Thankful to Learn 'Rigorous Journalism'

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.