WriteGirl Considers Journalism School and Career

As far back as I can remember, I have been absolutely fascinated with the mysterious world of Print Journalism. There is nothing more satisfying to me than feeling engulfed by the combination of vivid images and belletristic wonder you can only get in magazines.

You can imagine my excitement, then, when WriteGirl announced that its December 2009 workshop would be dedicated to the craft of Journalism, and you can understand why I was even more ecstatic to learn that WriteGirl was providing me the opportunity to meet with a panel of six accomplished female journalists. As the journalists introduced themselves, I zeroed in on one particular woman who I knew would provide me with all the answers and inspiration I was seeking in my pursuit of a flourishing career in journalism: Abigail Goldman.

Goldman has written for top publications such as the LA Times, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize back in 2004, and was an alumna of my top-choice school, Columbia University. I approached her, bright eyed and naïve, hoping for a cushy description of my dream academic major–the depiction, I received, however was far from fluffy. When I informed her of my aspirations, she exclaimed, “If I could save just ONE young woman from making the mistake of majoring in Journalism, my job here is done.” In short, she explained to me that majoring in Journalism would severely limit my academic experience, and would essentially lead to my eternal ruin.

Suddenly, I felt as though I needed to re-think my entire life plan, consider other options, develop another passion. But as I spoke with the other journalists, I realized that each one of them had their own unique perspectives on the profession. Their personal success stories were as diverse as the contents of their articles. They had majored in everything from Political Science to Public Relations. Some of them never even expected to become writers, let alone journalists. I’ve come to the conclusion that when choosing anything, whether it’s a college major, or something as simple as a restaurant menu item, it is important to follow your heart and not allow the personal opinions of others greatly influence your choices, because you can never fully discern the final outcome of your decisions.

One of the things that I most value about being involved with WriteGirl is that they encourage girls to think for themselves. WriteGirl teaches Mentees the importance of knowing how to rely on themselves, and be confident in their own ideas. I am convinced that my involvement with this organization will not only teach me how to better myself as a writer, but will bestow upon me the knowledge and skills I need to go forth with whatever goals or plans I decide to pursue. Maybe my over-romanticized life plan isn’t so quixotic after all.

-Ashley L., age 17

 

WriteGirl Kicks Off Another Year: One Newcomer’s View

As I made my way through the entrance door at the Miguel Contreras Learning Center, the friendly greetings began. WriteGirl was kicking off its ninth season with an event for mentees and their families. It was my first event and my parents and I were just arriving.

After I signed in, I talked to Ashaki J., a volunteer working hard to match new girls with their mentors for the day. Her greeting too made me feel welcome. Ashaki paired me with Raechal. We hit it off the moment we met.

Raechal had an ever-glowing smile that made me comfortable. When I talked with her, I felt like I was talking to one of my own friends. We talked about her job as a journalist at Yahoo. And I’d been thinking about taking a journalism class at my school. She convinced me to take the class because it would expose me to other kinds of writing besides fiction.

Then the official program began and a panel of journalists gave advice and tips to the girls. The panel included Alexandra Zavis of the Los Angeles Times and Elaine Dutka, formerly of the same paper, as well as broadcasters and videographers. They all tackled the same question, “What does journalism mean to you?”

“Journalism is transparency,” one said. “It is a witness of the history of it all,” another added. I also heard them say that the way a person perceives things can promote a bias that blocks truth. In short, journalists must be cautious as to how they approach a certain topic

It was great to share the excitement, and enthusiasm WriteGirl offers with my Raechal. We were laughing throughout the event. It also was a great way to share the day with my parents. They were maybe the only ones who ended the day more excited than me.

Charise B., age 17

 

A Message from Keren Taylor, Executive Director of WriteGirl!

Happy New Year!

This is going to be a good year – that’s the feeling we get in the WriteGirl office. We are getting all kinds of good news these days. Just to highlight a few things:

- One of our mentees, Alexandria Rakes, has won a Posse Scholarship to Tulane University. Congrats to her and kudos also to her mentor Rachel Fain.

- Three of our In-Schools mentees were awarded ALACOSA (Association of Los Angeles County Office School Administrators Awards) scholarships.

- Silhouette, which is being released this month, has been awarded First Place in the anthology category in the London Book Awards. That’s the second book award for Silhouette!

