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| 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
