Reflection-Kathryn Carlisle

We were asked to do a blog on some aspect of our experience here at Georgetown. Honestly, I don't know what to write about...the classes have been wonderful, different than I expected, but great. And the field trips, they've been so informative. I've learned so much about journalism and how it works, especially here in DC. I'm so thankful to our professors, Erin, Jen, Shawn and SCS for putting on this program for us.

The thing I have to say is: the people here have been the best part of this experience.

You know, most workshops or camps are a week long, two if you're lucky. We have been here, living together, learning together, for three weeks. I know it doesn't sound like a long time, but when you spend every waking moment with people from your class you really begin to understand them. These are friendships that I hope will last a very long time. I've been amazed at how twenty kids from all over the country became such great friends in a matter of days. I've learned things about places all over the world. From Korea to Texas, China to Oregon...and lots about DC, we've experienced the world through each other.

Within the next day, as we each depart, I hope that we each realize how lucky we've been to have had the opportunity to come to Georgetown. I hope that we all keep in touch. Most of all I hope we never forget the experiences and the time we've spent together.

It's the end of the world as we know it

On this, our final field trip, I learned the most about myself. I learned that, deep down I am still a little kid who idolizes the 'big people' on T.V. I learned that being a journalist is the coolest job that anyone could ever have the opportunity to do. And finally, that learning is the one constant in life we can always depend on.

When I first arrived at Georgetown, and sat listening to Dr. DiConti and Ridgeway speak about cura personalis, I thought it was an interesting point, but not much more. However, the more I walked around campus, and got a feel for life as a Hoya I realized that life is worth everything that it throws at us. For all the hard times, and tragedies in life there is always someone who inspires you to forget them all, and live to your greatest potential. In my case, that person was Anne Shroeder, gossip blogger at The Politico. Ms. Shroeder’s love for her job, and courage of conviction truly inspires me to chase my dreams of being a journalist.
Walking through the news studio at WJLA was, for me, like walking on cloud nine. Watching the meteorologist report the weather, and the anchor women report the news, both as if it were just another day on the job, was really magical.

So now that our time is drawing to a close, and people are packing up to head back to their corners of the country, I’m sad because I’ve learned a lot from these people. The only thing I can hope for is that I always remember them, and what I learned here in this, our own little world, because it’s the end of our world as we know it.

Final Wrap-Up Thing

We were advised to do a "final wrap-up thing," so here goes:
This has been a truly unique experience with all of you here, and I'd like to thank my teachers and fellow students for their kindness and the effort they have put into this workshop. You will all stay in my thoughts throughout the year, and if you ever want to contact me, my email address is suzannah_weiss@fa.org. Good luck to everybody with applying to colleges, and have a fantastic school year.
--Suzy

Nearing the End

On the last day of my journalism workshop, I sit in class watching the end of my memories at Georgetown slip by with the time. Its sad, but I look back on these three weeks with a funny sort of triumph. I met amazing new friends, became accustomed to Georgetown University, and learned about a possible career path. I realized that I can go to a college outside of Texas. Stepping outside of my comfort zone is not as hard as I initially thought. I would love to be able to return to Georgetown University next year. I love having friends all around the country and hope that I will be able to keep contact with them in the years to come. We have all already decided that a reunion next summer is absolutely necessary. I realized that journalism is possibly one of the most enthralling and exciting jobs that you could have and one day I would enjoy being a stringer. Even if I don't end up a journalist, I am glad I participated in this program and learned what it would be like. The experience is one that I hope I will never forget.

Politico/ WJLA-Kathryn Carlisle

Everyone idolizes the faces we see on TV right? Somehow, because they are inside that black box, we assume they are some sort of celebrity or something.

Well, yesterday we saw where the magic happens. We were fortunate enough to see the control room and set of ABC affiliate WJLA channel 7 along with the location of Politico, an upcoming political newspaper here in DC.

We spoke with a lot of young reporters from Politico, along with the veterans who are running the company. It's so interesting to see them working together to create a new, innovative product with the integrity of the experienced papers.