- WriteGirl is looking for mentors and volunteers for our 9th season of creative writing workshops and mentoring for teen girls.  WriteGirl welcomes all women of diverse professional backgrounds to join our energetic community.  Apply your professional skills, enrich a young woman’s life – and let her enrich yours! Help with events, college support, book marketing, mentoring, public relations and more. Our final orientation/training for new volunteers this season will be held on Saturday, January 16. For more information, visit www.writegirl.org or call 213-253-2655.

- Also, we would like to welcome Ali Prosch to our staff – she is joining us as Membership Coordinator. Though this is only her second week in the role, we’re confident she’ll make a terrific addition to the team.
We hope the New Year is treating everyone generously so far, and look forward to seeing some of you at the Poetry Workshop on January 30th!

 

WriteGirl Alumna Takes on UC Irvine

Fahiya Rashid, WriteGirl Forever

My first quarter at UC Irvine has been fun and stressful all at once. The freedom that college offers is intoxicating. No more bedtime, curfew or my irritating mom screaming in my ear to clean my room. But surprisingly, I keep my room squeaky clean, I’m back in my dorm room by 8:00 most nights, and I usually go to bed around midnight. I guess habits die hard.

My classes have been nothing less than stimulating. One week I am submerged in discussions that compare Aristotle’s and Plato’s ideas of symmetrical and asymmetrical friendship, the next week I am trying to understand Descartes meditations and asking myself how real hyperbolical doubt is possible. The week after I am in Austen’s world where social class and wealth means everything and love prevails all. And the week after that, I am absorbing the truth and beauty of Morrison’s highly controversial Bluest Eye.

So where does WriteGirl fit into all of this? Through WriteGirl I gained the necessary public speaking skills to voice my opinions in my classes effectively. So thanks WG!

– Fahiya, WriteGirl Alumni

 

FORMER MENTEE WRITES US FROM COLLEGE: SHE’S STILL A WRITEGIRL AT HEART

I was very sad to leave the season-end reading and celebration last June knowing that I was no longer a WriteGirl mentee. I was excited to move beyond high school and start a new life, however, and I knew that I could continue to be involved in Writegirl somehow.

After a relaxing summer, I moved across the state to attend UC Berkeley. I was scared that I was not prepared for college. Would the professors grade extremely harshly? Would I be smothered by piles of homework each night? I was surprised when college turned out to be a little easier than high school. The subjects I am studying are fascinating: political theory, environmental justice, aniconism in Buddhist art. I look forward to the hundreds of pages I had to read each week, which I finish expediently.

But I freaked out about my first paper, and worried that the kinds of essays I wrote in high school would not be sufficient here. I pondered over every sentence, concerned that it was not what my GSI (graduate student instructor) was looking for. After revising my peer reviewed first draft, I swallowed my doubt and printed out my final draft.

I ended up getting an A on that paper. And an A on my second paper for that class. And an A on another paper for another class. (I got a B on a paper for my political science class, though.)  Maybe I was prepared to write college essays after all.

I thank WriteGirl for helping me become a better writer. Although WriteGirl focuses on creative rather than academic writing, my skills in description, adjective choice and clarity —  just to name a few that I acquired in the program — made for better analytical essays. My first semester is almost over and finals are coming up. I can’t believe it went by this quickly! Perhaps when I come home for winter break I can stop by a workshop and reminisce about my wonderful days as a mentee, while observing and guiding the next group of college bound girls.

– Evelyn H.

{ED: Evelyn was a superstar of the WriteGirl bloggers’ team.  Maybe you can stop by a Bloggers’ meeting and inspire us there too!!!]

 

Yvonne’s farewell

It seems like yesterday that I was sitting in the office watching Zoe write her “last goodbye” and now it is my turn! All this seems way too soon, and I really don’t want to leave!

I still remember the first day of work when I was (surprise!) asked to put a binding into a stack of hole-punched papers—manually. Definitely not something I thought I would be doing on my first job, but most certainly an interesting way to start!

The atmosphere here is always so upbeat and cheerful, and that makes it a joy coming to work every morning. (Except maybe on those days when I—oops—stayed up too late!) I don’t think I will ever forget my time here.

If you asked me to do double-sided copies two months ago, I would have looked at you with a baffled face. Now, if you ask me to do the same thing, I’ll jump at the chance and make you five copies in next to no time. (I really love printing copies….) Not only that, but I’m a complete pro when it comes to opening boxes, writing addresses, making labels, packaging books and envelopes, and writing thank you cards. (Yes, again, the cards!)

