The week of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference was unbelievable, something I know I will never forget. However cliché that sounds, it’s true. I learned so much while I was there that it is impossible for me to put into words the feeling of gratitude I have for the conference. My horizons were expanded to a whole other world I didn’t know existed, and the times I’ve had there will live in my memory forever.

It is amazing how much you can learn in a week, and looking back on it, I don’t know how I did it. The speakers we listened to, the places we went, and the relationships that were forged taught 150 kids how to take a giant step into their futures. I think I met a future senator, and those destined for journalism and/or media have gotten a glimpse into what their lives will be like. The biggest thing that this conference taught me, though, was that journalism isn’t the right career for me. I thank George Mason for the opportunity that let me figure that out.

The Washington Journalism and Media Conference of 2011 was a definite highlight of my summer, and of my high school career.  I learned things I wouldn’t have ever had the chance of learning had I not gone to this conference. It was truly an experience of a lifetime.

This morning we had a color group meeting and two speakers before we loaded busses (where we could sleep). The first speaker was Frank Lomonte, Executive Director of the SPLC (Student Press Law Center). He gave us information on what he does to help students with pursuing their rights that are stated in the First Amendment. It was amazing how some kids push so hard to make clear what is right, even when it’s hard to keep going. The second speaker was Michael Dickerson, Internship Coordinator, Dept. of Communication. He also had a panel of three college students who are interning and moving forward with their careers in the Communications world. They gave us tons of advice as to how and when we should intern, plus it’s benefits. All the advice about interning I have received this week has been helpful to me because I had no idea what it would be like when I got to that stage in my education.

After a morning of speakers, the busses dropped us off at Union Station for lunch. We literally had to scarf down our food because we were late and some people had to get to early congressional appointments. I went on a tour of the Capitol and say the rotunda (the dome) and the crypt. I found out that every state has two statues of important people somewhere in the building, and some of them were in the crypt. The crypt was originally going to be built to bury George Washington, but by the time construction completed, he had been dead for 20 years, so he was not buried there. This room is also one of the few places left in the Capitol that was made completely by slave labor. They cut the stone and hauled it to the site to erect columns that hold up the rotunda. It was amazing, especially that they had built it all by hand, and worked so hard to create something so beautiful under cruel conditions.

After the live show, we did a taping of a Q&A with Brian Lamb, Founder and CEO of C-SPAN. He wanted a show on our thoughts about journalism, and where we want it to take us. He questioned us, and his questions reminded me of the conversations about politics and news my dad and I have. The whole time was him asking confusing questions and kids trying to come up with an understandable response, sometimes coming close to gibberish or freezing up and stuttering “uh…..um……what’s the word I’m looking for….I’m not sure how to put this…..uh…..”. When the show was finished, some kids felt very good about their answers to him, and others felt completely embarrassed.

The last speaker we had at that same location was Josh Earnest, Deputy White House Press Secretary and Special Assistant to the President. Now I should mention that practically everyone I’ve heard while in Washington D.C. has been a Democrat. Being from the White House and President himself, Mr. Earnest was no exception. In my personal opinion, he had figured out that we are able to vote next year and used the entire time as a campaigning speech for Obama. At no point in time did he mention journalism.

Once finished with speakers, we loaded the busses and went to the Smithsonian Institutions for lunch and a few hours of exploring. I went to the Museum of Natural History with some other people from my ‘yellow’ goup and we decided to head back to the Museum of Air and Space (where the busses would pick us up) early because I wanted to go to the gift shop for some Neopolitan freeze-dried ice cream. When we walked out, however, we were greeted with a torrential downpour. Needless to say, I was completely soaked to the bone in uncomfortable proffessional clothes.

To end our day we got to hear Sari Horwitz and Scott Higham talk about their lives and their book, Finding Chandra. They told the whole story and I found it very interesting. Investigative journalism in a noble proffession, so I admire them greatly, but it is definetely not the one for me. I’m not the kind of person who will willingly go secretly meet an annoymas source in the dead of night by myself…at least not without being sufficiently armed for protection anyway. Lastly we heard Andrew Flagel, Dean of Admissions and Associate Vice President for Enrollment Development. He was the funniest guy you will ever experience for a speech, and he gave out some great advice for our futures and how to deal with college admissions. His experience is a great thing to have heard before we head out to make a big decision in our lives. Sometimes, we all need that help. I am truly grateful for his words….and making me cry with laughter.

After a group discussion about the Casey Anthony Case and a panel of successful alumni, we enjoyed a nighttime tour of some of the monuments. It’s lucky I have seen them before, because it seemed like we had about 2 minutes to enjoy each of them. It wasn’t that much time, but it was still nice to see them again.

Well, it’s almost midnight, and our earliest day is tomorrow seeing as I need to get up at 5:30 in the morning. I really would like to know who scheduled that, considering they must have know that staying on time  with approximately 150 kids would be impossible. It seems the phrase “so much to learn, so little time” keeps coming back to mind.

Networking is BIG here. They’re constantly telling us to work on our networking – which means making connections with people who can constantly recommend us for a leap start in the real world. Our network connections can be anyone from our roommate’s - aunt’s – best friend’s - brother-in-law to a person we’ll have the guts to say ‘hello’ to, perhaps in an elevator.

Today, I found a treasure in the city of Washington D.C. A museum for news! It’s called the Newseum, so perhaps you’ve heard of it. This building of expansive collections is inspiring. Exhibits we visited include a Hurricane Katrina Exhibit, Berlin Wall and guard tower Exhibit, Interactive Area (where you also had the opportunity to become an actual reporter by reading a prompt to deliver a story, and they put a background behind you and filmed it), Newspaper Covers Exhibit (which held some pretty interesting finds), 9/11 Exhibit, and the Pulitzer Prize winning photos throughout the years. The photographs hit most people the hardest today, and when we had our group meetings, we spent an hour discussing them and what we saw and what they meant to us. Curious how one photograph can have so many different reactions. People respond differently to these pictures, and it was really interesting to see various reactions – the similarities and the contrasts. Also, the 9/11 exhibit reminded us of a terrible day in 2001, releasing a few stories that are connected in powerful ways to the collapse of the twin towers. Without our group discussions, I would never have gotten the chance to hear these stories. We all agreed that the journalists and photographers who ran toward this tragedy are truly brave. Only one journalist was killed during those fateful hours, Bill Biggart. You have to be exceptionally valiant to have the courage to run towards the chaos everyone else is fleeing from.

I found this quote in the Hurricane Katrina Exhibit: “This is why we run to danger that other people flee from. As long as there are people in this city, we had to be there to tell their stories.” – James O’Byrne, Times-Picayune features editor

I’ve learned that journalists are very dedicated to their jobs, and I find that admirable, being able to dig deep and find the courage to carry on and continue to report even though so many people could be suffering. I also learned that at some point in a journalist’s career, they may have to choose between being a journalist or being a person. It’s definitely something to think about.

We have a meeting before supper with our faculty advisor and our groups that will get the week started and set us on our way for an exciting and educating week. So much to learn, so little time.