Saturday, June 29, 2013
The Importance of Radio News -- Yellow Team
Saturday June 29th, 2013, students from all over the state flocked to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida to experience the Summer Journalism Visitation Program.
Students heard from different speakers who either attended or are still attending the university and are enrolled in the UF College of Journalism and Communications.
Two of the speakers included the hosts from Noticias WUFT FM, a Spanish-speaking radio show. The two girls explained that it was a blast to help create the show, but it was also a long and hard process. They also said that it was tough to try and translate the news from Spanish to English. After talking about the radio, it was onto other subjects, and social media was a big one.
“I really liked the diverse topics that the speakers had brought up. I especially liked the social media part of it,” Shannon Bowker, 17, said.
One of the speakers included Andy Selapak, who discussed social media with participants. He started out with everyone standing up after a long hour of listening to other speakers and had everyone take out their phones, if they owned one. After that he went onto explain that the smartphone is the best asset news reporters possess. He also went on to show how student journalists could use social media to their advantage.
“Twitter is a great way to break news,” Selapak clarified. “Collect news, share the news, and learn from it.”
All in all, students really enjoyed the SJVP and hope to come back next year for another day of learning all about multimedia.
Blue team: The journey to legalize love
By Dana Molk, Blue Team
In efforts to legalize love, regardless of sexual orientation, the Supreme Court has made a major decision allowing gay couples around the nation the rights they deserve.
After much debate and scrutiny over laws regarding gay marriage, the Supreme Court, with a vote of 5-4, shot down the Defense of Marriage Act therefore granting more privileges to gay couples. DOMA, as it is commonly referred to, restricted gay couples from veteran partner benefits, joint income tax filing, as well as many other rights all straight couples are entitled to.
Following DOMA’s downfall, both gay and straight people across the nation rejoiced over the Supreme Court’s ruling. Little did they know only more good news was headed their way.
Proposition 8, an amendment banning gay couples to wed in the state of California, was ruled as unconstitutional the same day.
Although the demise of DOMA and Prop 8 is monumental, there is still much more work to be done concerning equality in our country. As of now, gay marriage is only recognized in 13 states. Those in opposition to same-sex marriages argue that it violates their religion and that it affects children who are raised by gay parents.
The former is perhaps a whole other issue within itself. Despite being a country that ensures freedom of religion and prides itself as being the land of the free, the United States is indeed a secular country. The government does not endorse any particular religion.
With that in mind, it is not appropriate to mix the rights of citizens with one’s religious views. They are two different issues and religion should not justify the rights couples receive.
The creation and nurturing of children also concerns those against marriage equality. If the purpose of marriage is to bare children, than theoretically people over the age of 65 should not be married. Statistically and physically it is near impossible for a woman of that age to get pregnant. Yet society celebrates their union.
Others believe the purpose of marriage is to raise a child in a home where they are exposed to both a male and female guardian. However there are many single parents who raise successful children. Gay marriage does not harm any citizen in the United States.
A few months ago, the state of Colorado deemed the use of marijuana legal. Marijuana produces a euphoria that may entail anxiety, fear, distrust or panic and can become dangerous. Yet gay marriage, an issue that is anything but dangerous, is still illegal there.
Love is love whether you are gay or straight. Times are changing and the definition of marriage is too. No longer should states strictly limit a marriage between a man and a woman.
Shooting down DOMA and Prop 8’s unjust demands is a step in the right direction. The journey to legalize love is looking bright for the United States.
In efforts to legalize love, regardless of sexual orientation, the Supreme Court has made a major decision allowing gay couples around the nation the rights they deserve.
After much debate and scrutiny over laws regarding gay marriage, the Supreme Court, with a vote of 5-4, shot down the Defense of Marriage Act therefore granting more privileges to gay couples. DOMA, as it is commonly referred to, restricted gay couples from veteran partner benefits, joint income tax filing, as well as many other rights all straight couples are entitled to.
Following DOMA’s downfall, both gay and straight people across the nation rejoiced over the Supreme Court’s ruling. Little did they know only more good news was headed their way.
Proposition 8, an amendment banning gay couples to wed in the state of California, was ruled as unconstitutional the same day.
Although the demise of DOMA and Prop 8 is monumental, there is still much more work to be done concerning equality in our country. As of now, gay marriage is only recognized in 13 states. Those in opposition to same-sex marriages argue that it violates their religion and that it affects children who are raised by gay parents.
The former is perhaps a whole other issue within itself. Despite being a country that ensures freedom of religion and prides itself as being the land of the free, the United States is indeed a secular country. The government does not endorse any particular religion.
With that in mind, it is not appropriate to mix the rights of citizens with one’s religious views. They are two different issues and religion should not justify the rights couples receive.
The creation and nurturing of children also concerns those against marriage equality. If the purpose of marriage is to bare children, than theoretically people over the age of 65 should not be married. Statistically and physically it is near impossible for a woman of that age to get pregnant. Yet society celebrates their union.
