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I-T seeks student reporters

As my proposed senior project at Sonoma Valley High School, I am planning to revive the student reporter program that piqued my interest in journalism when I was 14 years old.

It was this program that served as a springboard to the myriad opportunities I have had over the years as a journalist, including my post as longtime intern at the Index-Tribune. The program was previously run by Emily Charrier-Botts, but due to her heavy workload, she was unable to continue managing and teaching a group of young reporters while simultaneously writing several articles a week.

However, I found it to be such a successful and interesting program, that I decided to revive it for my senior project.

Additionally, I am graduating next June and the I-T may be looking for a fresh face to take over as an intern once I leave. I received my internship through the program at a very young age, and history may stand to repeat itself in this case.

So, that said, The Sonoma Index-Tribune is looking for middle school and high school students interested in reporting on their school and community as student reporters for the 2012-13 school year.

Student reporters will have the opportunity to let the community know what’s happening on their campus and how students feel about certain issues. Though editors will make the final decision on what makes it into print, reporters will, for the most part, be allowed to choose their own article topics. All approved student articles will be published online, and some articles will be published in print.

Student reporters will be required to participate in a number of brief journalism workshops and will be expected to turn in periodic articles according to pre-established but negotiable deadlines. Applicants who attend schools outside Sonoma are encouraged to apply.

In addition to leading the workshops, I will be establishing deadlines, editing student articles and generally assisting student reporters.

The deadline to apply for the program is Sept. 28. Applications must include a letter explaining why you wish to be a student reporter, a 100-word biography and a writing sample.

Applications may be sent to intern@sonomanews.com or dropped off at the Index-Tribune offices and addressed to Jamie Ballard.

Selected applicants will be notified by Oct. 8 and must attend an informational meeting at the Index-Tribune office on West Napa Street on Saturday, Oct. 20, where they will have their photograph taken. This photo will run alongside the student’s columns throughout the year.

For any additional information or questions, call me at 888-9148 or email intern@sonomanews.com.