Adviser Update Spring 2016 | Page 34

Schley, now a freshman at American University in Washington, D.C., says she chose to attend college in the nation’s capital to pursue her two passions, journalism and politics. “Studying communications in the heart of the city that is home to the best political journalism in the world is an unparalleled opportunity,” she wrote. “Journalism is so important to me because the press is commonly regarded as the fourth branch of government, acting in congruence with the checks and balance system to sustain America’s democracy.” Read Schley’s story for The Zephyr here. –––––––– Nathalie Mairena participated in the Peace Sullivan/ James Ansin High School Workshop in NATHALIE MAIRENA Journalism and New Media at the University of Miami. Mairena reported on the dangers workers face in recycling centers in her story “Sort of a mess” for Miami Montage. Workshop co-director Fred Blevens wrote in his recommendation: “Nathalie turned a routine feature into a layered, textured examination of municipal recycling programs. Her deep, thoughtful reporting was paired with a wonderful narrative touch.” Read Mairena’s story in the Miami Montage (p.18). Mairena, whose parents come from the free speech-restricted countries of Nicaragua and Colombia, dreams of being the first in her family to finish college and to pursue a career in journalism. PHOTOGRAPHY In her essay she wrote, “Studying journalism in college is the ultimate of all my dreams and those of my parents. Journalism is the task of bettering the world, of making an impact. I don’t know what could make my parents more proud than pursuing the things they hold dear, truth and knowledge.” Mairena is a senior at Miami Lakes Educational Center where she is the managing editor of The Harbinger student newspaper. Mairena wrote, “Through journalism, I’ve honed the ability to lead and sharpened my writing skills while living up to the cherished family value of freedom of speech.” Samanta Carias, a senior at Hialeah (Fla.) High School, came to America at age 10 from SAMANTA CARIAS Honduras not expecting to be able to go to college. Before long, she was succeeding in high school and realized college was not a distant dream. It was Carias’ picture for Miami Montage, published by the Peace Sullivan/James Ansin High School Workshop in Journalism and New Media at the University of Miami, which earned her scholarship. Her photo accompanied Nathalie Mairena’s “Sort of a mess” story, showing the dangerous conditions employees face in a recycling center.