A Big Family, Connections, Laughs, Personal Thoughts

​By Zaccheus White
 
On my first day at the Youth Media Project, I was very nervous; I really didn't know what to expect. All that was on my mind was, "This better be something interesting, Mom," since she's the one who had mentioned it to me five days earlier.
 
After arriving, I didn't know where to go. I was lost. Inside the building, I walked back and forth until I saw a security guard. I knew he probably wasn't going to know where I should go because I had little detail about what was going on. So with that, he just said go to the 18th floor, which had me scared. I mean, little do you know, elevators and I do not get along.

Laugh if you want, but yes, I'm frightened of elevators. After arriving on floor 18, I could not wait to exit, shivering, patiently waiting, and thinking negatively about the elevator. When I was walking around, I noticed less movement, then I came upon someone in an office and asked him about it; then he told me that it was actually the 13th floor. I was about to die knowing that I had to get back on the elevator, but I had guts and took my chance.

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On the 13th floor, after seeing balloons and a student walk into a room, I knew that had to be it. For me, walking in and seeing so many unknown, fresh faces was like starting a new school. After sitting down and listening to a woman speak about what was in store, my first thought was, "This is going to be boring."
 
I have learned that YMP's purpose is to bring together a group of young individuals to get their perspectives on major tragedies and allow them to speak up on them. Our talents are shown through writing, podcasting, video editing and photography, and YMP allows us to publish them in hopes for change, as well as express how we feel about certain issues.
 
I'm really grateful for being able to attend this amazing program and experiencing it with intelligent individuals; I'm also thankful for the ones who put this together and believe that we can make a change. That support makes people look at us and makes us feel great about ourselves. It could lead to the program gaining more teens such as ourselves.
 
Something I can't wait to do is take my photography to another level. It's more than just taking a picture. I want to learn more about the detailing of the pictures, like the different backgrounds and how different cameras can alter a photo. I would also like to evolve with my photography by seeing how others take pictures. As far as the podcasting and writing houses are concerned, I want to learn how to interview or at least come out of my turtle shell and maybe introduce my personal writings to the world.
 
Honestly, my favorite thing about YMP is that people are able to be themselves in a group of diverse individuals and show others what they're capable of. It makes me feel as if I'm a part of something amazing; I see them as the friends I've always wanted or, better yet, a big family. The Youth Media Project brings connections, laughs, personal thoughts, and more. I must say thank you so very much to each and every one of you.