When I first came into my job, I was really just one of those “I don’t really care about my community” type of a teenager. But now, after seeing what non-profit organizations do, I feel like I’m finally part of something and I want to give back. I think this is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through these six weeks. I’m so grateful for that.

Thank you so much Keren. And you too, Joanna! And Reparata! Thank you to everyone for everything.

And now, inspired by Zoe, I have two haikus to share as well!

When I am eating
I hold spoons and forks like pencils
I write so much now!

Flourishing of words
Poems are hard to understand
And often too short

–WriteGirl high school intern Yvonne, age 16

Here are some photos from our good-bye lunch with Yvonne at the fabulous Nickel Diner on Main Street!

 

Become a fan of WriteGirl Publications on Facebook!

Did you know that WriteGirl publications have collectively won over 20 national book awards?

WriteGirl books are especially popular with teen girls, teachers and parents.

Click here to learn about becoming a fan of WriteGirl Publications on Facebook!

Or, just jump right in and check out all of our books – available for sale on the WriteGirl website: www.writegirl.org

 

WRITEGIRL MEETS AND HONORS NOVELIST AND JOURNALIST ISABEL ALLENDE

The Momentum Awards were held May 8, 2009 at the Montage in Beverly Hills. Sponsored by the Women’s Foundation of California, the event honors women of great achievement. And I can only think of one adjective that describes the atmosphere there—fierce. As a guest presenter, representing WriteGirl, I was a little nervous. I was the only high school girl on hand, and I’d be giving an award to Isabel Allende as a “truth-teller, philanthropist, and storyteller.” Her debut novels “House of Spirits” and “Of Love and Shadows” have been translated into dozens of languages and have sold tens of millions of copies. But excitement overcame fear when I was told that I would sit next to Isabel the entire luncheon. I took the chance to ask her what advice she would give to a young writer like myself: “Start with journalism. Journalism will give you the skills you will need to branch out in all types of writing.” Her favorite writing advice? “Write what should not be forgotten.”

– Fahiya, age 17

 

It’s all about the atmosphere

I’m Yvonne, and I’m a high school intern working at WriteGirl, in conjunction with the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

This is definitely a new experience for me––in fact, this is the first time I’ve ever worked before, and wow! I don’t think I could have asked for a better place to hold a job at!

The atmosphere in this tiny (but very cozy and friendly) office is bursting with energy and fun. Everyday seems to bring in new surprises and new experiences that I don’t think I could ever gain anywhere else! And though our staff is incredibly small, I still love everyone I work with because we are so close and familiar with each other.

Even though I have only worked here a few weeks, I’ve already gotten comfortable with the office environment and blended in perfectly (but thankfully not as the wallpaper!). Everyone here is so kind and amiable, I can’t help but to feel as if they are merely an extension of my immediate family, and not just my co-workers or my boss.

It has been incredibly hectic since my first day of work. It seems that all I have been doing for the first two weeks was writing thank-you letters, packing books, finding addresses, and shipping things off! I think everyone working in the postal office has memorized my face (and perhaps gotten a bit upset with me) because of the carts and carts of mail and packages I keep bringing in each day!

We’re very relaxed and “chill” here and I’m very glad for that. Not having to dress up everyday just to come to work is certainly a plus! In fact, I have a dog sitting next to me right now! (How random….)

Oh, what fun I’ve had here at WriteGirl! I wish I don’t ever have to leave here! (Can I ditch high school for this job?)

-Yvonne, age 16

 

Zoe’s Farewell

Howdy Writers!

Zoe Young here, coming to you from WriteGirl where I’ve been interning for the past 2 months. I’m here at the WriteGirl office promoting our upcoming anthology, “Silhouette,” due out in January 2010, and petting Keren’s chocolate lab. I’m gradually laying siege to the tower of galleys to my left, and once they’re all sent out I want to plant a flag in the floor where they were. The responses have been surprisingly good. I never thought I would feel welcomed by Cosmopolitan Magazine, but when you’ve got a great book in hand, it seems like anything is possible.

Today is my last day at the office before I head to Ireland for a year of study abroad. I’d like to end things on a meaningful note. A haiku perhaps?

Here at the office
I’ve never been more happy
To write like a girl

-Zoe Young