Mississippi Youth Media Project
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YMP Student Voices

Hear from our current class of 2017 Youth Media Project participants in their own words.

Nothing Short of Amazing

6/13/2017

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by Maisie Brown

My experience during my second summer at YMP has been nothing short of amazing. Even though we’ve only been here for a few days this summer, I will alway cherish the friendships and happiness I’ve received. From the first day I arrived, there seemed to be a sea of fresh, excited faces seemingly eager to dive into the work ahead.  I’ve met and engaged with so many different kinds of people at one time. The moment we all met, there was an instant bond where we knew we could communicate freely and respectfully within our groups. 

I also found that the returning students all changed in many ways. Sean was taller than I’d remembered, Maggie’s balance had become increasingly worse, and my tedious makeup practice over the year had finally given me a full face of pay-off. Seeing the familiar faces, along with new excited faces, eased any sense of nervousness or doubt I had before entering the building. 

From the first day we entered, we were immediately greeted with mentors I knew I’d love instantly! I could tell they genuinely cared for our well-being and wanted us to have the best experience possible. 
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Honestly in the beginning, though, I thought the activities and things we were going over were pointless. As we did group icebreakers and bonding exercises, I couldn’t help but think, “Why are we even talking about this? Shouldn’t this be things we all already know? Why can’t we just get to the work?” 


Now that we’re five days in, and I’ve had the opportunity to observe everyone and their thought processes, I understand why we took so much time to do these things. Establishing expectations, goals, and identifying one’s strengths and weaknesses are critical to an efficiently functioning work environment, especially one involving many developing teenagers. I know the lessons I have picked up will be beneficial in the future when I plan on owning a business. 

Overall, I know I will enjoy the people I’m surrounded by this summer and am extremely excited for what is to come. I know with all of the brilliant ideas and personalities, we will together produce amazing work that will hopefully inspire other youth across to pursue their dreams and tell their stories.
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Major Sponsors and Supporters of YMP

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Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) is a leader in informational broadcasting. MPB has exhibited a commitment to educating and informing Mississippians. MPB has partnered with YMP to lend tech equipment and provide youth engagement and media specialists to train students. 
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E3, a project of Parents of Public Schools of Jackson (now Ask for More), supported YMP in summers 2016 and 2017 with stipends for students, and other  resources.
The Community Foundation of Greater Jackson (now The Community Foundation of Mississippi) is the
​fiscal sponsor for E3.
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Podastery Studios in downtown Jackson offers a network of locally produced podcasts. Beau York, founder of Podastery, has generously donated his time to train YMP students in podcasting skills and allowed Youth Media Project students to borrow professional podcasting equipment to learn
​production skills.
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Dialogue Jackson, formerly Jackson 2000 Inc., is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to fostering understanding and building harmony between people of different races, ethnicities and backgrounds. The group became YMP's fiscal sponsor in 2017 and hosts youth dialogues for teens.. 

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Choice Printing in downtown Jackson is an in-kind sponsor of YMP offering YMP copying and printing services from its Capitol Towers location.

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Good Design & Code >>

Good Design & Co offers high-end UI/UX, web development, app development and branding services. Principal J.C. Hiatt is helping YMP students publish their own website for stories, video, podcasts and more.
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Jackson-based Workplace Solutions by Barefield is a Steelcase authorized dealer offering high-end office furniture and technology solutions. Workplace Solutions has loaned chairs, mobile desks and mobile whiteboards to create a collaborative office for YMP participants.

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Jackson-based Fuse.cloud (formerly Broadband Voice) offers Voice-over-IP phone systems, fiber Internet connections and technical services. Fuse.cloud has sponsored phones, VoIP phone service and technical assistance for YMP.

SPECIAL THANKS TO DR. GEORGE SCHIMMEL and NATALIE IRBY FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS OF PRODUCTION IMACS FOR THE YOUTH MEDIA PROJECT.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO YMP.
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