News Release July 17, 2008
NLGJA News > News Releases > July 17, 2008

NLGJA Announces 2008 National Convention Student Project Participants

The National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association is pleased to announce its 2008 National Convention Student Project class. 20 students interested in careers in journalism and communications have been selected to serve as the onsite news organization for “NLGJA Goes to Washington,” the organization’s 2008 National Convention & 5th Annual LGBT Media Summit, taking place August 21-24 in Washington, D.C.

A cornerstone program in NLGJA’s Leroy F. Aarons Journalism Education Program, the Student Project provides real-world experience to registered undergraduate and graduate students. LGBT and non-LGBT students selected for the Student Project work with professional mentors in print, online, video and radio to produce stories about NLGJA, the LGBT community and national news items of interest.

2008 marks the largest application pool ever received by the program. This year’s class of 20 students represents 19 colleges and universities in 15 states, including:

• Jean/Gene Beebe, Princeton University
  
• David Chong, University of Southern California
  
• Kandice Day, Arizona State University
  
• Colin Dugdale, Indiana University
  
• Jared Donald Grigsby, Ball State University
  
• Laniaya Hoofatt, Miami, Fla.
  
• Molly Ann Kearns, Columbia College Chicago
  
• Kaitlin Elizabeth Kolarik, Berry College
  
• Matthew Leung, Vassar College
  
• Zhi Chen “Frank” Lin, University of Chicago
  
• Alessandro Miranda, Emerson College
  
• Jenna Oskowitz, Temple University
  
• Jacqueline Payton, Delaware Technical Community College
  
• Keith Anthony Quinones, University of West Florida
  
• Oscar M. Raymundo, Northwestern University
  
• David Ray Reinbold, Pennsylvania State University
  
• Amanda M. Rice, Earlham College
  
• Laura K. Simmons, Bowling Green State University
  
• Katie Williams, University of Colorado
  
• Lauren Wright, Berry College
  

"Training programs for young journalists are critical during a time when so many news jobs are changing,” said Brett Zongker, a staff writer for The Associated Press who is coordinating this year’s Student Project. “These 20 students represent the future of NLGJA and the future of our industry. We’re excited to expose them to the real-world challenges of converging media and to connect these students with seasoned professionals.”

The Student Project newsrooms are led by professional journalists from news organizations like The Associated Press, The Washington Post, ABC News and National Public Radio.

NLGJA is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues. NLGJA opposes all forms of workplace bias and provides professional development to its members.

The Leroy F. Aarons Journalism Education Program is NLGJA’s programmatic tribute to the organization’s founder, Leroy F. Aarons. Aarons Program resources are designed to provide curriculum tools to college educators. More information about the Leroy F. Aarons Journalism Education Program can be found online at nlgja.org/education.

NLGJA’s 2008 National Convention & 5th Annual LGBT Media Summit, “NLGJA Goes to Washington,” will take place August 21-24 at the Hilton Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C. More information about the convention can be found online at nlgja.org/convention/2008.

Media Contact:

Jason Lloyd Clement
Director of Communications & Marketing
National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association
Office: 202-588-9888, ext. 12
Mobile: 202-386-2645
jlclement@nlgja.org