WJLA/Politico trip!-Kelly B

Yesterday we got the opportunity to visit a new magazine called Politico. We spoke with various reporters and met some great people. All of their jobs sounded really intriguing. I especially enjoyed hearing Shananagin's gossip columnist. My absolute favorite part of the trip though was watching WJLA news live. I thought it was really exciting being behind the scenes of a real live news station. It was amazing getting to see the anchors live infront of the cameras because it was a great opportunity to see professionals doing what I am aspiring to do in the future. It was one of my favorite trips throughout this program! I also enjoyed hearing Kelly and the man, Michael, who just got back from Bush's speech, speak about their jobs at Politico. It really fascinated me and made me realize how much I would love to work/get an internship for ABC news.

Politico and WJLA trip

Today is our last day at Georgetown, and it's safe to say that the past three weeks in D.C. went by too fast. This program has been a truly unique experience and a lot different from my expectations. First of all, I didn't think that there would be only 20 kids in the program. It was weird at first, but having such a small group turned out to be a positive thing. We all got to know each other, which would not have happened if there were 100 students here. Also, I didn't think we would be learning about journalism in such a hands-on way. In past journalism workshops I've attended, the classes were mostly lecture-based. In this workshop, I got to do some amazing things that I might not ever be able to do again, like sit in on a Pentagon press briefing, or speak to the First Lady's press secretary.

Yesterday we visited the Politico newsroom and the WJLA studio. This was an exciting field trip because we got to see a typical newsroom in action. Several editors and writers took the time out of their day to talk to us and give us the inside information on life as a journalist. One thing that surprised me was how young some of the journalists were. Several of them had recently graduated from college. Going to the WJLA studio was also a fascinating experience. It made me appreciate news anchors a lot more because I can only imagine how difficult it is to read of a teleprompter so quickly and still sound natural. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice people were in the newsrooms, and how they were willing to talk to us high school students.

House/Senate Press Gallery Reaction Piece

The United States Capitol is an amazing place. I learn something new every time I go there, and this visit was no different. This is the first time I have experienced both the House of Representatives and the Senate live and in session. Viewing our nation's active democracy first-hand is an unparalleled privilege. I have read in my government text book about how a bill becomes a law, but by seeing the congressmen in action I was able to become an eye-witness of the process. I enjoyed learning about ear-marks and appropriations in congress. These techniques made me realize that a member of congress must not only pass their bill, but fund it as well.
Another great part of Tuesday's field trip was our chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at the job of a journalist on Capitol Hill. By visiting both the House and Senate press galleries, I learned exactly how journalists are able to come to congressional sessions to gather information. The element that really excited me was that these journalists come to capitol hill to report on issues that matter in the United States. Government in the U.S. is always changing. Every day our history is in the making. The journalist's job is to distribute this information to the public, to unite people in information by expressing their right to freedom of press. During our class's visit to the capitol and press galleries, my eyes were opened to the important processes and experiences of a journalist's job on Capitol Hill.

Pentagon Reaction Piece

Upon arrival at the pentagon, I was immediately surrounded by groups of seemingly very important people and military personnel. These officials combined with the strict security we underwent made me realize how important and secretive the Department of Defense really is. When we sat in on the press briefing, I felt I was experiencing first-hand the transparency of government. I was able to sit in on a report from Iraq even before it had been digested and reported on by the media. Although the briefing was only summarizing the progress of one area, the commander's optimistic outlook on his troops' successes overturned some of my previous skepticism regarding United States efficacy in Iraq. The journalists we spoke to after the briefing were very experienced and offered some of the more valuable information I have received in terms of actually becoming a journalist. I now know that I need to work specifically on my journalistic writing skills, not just my writing skills in general. These professionals also provided insight into different fields of journalism such as producing, to which I had not been previously exposed. In our tour, I was surprised by how jovial the men in the shiny military uniforms were. I enjoyed visiting the 9-11 memorial, and learning about the $20,000, bomb-proof, green windows. I feel very lucky to have gotten to take a glimpse into life at the Pentagon.