Others believe the purpose of marriage is to raise a child in a home where they are exposed to both a male and female guardian. However there are many single parents who raise successful children. Gay marriage does not harm any citizen in the United States.
A few months ago, the state of Colorado deemed the use of marijuana legal. Marijuana produces a euphoria that may entail anxiety, fear, distrust or panic and can become dangerous. Yet gay marriage, an issue that is anything but dangerous, is still illegal there.
Love is love whether you are gay or straight. Times are changing and the definition of marriage is too. No longer should states strictly limit a marriage between a man and a woman.
Shooting down DOMA and Prop 8’s unjust demands is a step in the right direction. The journey to legalize love is looking bright for the United States.
Blue team: Immigrants not from outer space
By Cassidy
Whitaker, Blue Team
The prospect of the path to
citizenship for immigrants became a bit brighter this past week.
With large support of the
Senate, legislation was created that would give citizenship to the estimated 11
million undocumented immigrants and prevent devastating deportation that breaks
up these millions of families. The next battle: the House’s vote on this issue.
The bill passed with a vote
of 68-32, demonstrating the strong support and hope Americans have for a
bright, diverse future in our country. The House needs to recognize that our
times are changing right before our eyes, and this country is ready to enforce
these changes.
Legalizing the millions of
immigrants that are virtually in the shadows will put these millions of people on
our companies’ payrolls, therefore ensuring that they pay taxes. With the ample
amount of tax dollars our government will be receiving, a stronger, more stable
economy will develop.
If 11 billion people that
were basically in the shadows until now become accounted for in our country,
becoming active, tax paying, law-abiding citizens, the hope is that the
creation of jobs will flourish. These people that were once illegal, but are
now active and accounted for, will be inspired to create business and
contribute to the betterment and growth of our economy.
The counter-argument to this
issue is that our current border security is weak and needs to be strengthened.
Our borders do need to be strengthened,
not to prevent people from coming into our country, but to create a coherent,
organized system for people from other countries to be able to easily gain
citizenship in this great nation.
The bottom line is that we
are talking about people. Actual, living, breathing, soul-bearing people. We
are not dealing with animals or extra-terrestrials, just people.
“Too often we
speak of 'The Illegals' as if they were not actually human, or comprised of
actual human beings, but rather a nameless, faceless group of people who are
anonymous to us.” This quote is from a man named Jim from Arizona, who
commented on an article from the New York Times about the Senate’s pass for
immigration reform.
This quote speaks louder than any vote from the House or
the Senate about what is truly at stake.
A Day of Change: Participation in the Summer Journalism Visitation Program changed one Gator’s life forever -- Red Team
By: Kiely Huynh and Michele Kuhn
For Samrenee Green, a junior at the University of Florida, life was changed significantly when she participated in the Summer Journalism Visitation Program.
Her high school career began in a magnet program for engineering at Blanche Ely High School. This involvement in engineering led Samrenee to enter the University of Florida as an Engineering major.
Although she was in the engineering magnet program, Samrenee was a participant of SJVP in her junior and senior years of high school. She also was involved in the Florida Scholastic Press Association beginning in her freshman year, and was a part of the Student Television Network during her junior and senior years.
The experience of SJVP and her love of television production weighed heavily enough on her mind to convince her to change her major. Both her experience as a participant in SJVP and her involvement as a volunteer in her first year of college ultimately pushed her to become a telecommunications major in her sophomore year.
Samrenee is going into her third year as a telecommunications major on the production track. She has a concentration in digital arts and exhibits her scholastic diversity in her Japanese minor, which may offer opportunities to broaden her horizons.
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| Telecommunications and production major Samrenee Green works as a student assistant at SJVP. |
Her high school career began in a magnet program for engineering at Blanche Ely High School. This involvement in engineering led Samrenee to enter the University of Florida as an Engineering major.
Although she was in the engineering magnet program, Samrenee was a participant of SJVP in her junior and senior years of high school. She also was involved in the Florida Scholastic Press Association beginning in her freshman year, and was a part of the Student Television Network during her junior and senior years.
The experience of SJVP and her love of television production weighed heavily enough on her mind to convince her to change her major. Both her experience as a participant in SJVP and her involvement as a volunteer in her first year of college ultimately pushed her to become a telecommunications major in her sophomore year.
Samrenee is going into her third year as a telecommunications major on the production track. She has a concentration in digital arts and exhibits her scholastic diversity in her Japanese minor, which may offer opportunities to broaden her horizons.
She will begin her position as chief editor of WUFT-TV in the fall semester after working her way up in the WUFT-TV lab. Samrenee will be in charge of editing clips that come from major news stations, such as NBC and ABC.
Samrenee said she is grateful for the experience of working with students and professors across all areas of journalism. Sometimes classes and teacher might be difficult, but Samrenee says you just have to grin and bear it. This experience has made her able to work in various fields, including radio and television, even though she is a telecommunication major.
“You have to try everything- all the flavors,” said Samrenee.
