The Dreaded Friday, July 2nd; Departing WJMC and Reflection

It came so fast, yet so slowly, before I could get myself together for a goodbye, reality came knocking on my door. When I first received a golden letter from The Washington Journalism and Media Conference, I had no idea what it was, where it was, who was George Mason, why was this letter sent to me and how I was to get myself there. I sent my application in and anxiously waited an answer. When admitted, I was faced with the task of raising enough money to pay for the conference and airfare from little Bountiful, Utah. Along the way, I found that people are extremely generous and there are people out there who care. I found my family and friends to be my backbone, and most importantly, I grew in many ways and in many relationships.Finally, all these questions were answered with a deep meaning and a personal change of character. The journey of getting there alone felt like the purpose of the whole conference, but life likes to keep the best in store and surprises just around the corner. Washington D.C. came sooner than expected amongst a busy month of June where I was only home for a full week in between summer trips and activities. As I thought about the ever approaching date, June 27th, I worried that maybe I would find myself amongst people who were too out of my league, that these people would be intensely political and hardcore journalists, I was soon proven so so so wrong as the people I met were just like me, young journalists with a passion and an ambition to be the best that they could be and always taking life's challenges head on. These future journalists taught me many values and grew in my heart. I know I did not meet them just because, these exceptional friends were put on my path for a reason; I had to learn and grow from them.

The people I met and the friendships I made will forever be in my heart. Experiences have changed me. I realized that this conference gave me all I ever asked for, it gave me certainty that this is the path that I am to follow in life and again, that whatever I set my mind to, I can accomplish.

I met with people on the field, the advice I was given was golden. Professionals I had never even dreamed of meeting,I met. I went to places I thought I would only read about in history books, watch on television and movies and see pictures of.

The once in a lifetime opportunity, and I took it. I made the most of it and it made the most of me. I wish I could stay forever at WJMC! Since I cannot, the experience will always be with me.

The Epic Thursday, July 1st, at WJMC

I woke up with the utmost enthusiasm, it was the day I had been looking forward to ever since my arrival at the campus. My anxiety towards the day was not because I wanted to leave, on the contrary, I still wish I was at campus with all the amazing people I met around me and the outstanding staff and speakers who made this experience so remarkable; no, my anxiety was in result to the Foreign Affairs Panel and speakers that day, (one of which exceeded already high expectations; Rajiv Chandrasekaran.) This panel marked as my favorite not only because I am greatly attracted to Foreign Affairs and aspire to pursue a career as a Foreign Correspodent, but the fact that this panel, different from the past panels, consisted of three women, three powerful, influential women who proved most inspiring. Karen DeYoung, the associate editor and senior diplomatic correpodent for the Washington Post, Anne Gearan, the national security correspondent for the Associated Press and Susan Glasser, executive editor of Foreign Policy whom I got the opportunity to thank personally for assuring me that this was indeed a subject I am deeply passionate about.

Finally the speaker I was most eager to meet, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, the senior correspondent and associate editor of the Washington Post and the author of the book Green Zone and Imperial Life in the Emerald City (both books which I wish to read in the near future). Rajiv will go back and forth between the Middle East, where he sometimes will stay for months at a time, and the United States, reporting stories.

After our group Story Conference, which I found most invigorating, we were set loose to get ready for the Gala. We ate and we danced the night before our dreaded departure.

The girls from the "golden" group.

Jose and I posing by the cool ice sculpture!

Wednesday, July 30th at WJMC.

I have finally found some time to finish of the record

off one of, if not, my most life changing experience. I will begin where I left off, on Wednesday, June 30th.

That morning I woke up a little later than usual as the day before was most tiring. I hurried to breakfast with my roommate and soon found myself on the bus closing in on our destination, a captivating modern architecture that I fell quickly in love with; The USA Today/Gannet building. I walked through the doors and down the hall to the Gannet CO., Inc. Auditorium where I was greeted by Jodi Gersh, the social media content manager for USA Today/Gannet and Vaughn Ververs, the political editor for msnbc.com. As I sat through the "New Media Panel", I was once again reminded why I love media and journalism. I felt the same spark that had started my amazing journey five years ago in a Publications class taught by the outstanding Kenna Rodgers who changed my life forever. That morning I heard different perspectives of new media I had not heard before; this really opened my mind to diverse ways of thinking. While speakers before had talked on maintaining articles unbiased, Jodi Gersh shared her particular view;

"You wouldn't want to read a completely unbiased article."

-Jodi Gersh; USA Today/Gannet

Though I cannot agree fully to such a statement, it really got me thinking. Some articles can be biased and still maintain ethics while other may demand a unbiased format. This will sway with the nature of the subject.

Later, in that same auditorium, I was suddenly in a mock press conference with Michael Shear, the Washington Post's chief White House Correspodent and Nick Shapiro, the Assistant White House Secretary.

By 2pm I was on my way to the Capitol building where yet another dream came true. Here I was, taking pictures at the same place I had always only seen pictures of. As I did not have the opportunity to meet with my senator, I did accompany my friend Haleigh from Colorado to meet her representative. Unfortunately, Congress was in session and we met with the chief of staff. As we talked with him, my mind was again opened to new perspectives on today's media. This visit encouraged me to become a better writer and journalist, someone who later generations can look up to.

That evening, we had the charismatic Andrew Flagel, the Dean of Admissions at George Mason University, give us a few tips on college admissions. Afterwards, we watched Green Zone, a movie which was almost intantly put on my 'favorites' list.