One Thing I've Learned Here

One thing I’ve definitely learned here is the difference between the North and South of the U.S. Or, rather, between the Northeast and the rest of the country.

Difference #1: Politics. If you are a Republican in my school, you are verbally attacked. If you are a Republican here, it’s no big deal. In fact, it’s just as common as being a Democrat. Also, if you support the war here, it’s not as weird as supporting the war in New York. Many people I’ve met support and respect our troops and don’t see a military career as a waste (I especially noticed this at the Pentagon).

Difference #2: Religion. I’ve had people here ask me, “Do you go to church often?” Um . . . do I go to what? News: I’m not Christian. Where I live, there are probably about as many Jews as Christians, and nobody assumes you’re a certain religion. For all they know, you are atheist, Buddhist, agnostic, Hindu, or a zillion other things they don’t even know about.

Difference #3: Time. Where I live, being on time is a big deal. If you’re late, you’re counted out of whatever you missed. Being on time is seen as a sign of respect. Here, people are much more laid back, which drives me crazy because of my neurosis (believe me, I’m crazy enough already!)

Difference #4: Geographic diversity. Never before have I heard such a variety of accents—Northern, Southern, Western, Midwestern—I’ll keep it vague to avoid singling out certain people. However, I did notice there were far less international students here than I have found at other college programs.

Difference #5: College. In my area, college is a HUGE DEAL. If you don’t go to a “name brand” school, you feel like you’ve failed. I’d say about one in three students in my school applies to Yale. We live for college. Our whole lives and high school careers are aimed toward the possibility of admission to a prestigious university. Here, people are much more laid back about the whole thing—some people here are only applying to two are three schools, and some don’t know where they’re applying. I envy that people can remain so calm and relaxed throughout this nail-biting experience.

I hope everyone has a safe ride back and a fun rest of the summer.

--Suzy

Lessons Learned at the Lincoln Memorial

"You all are from Lincoln, Nebraska and are assigned to create a photo essay based on pictures from the Lincoln Memorial. You have an hour and a half to complete this assignment."

I stand baffled as my photojournalism instructor gives my class instructions on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial overlooking the water across from the Washington Monument. How are we supposed to fill up an hour and a half simply taking pictures of the Lincoln Memorial?

Fifteen minutes go by. I have walked up the steps and taken pictures of whoever seemed interesting--security guards, bikers, you name it. Then, I go up to the Lincoln Memorial. It greets me with its usual air of grandeur. I take pictures from every angle possible then contemplate taking pictures of the lady next to me. She says yes, and I get several photographs and walk on.

Now what? I have taken pictures of the steps, the memorial, and the views from the steps and from the memorial.

I have taken every picture possible.

Or so I thought.

But then, if I hold the camera at a new angle, I get a new picture.

And if I change the aperture and shutter speed (I am not an expert, so most of this was fairly random), two photographs of the same view can came out as completely different images.

And, if I back up, move in, move to the side, twist the camera lens as I take the picture, or wait for more people to come up, I can create an image that is purely original, purely my own, something that no one else has made.

So, taking photographs is like life. We may stand witness to the same view, but we all have different perspectives and takes on a situation. That's what photojournalism is all about: putting your own take on a mundane (or unusual) view of life to create a unique and original work of art.

--Suzy

Politico and WJLA

Today Georgetown journalism students went to visit the a political newspaper The Politico, and the ABC TV news station WJLA in Arlington, Virginia. Students spoke with enthusiastic reporters of the Politico. They spoke of how they loved their jobs, what they do, and how they got into political journalism. The speaker who appealed to most students was "Shenanigans" gossip columnist Anne Schroeder. Her lifestyle was grabbing to students; as they were entertained by her stories of her wacky experiences as a gossip columnist.
After speaking with reporters from Politico, students got to sit-in on the afternoon airing of ABC news. Students were entertained by watching the fast-paced action on set. Cameras moved on their own accord like robots from the anchor's desk to the weather man's green screen.
The afternoon was exciting, and students learned a lot about the world of print and broadcast journalism.

