Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 April 2003 — Page 7

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The Recorder JAWS section (journalism and Writing Seminars) is a nonprofit instructional program established through The Recorder Charities to provide students of color (interns) hands on training and exposure to the field of journalism. The goal is to encourage participants to pursue careers in journalism.

Youth produced television offers teens great opportunities

By Margarette and Victoria Griffin Recorder Interns There is sometiiing brewing in the basement of the Indiana Black Expo building. It’s not spy activity or anything secret in nature, as one might think. It’s a group of teen-agers working diligently on their own television show called “360 Degrees.” It all began 1$ years ago as YTW (Youth Technology Workshop), an af-ter-school program which offered an introductory course in production. “(There was) a need for minority children to become exposed to this type of media, since it is such a sought after career,” said Marvin Bardo, the technical coordinator at the Youth Video Institute. However, this program is not limited to minorities. All kinds of teens are able to take part in this program. This program spends approximately nine months training the students in every aspect of video production. In order for them to have the ability to continue in the technological field of their choice, it is recommended that they have some experience behind them. At YVI/ 360, the experience is available to be gained. The program has evolved from YTW, YTI (Youth Technology Institute) and YVI into the six year running television program “360 Degrees” which airs on

!§§ Marvin Bardo is technical coordinator for "360 Degrees." (Photos/J. Hurst)

Thursdays at 6 o’clock on MTV2. This particular program takes YVI up a notch and "presents a way to give the more advanced students the opportunity to express their newly acquired skills,” said Bardo. The amazing part is that the show is entirely produced, written, edited, and directed by the diverse student staff. “Here, I can gain experience working with high-tech digital editing equipment,” said K.C. Campbell 17, one of “360 Degree’s" diligent employees. The students work four to six hours a week after-school on Tuesdays

and Thursdays. But when the summer begins, the students gain the opportunity to work Mondays through Fridays, like a full time job. “It’s a great place to work and I have fun every time I go,” said Campbell. “I highly recommend it, and since I want to do this sort of thing when I grow up, I’m glad I’ve gotten the experience that I can use if and when I go into this profession,” said Marggy Griffin, also an employee. “Just recently, we filmed in a restaurant where they cooked the food right in front of you, and I tasted sushi for the first time.” The teen-agers are able to work in a social environment,

K.C. Campbell, a student at Lawrence Central, gains valuable experience as segment producer for the program. Students working in the Youth Video Institute include (left to right) Erika Washum, Maggie Ward and Scott Evans. doing something that they are able to be passionate about. “From the hours of five until eight, we are like one big happy family,” Griffin said. To become involved in Youth Video Institute, one must first fill out an application. And although it is a free program, there is limited class space, so it needs to be submitted to the Indiana Black Expo as soon as possible. For anyone who has ever wanted to be a director, editor, or even in broadcast journalism, this is a great way to gain the experience one needs to make that happen.

Teens suffer serious side effects from drug abuse

By Donesha Smith Southport High School Recorder Intern Drugs like marijuana and ecstasy are popular among teens today — but why? Studies show that 5 million teens in grades 7-12 have used marijuana in the last month. And 9.4 million have used it at least once. Marijuana use among teens has decreased, but the number is still high. More teens are seeing the serious physical and psychological side effects caused by using the drug. For those who think it’s fun and cool to get high, there are some not-so-great side effects. Some short-term side effects are problems with memory, trouble with prob-lem-solving, loss of coordination, and increased heart rate. Other side effects are trouble speaking, effective listening, retaining knowledge, and anxiety attacks. Marijuana also has an effect on concentrating while driving. It allows you to have slower reactions. For teens who think it’s the “in” thing to do, they’ll find that it’s not if you’re failing in school or lying in a hospital bed because of an anxiety attack or accident. Aaron Sterling, a junior at Southport, agrees that it’s not the popular thing to do. “It’s bad for you and affects the body for those who want to have children in the future. It kills brain cells. It just really messes you up.”

