Lauren Taflinger

It’s crazy to think that it’s been only two weeks; two weeks filled from eight in the morning to midnight with crazy deadlines, several journalistic fields and people from not only California but as far as South Korea. I remember waiting for several months to find out if I would be lucky enough to attend CSPA, I mean only 25 people? I was really unsure of myself.

Now that I’ve has the fortune of attending this workshop, I’m going to miss the deadlines, late nights and unexpected breaking stories. But for the most part, I’m going to miss the people I met here. Now, I’m not one to ever get emotional about leaving a group of people or camps, but the people ere have really influenced the way I look at journalism and just day to day activities. Teachers taught me more in a few days than I may learn in a month of school, and it’s actually information I’ll use in real life! (Almost a first) They allowed me to take a deeper look into if journalism is the right major for me , and how to pursue that passion.

But, this camp would be nothing without all the friends I’ve made here. I won’t forget our late night ‘pow wows’ or how we TP’d our neighbors’ room. Or my awesome room mates (I’ll be honest, I was a little nervous about our threesome) and Jenny’s quote-able statements. I won’t forget Hannah and I going crazy from lack of sleep after our wonderful counselors woke us up at two in the morning, or just how great our counselors were! Thanks for being easy to talk to and helping us out whenever we needed it, you’re personal experiences have taught me a lot. I’m excited to say I’ve gotten that chance to meet all these people, and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us. (I hope we all keep in contact) Thanks for the experience, it’s two weeks I’ll always remember.

1)   Diversity of classes: CSPA offers everything from Broadcasting to sports, allowing students to try fields of journalism they would not otherwise test themselves or have an opportunity to do in high school.

2)   Connections: The CSPA workshop staff are highly ranked journalists, who also work in varying areas of the journalism field. Some teachers even work in jobs that students didn’t know were available as journalistic outlets.

3)   Students with common interests: Working with 24 other students who share a common goal or interest allows for quicker and stronger relationships to form that will last a life time.

Poor Bartholomew, after my lovely relaxing day at the beach..his had been rather unfortunate I must say. (Since he can’t talk, obviously) When I took the poor fellow out of  the bag, he was covered in sand, and both eyes were missing! So let’s take a look into his point of view….

“Ehem, I love how I was forgotten once again. Left to the inside of a dark cold pocket, while it was perfectly beautiful weather outside. Along with a nice view I might add. I got dragged mercilessly  around, while Lauren got to enjoy the tasty foods of Avila Beach-some delicious home-made cake batter ice cream…an artichoke panini..just thinking of the smell makes my mouth water! So unjust..so unjust. And while she got to enjoy the rays of summer sun, basking in its glory, I was still there..dark, and alone. Nor did I get to participate in building a sand..er..castle? with Hannah and Rachelle. No, I was bored, blind and bickering. I don’t even know how I became covered in dirty sand, she didn’t bother taking me out!  You know, she hasn’t even bothered placing my eyes back where they belong? I guess I’m just not worth it anymore hmm? I will not endure this injustice any longer. Something must be done.”

1) You could do a map (small relative size) of the damaged area behind the school, marking any houses nearby and what was damaged during the fire. As the fire spreads you can document it, perhaps adding a video tour once the fire is finished to go along with your map. (Show videos relative to their spots on the map, clickable)

2) You can post videos of firefighters trying to contain the fire, as well a interviews with them and what they are going to protect the school and surrounding areas. Your video may/can also contain interviews with school staff and students who attend the school.

3) You can make a packing list for your readers, in case they have to deal with a fire and a list so they can rank items in importance. This would also include local evacuation areas, and spots locally known for having a fire in the past few years.

Wait…twenty six teenagers using their precious summer time to spend several hours a day writing articles? This is madness! Actually, this is CSPA. It’s amazing how being in a group where 25 other people share a common interest raises the community level significantly. When I look around I see my newly made friends typing intently and continuously checking the clock till deadline. Afterward, I find the small amount of free time we have filled with fun conversations- we talk about subjects that all of us seem to commonly find interesting. Even if we know it or not. The amount of time it takes for us to feel comfortable around one another seems less to me than at other camps I’ve attended, where people break into cliques or can’t find something to talk about. I feel so fortunate to attend a place where I can not only quickly make friends during my two weeks here, but for life.