Dorm Life

The dorm experience i've had in Georgetown is very different from my previous ones. The past two summers i had college dorm experiences at both JHU and Yale. By far, this camp gave students the most freedom. At the camps in JHU and Yale, there were specific boundaries around campus that students could not go past or face expulsion. But at this journalism program, students can go anywhere as long as they are back by 11 pm. It is so refreshing to have the adults put so much trust into us.
Also, this is the fist university i've stayed at that offers private bathrooms for each dorm room. Now there are pros and cons to this accommodation. The pros would be having more privacy and not having to worry about snatching a shower stall before the other students. The cons would be having to clean the bathroom yourself and keeping it tidy.
I really like how Georgetown is embedded in this busy yet not messy town. Students can go shopping or eating at the some of the best places, but they don't have to worry about their safety as much as they would if they were in NYC.
If i could do it all over again, i might have chosen to not be a commuter and live on campus. But i don't know if i would want to pay $500 to live on a campus i live 10 minutes away from.

Politico and WJLA Visit: By: Claire Dunlay

Today we got to visit the Politico headquarters and see the WJLA news station. Both were very fascinating and probably the most exciting field trip yet. When we got to Politico, we were able to talk to a lot of different people that worked on different parts of the paper. We talked to John Harris, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Politico. We also got to talk to Anne Schroeder who is the gossip columnist for Politico. She was really exciting to listen to and she had a lot to say. After we finished at the Politico, we headed to the WJLA news station where we got to watch the 12 o'clock news live. We got to sit in the control room and see what goes on behind the scenes and then we got to stand on the set while the show was going on. Seeing the newsroom was definitely an exciting experience for me because a lot goes on during the news casts that I never knew. This field trip was a really exciting end to the Journalism Workshop.

WJLA/Politico visit - Amanda Shi

Today was, in my opinion, the most exciting field trip so far. Meeting all the people who worked for Politico was so fascinating, because they knew how to keep me interested even though i have a short attention span. I loved hearing all the people's stories about their work and how they reached where they are. Later, when we watched the live news broadcast, I felt so cool; we were in the control room amongst all the chaos and it was such a rush for me. The people in the control room really are on top of things; they had this fluent rhythm to the way they inter-used clips.
Later Tenyse and I went up to the anchor and talked to her about how she got to her position, and what she used to do. Apparently, she used to teach elementary school and then decided to take up journalism again. She also mentioned how in the industry, it is really important to make new friends and build connections, because it's all about who you know.
If the station or Politico offers a summer internship next year, i am definitely applying for one.

Politico and WJLA Visit

Our visit today was the most captivating field trip yet. The journalists that spoke to us were engaging and taught us a lot about their careers. I think what made this trip stand out to me was that we heard from different kinds of journalists. It caught my attention when I found out that one reporter wrote solely about lobbying, and that a political newspaper had a gossip column. The gossip columnist was particularly entertaining; I have never heard someone use the word "nark" so much before in my life, but it really helped me make a connection with her. It helped me to imagine myself as a journalist some day, and understand just how fun the job can be. Visiting the newsroom was also a unique experience. I felt so special standing behind the cameras watching the weather man wave his hands at nothing and the news anchor speak from the prompter. Meeting a young journalist who had graduated from Georgetown just one year ago was thought-provoking as well. It made me realize the opportunities the journalism business has to offer, and that the job can become exciting quickly. It was a great way to end the program, and helped me narrow down the type of journalism I want to look into.

An Insignia of Prosperity, Vanessa Vallon

The White House. An emblem of the United States. A picture of freedom, jubilance, and power. A grand colonial house, surrounded by greenery and grace, filled with elegance and art, and surrounded by men in suits caring m-16s and snipers staring down at you from the roof. A picture of truth. Full of ironies, what the White House encompasses is apparent. With everything going on in the world, poverty, disease, war, genocide, to say the least, this house represents some stability. It could be seen as a picture of hope, of one of the only things in the nation that does stay the same (besides the redecoration of several of the rooms). Maybe that’s why it has so much prestige… Maybe a big, white house really is the American dream…

Experience-Zack p.

