Apply to the 2014 NAHJ Nevada/Las Vegas Review-Journal Summer Internship

2013 interns Eric Uribe, Sandy Lopez and Yvette Cruz join NAHJ Nevada President Michelle Rindels at a Cafecito mentorship event at Sambalatte on June 29, 2013.

The NAHJ-NV/Review-Journal internship offers talented aspiring journalists the chance to learn and shine in one of the greatest news towns on earth. Spend a few weeks chasing down the serious and the strange with the RJ’s award-winning breaking news reporters. Then cover world-class dining, entertainment and arts on the features desk. And wrap it up by putting your Spanish to the test on the staff of the RJ’s Spanish-language weekly, El Tiempo. It’s an internship like no other, in a town like no other.

THE PERKS
- 10 paid work weeks.
- Professional experiences in two languages.
- A dedicated NAHJ mentor/coach
- Assistance finding housing.

THE JOB
The paid internship is a crash course in hands-on news and feature reporting. Interns will go through a brief orientation before they’ll be expected to write regularly and deliver in-depth stories on deadline.

Interns will be assigned a mentor to provide advice and guidance during the summer. They’ll also find support from the diverse group of journalists in NAHJ Nevada.

Interns who excel may be considered for other opportunities, including full-time employment at the RJ.

THE CANDIDATE
- You have journalism experience.
- You’re a junior or senior in college, in graduate school, or have graduated either within the past six months.
- Preferably, you can speak and write in Spanish.
- You are an active member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. (To join, visit nahj.org. Annual fee is $25.)

To apply and for more information, go to: nahjnevada.blogspot.com or email nahjnevada@gmail.com.

Applications due February 1, 2013
Winner(s) announced by March 1, 2013

NAHJ Internship Application.pdf

Members on the Move: Annette Raveneau fills us in on her new job in D.C.

For this edition of Members on the Move, we check in with NAHJ Nevada co-founder Annette Raveneau. After working at Univision, Annette transitioned into PR and headed up the Know Your Care initiative at Las Vegas PR firm Ramirez Group. If you haven't seen her this fall, it's because she suddenly left for D.C.! She fills us in on the big career move.

NAHJ Nevada: If you've left VEGAS, there must be a good reason! What are you up to in Washington, D.C.? 

Annette Raveneau: I am the National Latino Press Secretary and Regional Communications Director (AZ, TX, GA) for Enroll America. Enroll America is a 501c3 that educates Americans about the new health insurance options available to them through the new Health Insurance Marketplace,  as a provision of the Affordable Care Act. Our Get Covered America campaign (#GetCovered) is geared towards just that and we partner with other organizations like FamiliesUSA, Doctors for America, Young Invincibles among others to reach as many people as possible.

NN: How was the big, dramatic, cross-country move?

AR: It went as smooth as a three-day hurry up and pack, donate, sell, leave can be ... I did not get to say goodbye properly to sooo many special people, so it was nice to see some of our NAHJ Nevada members at the Excellence in Journalism conference.

NN: What's a typical day like for you living in the nation's capital? 

AR: I live inside DC, so not Maryland or Virginia. I take the bus to work. The last time I depended on public transport was my first semester of college in Miami, but I think I can get used to it. The bus stop is literally a three minute walk from my door step. I use an app that tells me when the bus will get here, so I can calculate the time to walk my dog put him back and head out! ;-) 

NN: Mass transit ... tell us about that. 

AR: On the bus you encounter pretty interesting characters and all kinds of people. I only need to use one bus that also drops me across the street from my downtown office building.

NN: How is the actual job going? You must be crazy busy since the big health care rollout. 

AR: I work long hours -- about 10-12 hour days -- but I believe in our mission and my co-workers do as well. I feel respected and welcomed. There are not that many Latinos in headquarters and I'm the only Latina in the communications department in DC. So they really listen to what I have to bring to the conversation. I was tasked to lead our media call for Hispanic Heritage Month about the new Health Insurance Marketplace and I mentioned the importance of doing half of the call in Spanish. We did it and it was a great success. I know I will make a big difference here!

NN: How's your dog taking the move? 

