Young journalism scholars join U-T

Readers will once again this year be able to see the work of a group of teenage journalists, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Union-tribune’s Community Journalism Scholars program will begin its ninth year Monday.

The last two years six high school students were chosen for the summer internship program. But this year, the applicants were so impressive that seven were chosen, said Michael Price, the U-T’S design director, who also takes the lead in running the program.

The applications involved a personal statement, two writing samples, a letter of recommendation and a live-video interview with two U-T staff members.

The teens have always used the U-T newsroom as a base for their stories while using a variety of media tools, but this year they will be unable to because of the coronavirus. The program will have to be conducted totally remotely this summer, Price said.

“This year’s program primarily will be focused on reporting and writing, with special attention paid to critical thinking, objectivity, accuracy, fairness, interviewing, research, media literacy and the coverage of social justice issues,” he said.

The program runs through Aug. 20. During the next month, as the young journalists complete their stories, their work will posted on the U-T’S website. Their final projects will be published in a Sunday print edition.

SDG&E sponsors the program through a grant from the Sempra Foundation. (The interns are paid.) The U-T underwrites a $5,000 scholarship for the outstanding scholar.

Here are the interns for this year’s Community Journalism Scholars Program:

Kate Ahn, Rancho Bernardo High School; Fei Chan, Serra High School; Martha Contreras, Pacific Ridge School; Rachael Hudak, Westview High School; Jordan Premmer, Otay Ranch High School; Harshawn Ratanpal, Rancho Bernardo High School; and Angel Sta. Maria, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.

adrian.vore@sduniontribune.com