Students Pitch Media Professionals on Youth Stories

A panel of five Chicago media professionals assembled on August 6 at the Chicago Cultural Center to hear students in Mikva's Summer Goverment and Leadership Institute (SGLI) pitch positive youth stories. When SGLI students weren't interning in the offices of elected officials, they spent time with Mikva staff developing their stories in the hope that their ideas might be picked up in the mainstream media.

Panelists remarked on the depth of the students' stories, many of which were inspired by their peers, teachers or neighbors. "The students were very impressive," said panelist Emily Barr, President of ABC-7, the ABC-owned affiliate station in Chicago. Several panelists were so taken with students' stories that they vowed to follow up with their segment producers and editors after the presentation.

Students' felt that their summer foray into journalism, combined with the professional experience they gained in their internships, was time well spent.  As Karena Walker, a recent graduate of Bogan High School told us, "I actually feel like I did something productive this summer!"

Panelists at the Aug. 6 presentation (L-R): Veronica Anderson (Catalyst Chicago); Emily Barr (ABC-7 News); Mary Field (Chicago Tonight); Tran Ha (Chicago Tribune); Cate Cahan (Chicago Public Radio).