be a barrier for me. If I showed that I was dedicated to writing, I could earn a spot.

Earning the spot was one thing – keeping it was another. I had days where I shut off all distractions to just write. Those are the days I realized I could do it – I just needed to apply myself.

I’ve learned so much about myself these past months. I’ve discovered that I’m not as shy as I thought I was; I’m not afraid to go up to somebody and just start talking to them. I feel a vast improvement in my writing. And penning my archery article, so far my favorite, has opened a new passion for me in the sport. Writing my articles has opened my eyes and I’m able to get a better look at the people and activities around me and appreciate them more.

Lastly, my experience writing for ThurstonTalk has given me a platform to meet people. Everyone at the office has a heart of gold, and are the most flexible group of people I’ve ever met.

Emily Van Marter, Northwest Christian Intern

Emily VanMarter, Northwest Christian High School
Emily VanMarter, Northwest Christian High School

This internship was a lot harder than I had expected, but it was such a good learning experience for me, and I had so much fun. I learned to put myself into the community more than I had before in order write stories and was given deadlines that sometimes seemed impossible to meet. But after all of this time, I feel like I grew so much more as a person.

This position has helped me understand having a job in a new light. As a senior in high school, it is scary and exciting all at the same time to think about graduating and actually moving on, and hopefully up, in the world. I can honestly say this opportunity has given me a sense of responsibility I didn’t have before and I believe I will be more successful in life because of it.

I want to thank everyone involved as well. Because of you, I was pushed to give my best and I experienced a feeling a success and pride when I finished my articles. I encourage anyone who has a passion for writing to look into this. You won’t regret it.

Our ThurstonTalk internship application process is now open for the 2014 – 2015 school year.  We’ll be recruiting four to six interns to join our team in late August.  Find out more here.

 

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