This year, The Manning Times has begun it’s first high-school internship program. Designed to engage the schools and to encourage young, budding journalists, the program started off well. Throughout the coming months, readers will notice school-based articles from our new journalists-in-training.
In recent weeks, each of the five high schools, both public and private, was approached with the offer of participation. The paper sought juniors or seniors who wanted to pursue a writing-based career path, or who felt writing would be beneficial to their chosen path.
Three schools responded with prospective participants, and the program was born.
Evelyn McDonald attends Manning High School as a senior. She plans to attend Francis Marion University after graduation, where she plans to pursue a career as an editor for a publishing house such as Scholastic or Penguin Books.
“I wanted the internship at The Manning Times to help further my writing career, as well as my editing career,” said McDonald. “I’m having a fantastic time working with the paper so far, and I’m really glad I was able to join the program.”
Sarah Middleton attends Scott’s Branch Middle/High School as a senior. She hopes to attend either the University of South Carolina or Charleston Southern University and pursue a major in business administration. She plans to pursue a career in real estate.
“I believe opportunities are key factors in making goals possible to achieve,” said Middleton. “In the profession I plan to pursue, being able to communicate is a crucial aspect of doing business. This internship has given me an opportunity to express my talent, as well as a passion, for writing and has also challenged my work ethic and helped me improve it. I am honored to have my work viewed by the people of this community and to be a spokesperson for my school.”
Leah London attends Laurence Manning Academy as a senior. She plans to attend the University of South Carolina, where she will study Broadcast Journalism in the College of Information and Communications. She recently completed an internship with a radio station and chose The Manning Times as her next internship opportunity.
“I decided to intern with the Manning Times to learn about what goes on behind the scenes of a newspaper and to learn how to communicate my thoughts in a concise manner. I hope I will be able to take this knowledge with me to the University of South Carolina,” said London.
The three students will contribute school-based articles, as well as occasional columns, as part of the program. Behind the scenes, the students will learn interviewing techniques, legalities of journalism such as FOIA rules and liability issues, writing rules as they apply to journalism, editing techniques and the basic functions of a local newspaper and its staff.
The Manning Times asks the community to help us welcome our newest staff members as they learn about the world of print journalism while keeping residents informed about the latest school news.
