NEW ORLEANS JUNIOR JOURNALISM PROGRAM
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Mission Statement
JRNOLA empowers underrepresented youth ages 14 through 18 for careers in print, photography, and broadcast media, particularly young women and people of color. We offer real-world experience covering local stories of impact under the guidance of media professionals. We provide pathways to literacy, professional development, and civic engagement.
About This Cause
JRNOLA provides student-mentor relationships, access to technology and publishing opportunities for aspiring journalists. In addition to volunteer professional members of the mainstream media, mentors are also recruited from local public relations and communications professionals, colleges and universities, television, print (including online only) and radio outlets. Interns are recruited from local universities, where students receive college or volunteer credit, or in limited (though hopefully expanding) cases, financial compensation for their work with our program. The program currently utilizes multiple ad-hoc channels to recruit high school students interested in the communications field. These channels include online, social media, printed pamphlets and flyers, and word of mouth. All students are admitted into the program based on an application and the submission of writing samples. Each student, regardless of discipline, must submit a writing sample for acceptance, and is required to write regularly to maintain continued participation in the program. Based on their interests and passions, student journalists report on sports, arts, culture, news, fashion, food, music and other topics of local interest. Students interested in the sports media may enter the program covering New Orleans Recreational Development Commission (NORDC) sporting events, then earning an assignment to cover and report on Friday night high school football games, then earning a press box seat or sideline photo pass to cover a Tulane University football game, followed by press box or sideline assignments for New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans, or college football bowl games. With each editorial assignment they complete in the program, they earn additional coverage opportunities throughout the city. In 2017 and 2018, our sports writers, for example, earned media passes to cover high school football, college football, college Bowl games, Saints and Pelicans games, exclusive one-on-one interviews, and even comprehensive WrestleMania coverage. Similar coverage opportunities were earned by our students covering theater, film, concerts, festivals and local politics. Treated exactly like credentialed members of the media, JRNOLA students cover events from behind the scenes, the press box, sidelines, courtside, or backstage. Through these real-world writing opportunities, students cultivate literary skills, prepare a portfolio and develop their voice while gaining confidence, experience and relationships that will serve them throughout their academic and professional careers. Our high school students leave the program with a portfolio of published work, a network of professional mentors, and the confidence to make their voices heard beyond the boundaries of the classroom. Their stories are published on the program’s website (JRNOLA.org), and considered for publication on other media platforms, including through partnerships with local media outlets. Students are also offered opportunities to participate in field trips, including tours of working newsrooms, attendance at City Council meetings, or other educational experiences.