Being a Chips Quinn Scholar means believing, caring, trying

By Catalina Camia
Freedom Forum diversity fellow

05.23.02

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ARLINGTON, Va. — Orientation is a special time for Chips Quinn Scholars. For five days, aspiring journalists of color polish their news-gathering skills with the help of professionals and are inspired by tales of what it is like to write and report history as it unfolds.

Bob Dubill, executive editor of USA TODAY, told the Scholars that keeping a journal is a way to sharpen their writing skills. It's also a way to chronicle a journey of discovery, helping the author see how much he has grown, Dubill told the class. Over the years, the Scholars would come to consider their journals a gift, he said.

The 78 Scholars in the Summer 2002 program were asked to write a journal entry each day during orientation, held at Freedom Forum headquarters in Arlington.

Through the journals, we see what the newest members of the Chips Quinn Scholars family had to say about their orientation experiences and what it means to continue the legacy of a special newspaper editor who wanted newsrooms to look like America.

Select a day: Wednesday — Thursday — Friday — Saturday — Sunday

Wednesday, May 15: Coming together

Opening-night dinner is a time for Scholars to break the ice and learn what they have in common, besides wanting to become journalists. Long-distance travel binds Ankur Dholakia, a photography intern at The Detroit News, to Dayton Wong and Sarah Montgomery, interns at The Honolulu Advertiser. Dholakia drove from Alaska. Wong and Montgomery flew across the Pacific Ocean from Hawaii to take part in orientation.

The class of 64 women and 16 men represents 54 colleges and universities. San Jose State University, a longtime program participant, sent six Scholars. Nineteen schools participated for the first time, including the University of Southern Mississippi, Fort Lewis College, the University of California-Santa Cruz and Johnson C. Smith University.

The Scholars will be reporters, copy editors, photographers and graphic designers in 42 newsrooms, including nine first-time newspaper participants. The class also has the program's first online intern, Julian Beckford of Florida A&M University, who is assigned to FLORIDA TODAY in Melbourne.

What does it mean to be a Chips Quinn Scholar? Scholars share their thoughts in their first journal entry:

Carolyn Lucas

"It's now my job to care a little bit more. It's up to me to strive harder. I will not be afraid to try new things. I will open my heart. At the end of the day, I want my feet to be sore, my fingers cramped up and my throat sore. Only then will I have done my job. Being a Chips Quinn Scholar is making that one more call, getting another source and writing until there are no more words to write. I will be dedicated to the ones I met during this week. I will be dedicated to my editor at my internship. I'll be dedicated to myself. Being a Chips Quinn Scholar means I have a mission of excellence." — Carolyn Lucas, California State University-Chico, Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif.

"As I walked into the room filled with all the friendly faces, I really saw competition. As the night went on, however, I began to look at the fellow 'Chipsters' as people to grow and learn with. Every supporter of the program seemed to be genuinely interested in each one of us. You can't ask for more than that from complete strangers." — Anita George, Rust College, The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Miss.

"Being a Chips Quinn Scholar means being a part of a big family. This program means so much more than a scholarship and an internship. To me, it is a support group that always will be there when I need someone." — Ben Aguirre Jr., San Jose State University, Statesman Journal, Salem, Ore.

"Being a Chips Quinn Scholar means being given a wonderful opportunity not because we are the best, but because we could be the best." — Tracie Hunte, University of Florida, FLORIDA TODAY, Melbourne.

Julie Hubbard

"An experienced gambler goes to a horse race and listens to his gut to find a winner. He bets against the odds — on an unknown. He watches confidently as the horse crosses the white line first. He took a risk, a chance. He won. … Being a Chips Quinn Scholar is like that — an unknown given a chance to cross the finish line. An editor takes a risk. In what others see as a long-shot, the editor treats as gold." — Julie Hubbard, University of Arkansas, Muskogee (Okla.) Daily Phoenix & Times-Democrat.