From the White House to going to a Nationals baseball game, one experience is hard to choose from. I can take any experience, good or bad, from my time spent at Georgetown in the International and Journalism programs and say that I had a unique experience as a whole. The most prominent thing that made my time at Georgetown worthwhile was the people. The people you interact with anywhere are what's going to make anyone appreciate something. Without the people I've met, and finishing the Harry Potter series after ten long years, I would not have had so much fun. Georgetown University is one of the best places I think I have ever been to, and I hope I can come here in two years time as a freshman of the class of 2013.

Tenyse Williams at the Pentagon

The Pentagon trip was a lot more than I expected. Despite the building being huge, the thing that got my attention was that there was a CVS in the Pentagon. Before we even entered the doors, the security was very strict. These guys carried big guns, and you can tell that they were very serious about their job. Besides that, the first time I walked into the Pentagon it looked liked a big shopping mall. They had everything in there that money can buy. From fast food restaurants to a dentist office.

Despite the mall area, the press conference with a Colonel in Iraq was very moving. He talked about surprisingly, the good things about Iraq. For example, he talked about how they were building schools and how many Iraqis joined the police force. Which is great because these days you don't here any good news coming from Iraq.

After the press conference we had a chance to talk with Luis Martinez who is a producer for ABC, and Bethany Swain who is a camera person for CNN. They talked about how news is picked from their base at the Pentagon and if the network wants to take it or not.

A Glimpse of College Dorm Life-Kelly Bailiff

College dorms are usually described as cramped, limited, unpretentious, and any other words in the dictionary that mean simple or small. For the past 3 weeks, living in a dorm hasn't been quite that bad. I started off pretty lucky, getting a roommate who has the same views on sharing possessions and the lack of room cleanliness. Despite the small room size, it's a pretty cozy place besides the massive amount of ants that infested our desk(thankfully that was taken care of in a matter of hours). I realized how I would need another closet or two if I attended Georgetown considering the large amount of clothes I have. Dorms are like your own apartment, except smaller. Georgetown dorms have not been so bad, they provide you with all the basic necessities and although the space is limited, there is always the private bathroom.

A Capitol Reflection

As my first field trip here in D.C., I was blown away by the exclusive tours, exceptional guides, and relaxed attitudes of the environment. Prior to my visit to the Senate and House Press galleries I imagined press rooms were filled with people shouting, papers flying, and reporters jumping over one another trying to get the stories. I have been assured that it was a generally slow time at the capitol when I was visiting, which must have contributed to the tranquil surroundings I found myself in.
In this particular case, the tour we got of the Capitol did NOT put the “tour” in tourist. Not only was this tour significantly more informative then any run-of-the-mill tourist’s, but I was fortunate enough to be able to meet press representatives from all over the country. This opportunity was, needless to say, one the most exceptional experiences an aspiring high school journalist can hope for. Being surrounded by such universally powerful people provided somewhat of a “high” for me, a high that will definitely provide further encouragement in my pursuit for a career in journalism

The Pentagon

My experience at the pentagon last Friday was one that exceeded my expectations. I knew it would a privilege in and of itself just to go to the pentagon, but I never thought I was going to have the opportunity to act as a real member of the press corps.

As I was sitting in the press room, listening to the colonel speak about how the conditions in his base town have improved, it occurred to me that I will most likely never have the opportunity to do this again. Furthermore, there are few people in the world who get to experience the thrill of reporting from within the walls of the Pentagon. Even with the deficit of photography being prohibited, I will never forget that press conference.

Even today, what strikes me the most is how something that most reporters would even consider news, has excited me so much. Moments such as these help assure me that I’m not following some dream that I’m going to get sick of in a few years. For me, journalism is not going to be like basketball, where I like it for a few months, but eventually move on. It’s here to stay!

