Wow, this is an amazing school

I am going to take so much back with me from these last two weeks. I have not even had time to really understand how much my brain has soaked up or how to relay my excitement and goals to my staff next year.

I do know this is an amazing university for students who are serious about pursing a career in journalism. From our first day at the school, I could tell this was no ordinary school. I was in awe of the resources this school offers to students.

From the Mac labs, radio station and broadcast studio, this is as close to the real thing as it gets. This school has such an abundance of resources to help create media for the public. It is easy to tell they value technology and where journalism is going.

The prestigious staff, who have all had experience out in the field or currently work at the newspaper or in broadcast, can offer first-hand knowledge to the journalism students. It is important to have professors who know what the real world is like and offer advice to the students. One of my favorite parts of the institute was listening to speakers like Len Downie who has lived the life of a journalist.

I want to promote this school to my newspaper and broadcast students who really want to pursue this career. I want them to have the opportunity this school offers. Just from my two weeks here, we have had so many awesome opportunities to learn everything about mass communication.

I think it is important to remember that even with all these resources at your fingertips, you still have to WANT to work hard and use it for something better. My brother teaches English in Uganda and this is a picture of the classroom. He said they are the most excited students he has ever worked with and they have nothing. They have a true passion for learning. They show up everyday and listen intently to every word, they soak up their education because it is so valuable in Africa.

What an amazing two weeks this has been. I only hope to go home, chill out for the summer, so I can use all the resources and information I picked up here to better my newspaper and my journalism classes.

Kat Gurganus

Keller High School

Keller, Texas