During Kevin Bowman’s sophomore year of high school, he and his Amador Valley high school band took a 10 hour flight to perform in London’s New Years Day parade. Bowman flew to London for the first time, leaving on Christmas day with the rest of the band, and returning after a week’s stay. They had been selected four years prior to-and every year since-to participate in the parade, however financial setbacks made it impossible to attend every year. It was decided by the teacher that they would attend once every four years, in order for everyone to go once during their high school career.

Before traveling to England, Kevin practiced once each week during December for  three to four hours. On the crisp cool New Years day, Kevin marched the streets playing an Auld Lang medley proudly. When his band isn’t out gallivanting to world broadcast ed events, each year they venture off on a camping trip or perform in Los Angeles or Fresno. “[The parade] was a lot of fun, it was really pretty cool to participate in an important event like that where the world can watch,” said Bowman. “It’s an experience I’ll remember forever.” Dominick Burnham, Steven Gilbert, and Kevin Bowman enjoy the plane ride to London England.

It didn’t hit me till our “Journalism and history” class, that every second that passes us by is just a mere point in history and that we’re living in it. We’re not only surrounded by it- we’re breathing  it, participating in it and as journalists it’s our job to document these important events. It reminded me that it’s important not to get stuck in the past, but to focus on our here and now, and sometimes leave  a little thinking to the future. Because with every minute, hour and day history is being created. People are changing the world, or acting in such a manner that the future will be changed. Our actions carry on into the future, and by documenting what surrounds us and what we find important, we mark not only recent events, but how they will contribute to the future of our history. As a hopeful future journalist, I feel lucky to take part  in this marveling concept, that our future generations will look back on. That we should look on as it takes place around us. But you don’t have to be a journalist to make history, or document it-You just have to aspire to acknowledge and make of the most of it as it passesyous by, and guides you into the future.

After touring the local KSBY news studio on Tuesday, my interest in broadcast journalism dramatically altered. You know how in the movies they make it seem like this glamorous job, with funny quotes and beautiful people. Those people have A LOT to do. I can’t fathom the amount of work it takes to record your own story, then edit it and such. I find it a little insane. That is partly what I love about journalism, the tension-but that takes it to a whole new level. Guess I’ll be reconsidering that one.

So I guess I’ll keep it going with Bartholomew’s update. After a day of serious physical activity, I went to take Bartholomew out of my backpack pocket that he is so lucky to inhabit, to discover he was missing an eye. (I guess the sink wasn’t the best thing for him) Being the kind person I am, I quickly once again pushed the korean jack back into its holding place, giving Bartholomew full vision once more. He quickly took a picture with me in the fresh air during our backpack…then was quickly stuffed back. (For his safety ofcourse)

If I had to guess Bartholomew’s P.O.V. throughout the day it would go something like this:

“After brutally dunking me in running water yesterday, she has the gall to stuff me into a nylon bag where I can neither breathe nor see. I’m so obviously at the top of her priority list. Oh but don’t bother with worrying about me getting air or light, that hardly matters when I have an EYE missing. So not only is there no oxygen, but alas I can’t see-with only ONE eye. Oh but those few sweet seconds in the fresh air. I was blinded at first by the bright sun, and once again gained sight from both of my eyes. (Finally) Oh but, did the fun continue? Of course not. I was tossed-with no care may I add- back into the bag and into darkness. And to top it all off, my eye is coming loose once more.”

Don’t let her appearance fool you, inside hides a girl who cheers against my ever-so-talented sports teams (Not) and spikes against my intimidating volleyball team (I’m kidding again..about my team being intimidating that is) My eye caught the page when I read the attending list for the upcoming CSPA camp, and there was Chadwick. (Our schools compete together in our league) When I think of Chadwick, I think of that one really fast girl on the cross country team who I’ll never beat and the two hour long bus trips that fill up my nights during track/XC season. When I arrived I quickly made sure I would get to know the enemy who I would share living quarters with. Although Ally may be from a rival school, I learned both of us share the same ideas- How Mayfield is easily the worst team we go up against, and the long bus rides are very long, and super tiring. (Especially after you lose a game) Both of our sports teams gather before games and gossip about the others, but in good fun. It goes to show that you can’t judge someone based solely on where they come from or just who or what they may be associated with. I’m fortunate to say I’ve made a friend behind enemy lines.