AR: My doggie got his first and official contracted dog-walker, so apparently this is not just for the rich and famous! The lady comes, texts me when she gets home, walks my dog for 20 mins. Practices commands (in Spanish porque mi niño no entiende inglés), gives him a good rub, a treat and off she goes, I already got a report card,  he got an A++!!! I'm a proud Mama! Plus less stress that I have to rush home.

NN: Any downfalls about D.C.? 

AR: Besides the crazy expensive grocery bills, I have not had time to like it or dislike it. I would come to DC every year when I was a child growing up in Panama, so being here brings back memories of those fun trips.  I have family here, so I don't feel as alone as I did in Vegas... there is something about the blood connection that makes you feel safe! I think I'm going to fall in love with DC! All the cultural differences ... Will miss the good Mexican food, I heard the Mexican restaurants are not the best here.

NN: Do you miss us?! 

AR: From Vegas I'll miss my friends, NAHJ Nevada,  FirstMed Health and Wellness Center, the winters, Red Rock, Mt. Charleston, cute Boulder City, my drives to L.A. and all the great concerts and comedy shows plus all the friends that travel to Vegas for business or pleasure.

NN: We'll let you get back to work spreading the word about health care. But one last question -- if we're covering Obamacare and need some help, how do we reach you? 

AR: If you know members of the media that want to cover what we do tell them to write to Press@enrollamerica.org to be put on our media list. And follow me on Twitter at @AnnetteRaveneau.

NN: Thanks, Annette!

2nd Annual PIO/Journalist Social held at The Cosmopolitan

Dozens of journalists and public agency spokespeople converged on The Cosmopolitan Oct. 10 for an evening of networking, fun and spectacular views of the Strip. The mixer -- our second annual -- is meant bring together those of us who work with each other daily but rarely get the chance to meet outside the context of deadlines and crisis situations. Special thanks to our sponsor, The Cosmopolitan, for introducing us to the top-notch cuisine at Comme Ca and ensuring our drinks never ran empty. We're also so grateful for their gift of a raffle prize, which helped us raise much-needed funds for future events. Our lucky winner, spokesman Brian Connett of the Nevada Department of Corrections, took home a two-night stay at a Cosmopolitan suite! Thanks to all who attended and showed their support. We hope you had as delightful an evening as we did!

Xazmin Garza heads to Boston after 8 years at Review-Journal

Xazmin poses with staff at the Review-Journal press room who regularly read her column and requested to meet her before her final day Sept. 6, 2013.

Xazmin Garza, who's written for the Review-Journal since 2005, wrapped up this chapter of her life today in pursuit of new adventures in Boston! Xazmin has worked as a fashion and feature writer, but her wit and sass are best found in her popular column, X=Why. Xazmin was instrumental in establishing NAHJ Nevada's internship at the RJ, and helped select and mentor interns through the summer. In Boston, she'll join her husband, NAHJ Nevada alum Antonio Planas, who took a job as a crime reporter at the Boston Herald in the spring. Fortunately for all of us, she'll continue to write in her column from a distance!

NAHJ Nevada Welcomes New Board of Directors; Luz Gray Elected President

NAHJ Nevada members met at Viva Las Arepas on Aug. 31, 2013, to elect a new board for the 2013-2014 year. Officers include (L-R) Secretary Vincent Hernandez, Treasurer Luis Hernandez, President Luz Gray and Vice President Hernando Amaya. 

NAHJ Nevada held elections today and has selected a new board to take the group to the next level for 2013-2014. A big congratulations to:

• President: Luz Gray. Luz works as production director for Univision Radio and also hosts the community affairs program "Contacto En Vivo Con Luz." For the past year, she's worked as a social media coordinator for the chapter, keeping our Facebook, Twitter and blog fresh and up-to-date. 

• Vice President: Hernando Amaya. Hernando is the editor of Spanish-language weekly El Tiempo. He also co-hosts a news radio program Saturday mornings on 94.5 FM. Hernando served as vice president last year and continues in the role.

• Treasurer: Luis Hernandez. Luis is a radio host at KNPR and currently works the early shift at the station's "Morning Edition" program. In the past year, he's helped the chapter coordinate events including the Cafecito with Steve Sebelius and the Covering Immigration Better workshop.

• Secretary: Vincent Hernandez. Vincent is a Web producer at KSNV Channel 3. He's helped the chapter with graphic design projects and helped organize a debate watching party during the general elections.