Thursday, May 16: Giving voice

Scholars began their day at 7:45 a.m., checking in with their assigned "den mothers" and taking a pop news quiz from Freedom Forum President Peter S. Prichard before launching into a full day of skills-development workshops and inspirational messages.

By lunch time, the Scholars had learned the importance of understanding readers and obeying police officers when reporting from a crime scene. Then it was time for a chat by former Freedom Forum senior vice president Félix Gutiérrez on the role of affirmative action in the workplace.

After that came a fun-filled quiz session on protecting the First Amendment led by the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center founder, John Seigenthaler, and executive director, Ken Paulson.

Seigenthaler noted that, as he turns 75, it is his great hope that First Amendment Freedoms will still be strong and vibrant 75 years from now. Seigenthaler and Paulson reminded the Chips Quinn Scholars of the important role their generation must play in preserving these freedoms, particularly in the wake of Sept. 11.

Carol Knopes, a former newspaper editor, extolled the importance of the first five paragraphs of a news story. Bob Dubill, who retires in June as executive editor of USA TODAY, sang and shared with Scholars why they'll love being in a newsroom. And Caesar Andrews, editor of Gannett News Service, wrapped up the first full day of orientation by explaining why journalism "is a pretty good path to walk.''

Here's what Scholars had to say at the close of Day Two:

" 'Do I really belong here?' I thought during my first night among the students striving to become professionals and successful. But I realized today during lectures that I just have to go for it. No holding back, no fears, no doubts — just passion, motivation and inspiration to do what I love — writing and reporting about people." — Juliana Crespo, University of Nevada-Reno, The Free Press, Mankato, Minn.

"I'm naturally a shy person. I was never one to be comfortable with getting to know strangers. Moving to a new place where no one knows you is like a new beginning. I plan on taking advantage of that. I'm going to try to take speakers' advice and meet a new person every chance I get." — Gabriel Dillard, California State University-Fresno, Statesman Journal, Salem, Ore.

"The most valuable thing I learned today is how fragile the First Amendment is and how most Americans take it for granted. As an intern, I will do my absolute best to try to exercise my First Amendment rights. I will do it responsibly and truthfully. It is my responsibility as a journalist to uphold and promote the First Amendment whenever, wherever and however possible." — Michael Del Muro, California State University-Fullerton, The Salt Lake (Utah) Tribune.

"The thing I like most about being a journalist is that we protect the fundamental rights of people. This is especially sacred to me because of my roots. My family left Cuba and came to this country homeless and without knowing the language to have the very rights that I now help preserve for others." — Lourdes Briz, University of Florida, FLORIDA TODAY, Melbourne.

"The speakers showed a wonderful ability to decipher which times should be light-hearted and enjoyable and which times there was a need for seriousness. I will take that valuable lesson and make the best impression that I possibly can." — Lakiya Emerson, Howard University, Poughkeepsie (N.Y.) Journal.

"I went skydiving earlier this year, and it was one of the most amazing experiences I've had. Journalism is a lot like that. It's working on story after story, not knowing what you will cover or who you will meet. It's about feeling scared, anxious and excited all at once. And the best part is that I have the ability and potential to touch people's lives, to give voice to those often not heard, to question and get a little closer to the truth." — Amy Boerema, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix.

Friday, May 17: Stepping outside the comfort zone

A powerful Newseum film about journalists on the front lines of coverage of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks opened Friday's orientation session.

Then, technology ruled the morning with discussions about online research led by Freedom Forum librarians and Paul Overberg, database editor at USA TODAY. Kathy Kozdemba, director/readership at Gannett Co., Inc., and Gary Graham, managing editor of the Press & Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, N.Y., discussed how Scholars can be writing for the Web today and for tomorrow's newspaper at the same time.

