Brawley student selected for national journalism conference

Brawley Union student Rhett Smelser, a student at Brawley Union High School has been selected as a national youth correspondent at the 2022 Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC), July 10-15 at George Mason University.

Smelser will join a select group of students from all over the country for an intensive study of journalism and media, the university said in a release. He was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies, the release added.

The university described WJMC as a unique student leadership conference designed to develop and encourage future leaders in the changing face of media in the 21st century. The advisory board includes CEOs of media outlets, distinguished journalists and renowned authors and university faculty.

National youth correspondents participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical, and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media, the university said. The experiential portion of the program is complemented by speakers who are well-known leaders in the media community.

Presenters include prominent journalists, CEOs of major media outlets, researchers and recent college graduates successfully entering the field. Past speakers have included Hoda Kotb from NBC, Brian Lamb from C-SPAN, Pulitzer-Prize-winning photographer Carol Guzy, and Susan Goldberg from National Geographic.