Michelle Rindels Elected NAHJ Region 7 Director

Michelle Rindels, second from right, stands with other newly elected regional directors during the NAHJ Hall of Fame Gala Aug. 26, 2013, in Anaheim, Calif.

After a year as president of NAHJ Nevada, Michelle has been elected to the national NAHJ board as Region 7 Director. In addition to representing members in Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming on the board, she'll help members in those states establish or revive chapters and organize region-wide events.

The Cafecito Series, No. 1: Steve Sebelius

As part of the educational/mentoring component of the first-ever NAHJ/RJ/El Tiempo internship, we're planning a series of summertime "cafecitos" -- casual chats over coffee with some of the most respected journalists in town.

Our first special guest was Steve Sebelius, a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Steve regaled us on his career path, which included some early successes at a scrappy Sacramento paper and articles that shined light on corruption in the highest ranks of the state school system. He shared with us about his news diet -- which includes reading his own publication cover-to-cover -- and offered tips on how to build sources without getting problematically cozy with them.

Overall, we gathered a lot of great advice and beat the heat with iced coffee and smoothies on a 117-degree Saturday. A morning well-spent!

NAHJ Nevada Member of the Week Questionnaire

1. Where do you currently work and what's your role there?

2. When did you come to Las Vegas? Where were you before? Where did you go to school?

3. What's your dream job or big career goal?

4. Tell us a little about your ethnic background.

5. What inspired you to become a journalist or public relations professional?

6. What is the most difficult story you've had to cover (or for PR, the most challenging situation you've dealt with)? What did you learn from the experience?

7. Of all the stories you've covered, which is your favorite and why?

8. If you could interview any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

9. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing journalism or PR today?

10. Why did you join NAHJ Nevada and what do you hope to get out of it?

11. If you were going to introduce us to the most important people in your life, who would they be?

12. Tell us a fun fact we probably don't know about you.

NAHJ Nevada Applauds AP Decision to Drop the Term "Ilegal Immigrant"

For Immediate Release: April 2, 2013          

NAHJ NV APPLAUDS AP DECISION TO STOP USING THE TERM “ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT”

LAS VEGAS _ NAHJ Nevada applauds the AP’s decision Tuesday to discontinue use of the term “illegal immigrant” and recommend using the adjective “illegal” only in reference to actions, not to people.

“We’re thrilled to hear about the AP’s new policy, which we believe will lead to more humane and constructive discussion on the issue of immigration,” said NAHJ Nevada President Michelle Rindels. “AP is often the final authority on journalistic style questions, and with this decision, other news outlets will find it far easier to drop the use of a term many people find offensive.”

The national NAHJ organization has long pushed for dropping the term “illegal immigrant,” arguing it’s dehumanizing. Especially when shortened to “illegals,” it can be used to belittle the estimated 11 million undocumented residents living in the United States.

Last June, NAHJ Nevada organized a panel discussion on the terminology used to discuss illegal immigration. Many of the estimated 80 attendees expressed frustration and discomfort with the term “illegal immigrant,” while news managers noted that it would be nearly impossible to end its use without a top-down policy change in the authoritative, widely used AP Stylebook. That change came Tuesday.

“With a bill to reform this nation’s immigration system set to be introduced this month, this decision was a timely one,” Rindels said. “We look forward to writing about these developments without the distraction of this polarizing phrase.”

Background:

http://blog.ap.org/

In a statement Tuesday, AP said: “The Stylebook no longer sanctions the term “illegal immigrant” or the use of “illegal” to describe a person. Instead, it tells users that “illegal” should describe only an action, such as living in or immigrating to a country illegally.”

 

###

About NAHJ

Founded in 1984, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists seeks to increase representation of Latinos in newsrooms and to improve coverage of the Latino community. The group offers scholarships, job placement and referral services, and advocates for fair and balanced coverage of Latinos on the national stage. The organization claims nearly 1,300 members nationwide, and includes 17 professional chapters.

About the Nevada Chapter

The Nevada chapter was informally organized in April 2012 by Associated Press reporter Cristina Silva, and officially established Dec. 7, 2012. Its more than two dozen dues-paying members and dozens of regular attenders include students, public relations professionals, and employees from virtually every major Las Vegas media outlet. The group meets regularly for networking meetings, holds professional growth workshops, and supports student journalists.