In the afternoon, the scholars broke into small groups for workshops. Lori Demo, a Chips Quinn writing coach, played a word game with Scholars to show common mistakes in grammar and use of words. Writing coach Dick Thien taught the copy editors and graphics designers how to write accurate and compelling headlines. Writing coaches Mary Ann Hogan, a newsroom trainer, and Pearl Stewart of Florida A&M University taught Scholars how to spot a brief, a bright or a story from news releases. Scholars learned about the writing process by writing about their most recent kiss with Cindy Stiff, ASNE/APME Fellows career coach. Photographers learned tricks of their trade from Ken Lambert, a photographer with the Associated Press.

Wanda Lloyd, director of the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., ended the day with a discussion about race. She gave Scholars tips on how to approach the subject in their own newsrooms.

Here's what Scholars had to say at the end of Day Three:

"While an intern this summer, I hope to learn how to be the best copy editor I can be, by improving my skills in grammar, style and headline writing. But most importantly, I hope to gain a deeper wisdom in ethics to help me to make the best decisions I can make." — Sarah Montgomery, University of Hawaii-Manoa, The Honolulu Advertiser.

Iliana Limon

"It is my hope to work for a newspaper that cares enough about its community and staff that it takes an interest in making me the best reporter I can be. From what I have seen so far, it seems likely that this goal will be realized." — Iliana Limon, University of New Mexico, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman.

"I would love to sharpen the art of mainstreaming during my summer internship. After attending a predominantly African-American high school and a historically black college, I was beginning to think monochromatically: Black equals minority. But Chips Quinn is teaching me that African-Americans are not the only underrepresented demographic. Thus, we are not the only ones with a story to tell. I must learn to include everyone in my stories, for a more complete and accurate picture." — Allissa Hosten, Xavier University, Observer-Dispatch, Utica, N.Y.

"I've been inspired by the ambitions of all of the Scholars I've met, and I'm increasingly learning to appreciate the differences and similarities we share." — Olivia Chung, University of Pennsylvania, Lancaster (Pa.) New Era.

"Today's dinner discussion on diversity reinforced the fact that it is imperative, particularly for journalists, to step outside the boundaries of their comfort zone. I'm a fairly shy individual, and many times I have to force myself to connect with others, or at least try to. The past three days have proven that this is the only way I will improve and continue to learn." — Minal Gandhi, San Jose State University, Statesman Journal, Salem, Ore.

Saturday, May 18: Quinn family day

Orientation continued with instruction on journalism skills and newsroom culture. Mary Kay Blake, senior vice president at the Freedom Forum, went through the do's and don'ts of newsrooms. Colleen Fitzpatrick, a writing coach, taught Scholars how to find focus when they write and develop story ideas. There were more skills-development workshops and mock interviews with Jack Marsh of the Freedom Forum Al Neuharth Center in South Dakota.

Saturday also was the Quinn family's day to share with Scholars how the program began and why Chips Quinn's family believes it is important to keep Chips' spirit and belief in diversity alive in newsrooms.

R.B. Quinn, a lawyer and teacher from Tennessee and self-professed "first Chips Quinn Scholar," told Scholars how his older brother taught him how to laugh, love life and groove to B.B. King. John C. Quinn recounted how he and his wife, Loie, decided after a sleepless night to launch a program aimed at increasing newspaper newsroom diversity as they grieved for their son John C. "Chips" Quinn Jr., who had died just hours before in a car accident.

In a 1990 memo to his staff at the Poughkeepsie (N.Y.) Journal, Chips Quinn wrote how he wanted his staff to love the craft of journalism and to cherish the roadblocks and joys that come with it. He died a year later, at age 34.

"Care. Care. Care. Take it and show it,'' Chips Quinn wrote.

The Summer 2002 CQS class believes in that admonition.

Here's what they wrote at the close of Day Four:

Karyn Hsiao

"I can make a difference if I cultivate good working relationships with my assigning editor, managing editor and peer reporters. That way, the newsroom can truly profit from our respective viewpoints and reflect real diversity." — Karyn Hsiao, Smith College, The Salt Lake (Utah) Tribune.

Deidra Lemons

"This week, speakers have encouraged Scholars to bring what got them to the Chips Quinn program to their internships. I can make a difference at my newspaper this summer by being myself and letting my light shine." — Deidra Lemons, Louisiana Tech University, The Detroit News.