Her goal is to work in animation or with television documentaries, such as National Geographic or the History Channel.
Representative of the ideals of the Gator Nation, Samrenee continues to bring her enthusiasm for journalism to SJVP.
Overall, Samrenee has enjoyed the exposure she has received as a UF telecommunications student.
“I love the experience,” she said, and we could almost feel her genuine admiration for the College of Journalism and the college as a whole.
“You have to try everything- all the flavors,” said Samrenee.
Her goal is to work in animation or with television documentaries, such as National Geographic or the History Channel.
Representative of the ideals of the Gator Nation, Samrenee continues to bring her enthusiasm for journalism to SJVP.
Overall, Samrenee has enjoyed the exposure she has received as a UF telecommunications student.
“I love the experience,” she said, and we could almost feel her genuine admiration for the College of Journalism and the college as a whole.
Blue Team: Immigration makes America stronger
By Linda
Bamba, Blue Team
My family did not have the benefits some might today with
the proposed immigration reform.
So hopefully in a few
short years this can go into effect and actually help undocumented people out
there. Unfortunately, my family had to go the hard way and make a path of their own.
I have a personal attachment to this story because it shapes
my childhood and the background that I come from. My entire family is from Ivory Coast in West Africa.
They
all came to the U.S with a working visa and green card but went through a
lengthy and costly process that did not even guarantee safety within the
country. Working just as hard as an American citizen, my parents spent almost
5-6 years to become legal.
Even though they had a child in this country they still had
to fight for citizenship. With the immigration reform people that have been in
this country for years are able to have an efficient way of becoming legal in
this country.
The Reagan era was the last time this topic has been brought to light in Congress. Recently the Senate passed immigration reform with a 68 to 32 ratio with only 14 of them being Republicans.
This story sadly switched from the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States into a battle between the Senate and the House.
Now that the Senate has passed immigration reform, the House of Representatives should do the same so that the U.S can continue to make a path for the undocumented.
As a country built upon the belief of freedom, we have
become the melting pot. A place where as a citizen in a direct-democracy we
have rights given to us by the constitution that ensures equality and justice.
Why would we make the
process so long for others? Or set the prices on each document so expensive
some families can only send one or two members? With the economic state that
our country is facing now, the immigration reform can only benefit us in the
long run. Think about it, the more people that pay taxes the more money that
goes into business that makes jobs.
Documenting aliens will give them rights to buy homes,
making them not only land owners but car owners and business owners only making
the economy stronger.
Past, Present, and Future: UF Junior’s View on Journalism -- Red Team
By: Allison Frison and Emily Blomeley
Michelle Provenzano enrolled in an introductory journalism class her freshman year of high school to see if it would heighten her interest in the field. As a result, she wrote for her school newspaper and became a Page Editor.
Those experiences led Michelle to say journalism was “her passion.”
Michelle decided to hone her passion at UF for several reasons, such as the number of awards and recognitions the college of Journalism has received throughout the years.
It is one of the top ten journalism schools in the nation, and is home to the second largest bachelor degree journalism program in the nation.
Michelle was also attracted to UF due to the fact it offered a “firsthand experience that you didn’t have to go off campus to find,” she said.
At UF she explored different branches of journalism and communications.
She said that she eventually fell in love with production, which involves more behind the scenes work.
In the past the field of journalism was dominated by men. Michelle said, “This was largely due to the fact that women did not have a particularly strong role in the work place.”
However, this has changed drastically throughout the years.
Provenzano said, “Women are just as motivated as men, I feel they have found their place in the work force.”
She already has an idea about what goals she wants to pursue. She wants to cover a professional or college sports team; particularly a women’s soccer team.
Michelle Provenzano enrolled in an introductory journalism class her freshman year of high school to see if it would heighten her interest in the field. As a result, she wrote for her school newspaper and became a Page Editor.
Those experiences led Michelle to say journalism was “her passion.”
 |
| Michelle had at work at the INC. |
It is one of the top ten journalism schools in the nation, and is home to the second largest bachelor degree journalism program in the nation.
Michelle was also attracted to UF due to the fact it offered a “firsthand experience that you didn’t have to go off campus to find,” she said.
At UF she explored different branches of journalism and communications.
She said that she eventually fell in love with production, which involves more behind the scenes work.
In the past the field of journalism was dominated by men. Michelle said, “This was largely due to the fact that women did not have a particularly strong role in the work place.”
However, this has changed drastically throughout the years.
Provenzano said, “Women are just as motivated as men, I feel they have found their place in the work force.”
She already has an idea about what goals she wants to pursue. She wants to cover a professional or college sports team; particularly a women’s soccer team.
Eventually she is aiming for a career as a communications director for a sports team.
As our interview closed, she said “I’d like to combine my love for sports, writing, and production into a career in sports communication.” With her training at the UF College of Journalism, she is well on her way.
As our interview closed, she said “I’d like to combine my love for sports, writing, and production into a career in sports communication.” With her training at the UF College of Journalism, she is well on her way.
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