Online:

NAHJNevada.blogspot.com

twitter.com/NAHJNevada

facebook.com/NAHJNevada

Meet the 2013 NAHJ Nevada/Review-Journal Interns

Review-Journal at sunset. Photo by Jessica Ebelhar.

One of NAHJ's major goals is to increase diversity in newsrooms around our state. And when we thought of how we could practically accomplish that, we thought of the next generation. We want to give aspiring journalists who are passionate about covering the many layers of our city the skills they need to launch from school to career.

After a months-long search that drew applicants from around the globe, NAHJ Nevada's internship committee (Hernando Amaya, Xazmin Garza, Antonio Planas and Michelle Rindels) was tasked with choosing a skilled aspiring journalist who embodied our group's values and mission.

But once we got to interviewing, we figured there was no way we could settle on less than these three impressive candidates.

Meet Sandy, Eric and Yvette, three young, bilingual aspiring journalists who've demonstrated a passion for covering underrepresented communities and a zest for our profession. We're thrilled to bring them to America's best news town for a paid summer job that includes a month on the Las Vegas Review-Journal's city desk, a month on the features desk, and a month at Spanish-language weekly El Tiempo. The experience is bound to be challenging and thrilling, and NAHJ members are committed to supporting and mentoring them every step of the way.

We want to thank the Review-Journal for being our enthusiastic partner in this project, and for graciously footing much of the bill so we could bring on all three of our top candidates. We also want to thank everyone who made our One Year in Photos fundraiser auction a smashing success, allowing us to pick up the rest of the tab on this endeavor. From photographers who donated their stunning prints, to the Amanda Harris Gallery, to our corporate sponsor NVEnergy, it was a major team effort.

So without further ado, we'd like to welcome the 2013 NAHJ Nevada/Review-Journal summer interns. In no particular order:

Sandy Lopez is a senior journalism major at San Francisco State University, where she's also minoring in Latino/Latina studies. She recently worked as a staff reporter at Mission Local newspaper and website, which covers San Francisco's largely bilingual Mission District, and spent a summer as a page design intern at Mexico City's El Excelsior newspaper. On campus, she worked as a staff write for SFSU's weekly paper, and previously served as editor-in-chief of the paper at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif.
One of her SFSU professors called her "one of the most dedicated and compassionate storytellers in our department," and another noted she is "one of the bravest journalism student I've had the luck of knowing," citing her courageous coverage of the Occupy protests.
The internship committee appreciated her resourcefulness and alignment with NAHJ's mission.
"While the nation continues to rapidly grow in diversity, it is crucial for journalists to accurately reflect the nation's varied communities in order to engage with a larger audience," Lopez wrote in her application. "A diverse group of reporters will more likely consider issues from different angles and produce better coverage than their homogeneous counterparts."
Follow Sandy on Twitter: @JournalismSandy

Eric Uribe is a sophomore journalism major at the University of Nevada, Reno. He currently serves as sports editor of The Nevada Sagebrush, where he manages other sports writers, reports, and maintains the section's social media accounts. He also freelances as a sportswriter for the Reno Gazette-Journal.
An Elko native, Uribe is a member of the Nu Alpha Kappa Latino-interest fraternity, and also serves as a big brother at Big Brothers Big Sisters Northern Nevada.
The internship committee was impressed by his colorful, in-depth profiles of students and sports figures. In his application, he told he looked forward to bringing that artistry to our vibrant city.

"The fast-paced, non-stop culture of Las Vegas would be a pitch-perfect match for me," Uribe wrote. "I’ll sap every last ounce of the city’s character through my storytelling ability."