"In any job that I have had I always have been responsible — showing up on time, doing a good job and making a good impression. I can make a difference at my newspaper by continuing to develop my strong work ethic." — Leslie Escobar, Michigan State University, Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette.

"Diversity is an issue The Tuscaloosa News cares about, and I'm sure it is why this newspaper is accepting two female students of color this summer. I can make a difference at my newspaper by bringing my perspective and ideas to the table." — Markeshia Ricks, Johnson C. Smith University, The Tuscaloosa (Ala.) News.

Sunday, May 19: The final chapter

As the sun rose in Arlington, Scholars checked out of their hotels to begin the final chapter of their Chips Quinn orientation.

There were housing stipends to collect, and trains, planes and buses to catch. "Uncle" Merv Aubespin, who will retire next month from The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., urged the scholars to use their racial and cultural differences to do good journalism.

"The most wonderful way to overcome adversity and reach past difficult hurdles is to know it makes a difference to somebody,'' Aubespin said.

The Scholars learned how to talk to their editors with tips from John Watson, an American University journalism professor, Bill Church, executive editor of the Star-Gazette in Elmira, N.Y. and others. Kristen Go of The Arizona Republic and other alums of the program — La Shinda Clark of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Craig Johnson of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Manny Lopez of The Business Journal in Kansas City, Mo., and Maria Montoya of The Times-Picayune of New Orleans — urged Scholars to be known for what they write and report, not for what clothing they wear or for sending personal e-mails on company time.

And then it was time to say goodbye.

Tears flowed freely at lunch. The Scholars thanked program Director Karen Catone and her staff, and presented John and Loie Quinn with an autographed copy of a Summer 2002 "Welcome to Orientation" sign.

John Quinn bid the Scholars farewell, saying, "You leave here with two things: an opportunity to succeed and an obligation to carry others along.''

Here's what the Scholars said as Day Five closed:

Andrea Fanta

"I will work hard, keep my positive energy and focus and strive for excellence. This way, I will be a living example to my superiors that giving responsible, enthusiastic young journalists a chance is a worthwhile investment." — Andrea Fanta, Belmont University, The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky.

"Some of the emotional ones are going to shed a tear because a part of us is leaving with each other.'' — Thomas Thorps, Tennessee State University, The Tennessean, Nashville.

"We take with us an added confidence in ourselves and our ability to be journalists.'' — Carlos Rodriguez, University of Kansas, The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun.

"Thank you for allowing me to join in your march for diversity. I am honored to do so in long, powerful and diligent strides." — Jocelyn Jackson, Jackson State University, The Clarion-Ledger, Jackson, Miss.

"I want to make a difference in the world. I want to educate and affect others in a positive way. This has begun, thanks to the Chips Quinn Scholars Program." — Maude Wilson, University of Southern California, The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Related

Chips Quinn Scholars orientation — summer 2002
Agenda for orientation program, May 15-19, 2002, at Freedom Forum, Arlington, Va.  05.23.02

Orientation journals: Chips Quinn Scholars jot down thoughts and lessons
Chips Quinn Scholar: ‘The people involved with Chips Quinn have given me the gift of inspiration, comfort and support in a field that often leaves me disillusioned.’  01.29.03

Chips Quinn Scholars write about internship experiences
Spring intern: ‘I’m loving the rhythm, the deadlines, the feedback that I’m getting from editors.’  04.02.03

Freedom Forum names 78 Chips Quinn Scholars for summer 2002 program
News release Program has trained 708 young people of color for newspaper careers.  05.15.02

Summer journals: Learning about life while covering news
Chips Quinn Scholars gain journalism experience as interns — sometimes the hard way.  08.02.02

Freedom Forum names 27 Chips Quinn Scholars for spring 2003 program
Additional newspapers in Oregon, California and Colorado become first-time hosts for journalism students of color.  01.27.03