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.

Thankful to Learn 'Rigorous Journalism'

6/13/2017

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by Makallen Kelley


In today’s world, it is a common misconception that the most successful people become successful on their own. In fact, it’s almost guaranteed that if you turn on the radio, you will hear songs proclaiming the act of grinding by themselves or getting to the top on their own. Although many may think this way, I’ve come to understand that this is not the case. Conrado I. Generoso said it best when he stated that “no man is capable of self-improvement if he sees no other model but himself.” 

​By the end of my junior year, I knew without a doubt that mentorship was the key to succeeding at my goals, which is exactly what I got when I entered the Mississippi Youth Media Project.
 

YMP, as we call it, is a summer program that exposes young individuals to several aspects within the media field. Over the course of nine weeks, students will participate in writing, videography, photography, podcasting, music production and web design. While engaging in these realms, YMP hopes to create change in the community and in the student’s hearts. 

After attending Mississippi Public Broadcasting's “Can I Kick It” program last summer, I was a little hesitant to join the YMP program, which MPB is now involved with. It seemed like all the effort I’d put into getting comfortable and creating at MPB was going to waste. Even though the YMP program was centered around media, I didn't know how I would fit into the “journalism world." After the first few days, though, my fears subsided in the accepting atmosphere of the YMP office. I came to realize that even though I wasn't doing the same thing as last summer, I was still in an environment where I could grow and be seen. 
          
Along with a great environment, YMP has an outstanding set of instructors. From the first day, I could tell every authoritative figure had the student’s best interest at heart. They were also quick to jump into showing us the ropes of journalism and media. Throughout our various sessions, I’ve gained an abundant amount of advice and information that can help me in any area of life. 

One lesson that stuck with me was the fact that the greats don’t always start off great. One fear that I had about coming into the YMP program was that I wouldn't be as good as the other students. Several students were published and had received awards for their work, whereas I was a simple newcomer with nothing close to their accomplishments. But after going over the "Process Approach to Writing," I learned that drafting and rewriting is all a part of the process and is the only way to see improvement. 
          
I’ve also learned the importance of “learning the monkey’s name." What started off as a fun story from Mrs. Lynne Schneider has turned into a slogan for us all. The idea of digging deeper into stories, grasping every detail and telling a narrative, is now engrained into our brains. I am so thankful to be able to experience such “rigorous journalism” and also to have the responsibility to create and report stories that not only touch others but also initiate change. 
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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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