Follow Eric on Twitter: @Uribe_Eric

Yvette Cruz is a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in journalism at Columbia College in Chicago. She's been covering city hall for web-based publication Chicago Talks, and working the "Gambling and Other Sins" beat for the site. She's also honed her photography and videography skills as a graduate assistant for her school's journalism department.
Previously from Utah, Cruz completed her undergraduate in journalism/communications at Utah Valley University in Orem. Her professor said "she's tackled complex stories" during her graduate program, and a previous employer lauded her as responsible, attentive, and competent.
The internship committee was impressed by Cruz's confidence, professionalism and communication skills in both English and Spanish.
"I am capable of wearing many hats," she told the committee, "but the one I wear best is my passion and drive to share stories otherwise not told with a diverse audience."
Follow Yvette on Twitter: @YvyReports

Eden Soto Alva takes job at Univision Dallas

Eden Soto Alva (upper left in photo), who's served on the NAHJ Nevada board as an active member and our graphic designer, is leaving us to take a reporting job at Univision Dallas. Aside from Peru, Texas is home for Eden -- it's where he went to school, interned, and got his first taste of the journalism that would ultimately be his career. We're very excited for this wonderful promotion, although we're sad to lose a great friend and a great journalist who served Las Vegas well during his yearlong stint here. Members of NAHJ Nevada got together for Peruvian food at Inka Grill on Feb. 17 to say our good-byes and send him off with our best wishes. Buena suerte, Eden!

One Year in Photos Fundraiser Auction

It was a recipe for success: Some stunning photos from Vegas' best photographers. A cool downtown art gallery. Vino and tapas.

And a success it was -- at our Feb. 7 event, we auctioned off 15 amazing prints and several works of art to some very happy new owners. We also made one couple's dream vacation come true after auctioning two United Airlines tickets to anywhere the company flies! They can't wait to make it out to Guam and see family this summer.

In all, our fundraiser netted $6,000 for NAHJ. We're applying the money toward our first-ever summer internship program, which is a collaboration with the Las Vegas Review-Journal and aims to bring more diversity into Nevada newsrooms. The proceeds will also help us stage activities throughout the year, including training workshops and PIO-Journalist Socials that help us network with the PR people we work so closely with.

It was an exceptional and fun night, and we couldn't have done it without the help of:

• NVEnergy: Our sole sponsor provided a major donation so we could buy drinks and refreshments for guests and pay the up-front costs of printing the photos.
• Amanda Harris Gallery of Contemporary Art: Amanda Harris let us use her lovely downtown gallery at no charge. 
• Photojournalists Jessica Ebelhar, John Locher, Steve Marcus and Leila Navidi donated incredible photos for the auction that are now gracing walls around Las Vegas.
• Priscilla Daniels, who donated beautiful Dia de los Muertos masks and three paintings for the auction.
• Claudio Ferreiro, who printed the photos at a steep discount. They turned out amazing!
• The Lady Sylvia, who provided wonderful drinks and pinxtos for our guests to munch on.

Thank you all who donated, attended, bid, or otherwise supported the great work happening at NAHJ Nevada. Your contributions are making a difference for the journalists of today and tomorrow!

Apply for the 2013 NAHJ Nevada/Las Vegas Review-Journal Summer Internship

The NAHJ-NV/Review-Journal internship offers talented aspiring journalists the chance to learn and shine in one of the greatest news towns on earth. Spend a few weeks chasing down the serious and the strange with the RJ’s award-winning breaking news reporters. Then cover world-class dining, entertainment and arts on the features desk. And wrap it up by putting your Spanish to the test on the staff of the RJ’s Spanish-language weekly, El Tiempo. It’s an internship like no other, in a town like no other.

THE PERKS
- 10 paid work weeks.
- Housing assistance, including pre-screened, low-cost, fully-furnished room options.
- Waking up in Vegas. Every day.

THE JOB
The paid internship is a crash course in hands-on news and feature reporting. Interns will go through a brief orientation before they’ll be expected to write regularly and deliver in-depth stories on deadline.

Interns will be assigned a mentor to provide advice and guidance during the summer. They’ll also find support from the diverse group of journalists in NAHJ Nevada.

Interns who excel may be considered for other opportunities, including full-time employment at the RJ.

THE CANDIDATE
- You have journalism experience.
- You’re a junior or senior in college, in graduate school, or have graduated either within the past six months.
- Preferably, you can speak and write in Spanish.
- You are an active member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. (To join, visit nahj.org. Annual fee is $20.)

To apply and for more information, go to: nahjnevada.blogspot.com or email nahjnevada@gmail.com.

Applications due March 1, 2013
Winner(s) announced April 1, 2013
NAHJInternshipApplication (2)
Photo by Jessica Ebelhar/Las Vegas Review-Journal