Sterling’s grandmother encourages him about doing the right thing and being successful without taking drugs. "My grandmother inspires me not to do drugs. She told me that the only way I can make it through this world is through abstinence, staying active, and staying away from drugs." Ecstasy is a stronger hallucinogenic drug used among teens. Use of ecstasy among 12th graders has doubled from 1998 to 2001, according to the Web site drugfreeaz.com. Ecstasy often has cartoon characters or popular company logos on the pills, which makes it appealing to take. Studies show that teens like the high that these pills give them, but not enough teens realize the short and long-term effects or even care about them. One student said she has used drugs for a while. “I started taking drugs just because I wanted to try it. Now I take them because I have an addiction to them. I smoke marijuana and take ecstasy every once in a while. My dad tries to encourage me to quit, but he doesn’t make me stop." Some ways to stop using drugs is going to a drug rehabilitation center, antibiotics, or substance abuse treatment. Some of the side effects include overeating, drinking, and sleeping, having chills, sweating, one’s body temperature rising, blurred vision, dehydration, and exhaustion.

Academy works to provide support for minority students

By Hilary Powell North Central High School Recorder Intern When student consultant Arron Shelby instituted the Multicultural Scholar’s Academy (MSA), in 2002 at North Central High School, his multi-task organization was simply a vision. His blueprint for success for minority students, founded on the basis of the school's AfricanAmerican Scholars program, consisted of five initiatives in support of students’ achievement and social unity. One year later, the organization has grown at the school in the absence of its founder. With Shelby on duty as a reservist in Iraq, MSA is learning community that connects parents, students, and teachers in a cycle of support for minorities. “We are not fully integrated and initiated, but we are in the stages of development," MSA director Michael Smith said, in light of Shelby’s absence. Since the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year. Washington Township Superintendent Eugene White has pushed for more outreach programs for minorities, particularly Black males. The MSA has since provided an outlet for minority achievement through such groups as the Multicultural Scholar’s Union, MSU, and the Freshman Cohort group for freshmen enrolled in honors courses. Students involved in the MSU participate in leadership development activities that highlight challenges for youth

today. "We have support from partner organizations The students had the opportunity to attend the annual such as the Center for Leadership Development, Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males currently facilitating the Minority Achievement Conference last Oct. 8. Gap Initiative,” Smith said. “The facilitators talked about the glass ceiling and said Dedicated to closing the achievement gap getting where you want to be in life requires having goals that exists between Black male students and and making sacrifices," said senior Corey Frye. their peers, the initiative gains insight from CLD, Founded in 1993 to improve the social, educational and which has had a long history of success working economic status of Black males in Indiana, the commis- with Black students in the state. Smith said, sion encourages the fostering of school and community "We talked to freshmen and sophomores about our partnerships targeting the success of Black males. Smith lives and how we maintain our GPAs," senior mentor said groups such as the Freshman Cohort are some of the Andre Pipkin said. “It is a great way to get introduced to most significant advancements Washington high school and helps you deal with high school and home Township has made to address minority schol- life." a r s. In efforts to bridge relations between home and school, “The program supports academics as well as the MSA has also offered outreach for first generation removes the isolation that can occur from being college students, encouraging scholars like senior Branden one of few African-American students in (hon- Scott to educationally invest in their future, ors) classrooms," said Smith. "IU groups is for kids who have had to overcome In addition, academic support for males, seminars like obstacles in college,” Scott said. "It gives children who Faith Belief and Integrity (FBI) provide motivation for don't think they can pay for college that hope they need." female students. Both organizations offer tutoring, Smith said the program plans to branch out to other mentoring, and conflict mediation training for student schools and students under Shelby’s vision of a commu-

members. Yet, the MSA has not limited its outreach to the school.

nity of learning. Though founded for the success of Black students, the effort continues to strive for multicultural

The program has gathered community support from unity.

statewide initiatives in support of academic and professional success.

"Like any program, we will need to find funding through grants to continue these initiatives." Smith said. "But we aspire to grow to include other and all cultural groups."

The Journalism and Writing Seminar (JAWS) program off the Indianapolis Recorder is seeking students ffor the 2003-2004 program year, which will begin in September. The mission of JAWS is to develop professional communication skills for youth who plan on pursuing a career In Journalism. JAWS facilitators offer students from various high schools in Indiana, instruction on research, interviewing, and writing for newspapers through seminars. If you are interested in applying for a JAWS internship, call the Recorder office at 317- | 924-5143 to obtain an application packet. Spaces are limited, so call today.