Pentagon

What's got 5 sides, a geometric degree of 108 and has 23,000 employees? That's right you guessed it, The Pentagon. On August 6th, a group of 20 journalism students at Georgetown University got an inside look at the nation' largest office building.
The day first began when we were lead into the Pentagon'spress briefing room where we experienced a briefing on the war in Iraq held by a colonel in Iraq. Afterwards our group got a special tour of the Pentagon including stops at the 9/11 memorial as well as the 'mini mall'
inside the Pentagon which includes a jeweler, a barber shop and even a CVS.
I thought the press briefing held by Col. John Charlton was very interesting to experience. He spoke to the press and answered their questions via satellite. It was interesting because it let us see how a press briefing of that kind would go and what the format was for asking questions.
Our tour was very informative and the stop at the 9/11 memorial was very humbling. The memorial itself is in the exact spot where the plane hit the building on that Tuesday in September 6 years ago. Our guides were very informative (and cute too!) and walked us through the whole building stopping to explain paintings and displays. It was a great trip, despite waking up before the sun at 6:00.

Pentagon- Will

I thought that visiting the Pentagon was a great experience. In my previous two visits to Washington, the White House and Capitol were essentials to visit, and the Pentagon would always be one that could not be done due to strict security measures. I thought the press room was very cool, and was amazed that I saw a Col. stationed in Iraq talk to us live via video conference. Though his report seemed a little too optimistic to be completely valid in my assessment of the war, it was nice to listen to the perspective of someone who is actually in the country, rather than hearing cable news pundits, celebrities, and even journalists' views. Following the conference, it was really fascinating to gain advice from a journalist from Voice of America. The tour that followed, though led by very funny, charismatic soldiers, was much too brief, and somewhat of a tease. The areas they were allowed to show us were very touristy, and not too interesting, though the 9/11 memorial was well done. The areas in the Pentagon that are of interest to the public are probably areas where truths are concealed that we, the American people, are kept from knowing about. I just wish I had bumped into Seymour Hersh, and learned of something catastrophic the government was cooking up, but instead I bought a souvenir at the Fort America gift shop.

The Pentagon- Zack Perskin

The Pentagon is the five-sided office building that houses our government's Department of Defense. It includes all the branches of the military. At a briefing with a colonel in Iraq, the Georgetown Journalism summer workshop got to hear and see the colonel talk about how his troops are helping to rebuild the Iraqi government. The videoconference was entertaining to the students because several probably have never taken part in a videoconference before. The Pentagon also houses several stores for the many people who work there, which allowed some of the journalism students to ask the tour guide, “Do people who work here live here as well?” Walking around the five-sided office structure is not that hard, especially when you can walk a mile in about two minutes inside that building. There is an air of safety in the Pentagon, but with a visit to the 9/11 memorial a reality sinks in that anything can happen. The world as we know it is changing drastically and America’s defense department is changing with us. Hopefully the Pentagon will stand through 60 more years of war and continue to serve as the hub of America’s defense.

A brief reaction to visiting the Capitol

Journalism is a profession I still tentatively may or may not pursue. I used to view journalism as a combination of talking to people, getting the inside scoop of stories of interest, and taking creative liberties to write my articles. I now see the more serious, heavy, political side to journalism. The journalists in the first room we entered behaved in an extremely business-like, diligent manner and were extremely focused on their work assignments. The person who gave the tour knew everything about politics, from the amendments the representatives referenced to the identities of the representatives to all the budgeting and political issues they mentioned. I now know that this work is heavy-duty and takes a lot of memorization and hard work--not just socializing and creativity. I think I would like to write about topics that interest me, such as issues related to teens or to psychology, without going into political journalism. I would like to major in English but not government.

Seeing Congress in session was eye opening because I viewed the government as a faraway, abstract part of our country, when, really, it's going on right here, right now! Right in the Capitol building, bills were in the process of passing, and history
was in the making. However, it somewhat disappointed me that this history includes a mule museum, rather, than, say, solving world hunger. Couldn't this excess money go to people who are poor, sick, or homeless? Or is it much more complicated than that (it probably is)?

The most striking thing to me, which stuck out particularly because I just finished a course in Women and Leadership, was that the journalists, politicians, and historical figures (in the statues) we saw were predominantly male. I found this especially flagrant when we walked into the press gallery and saw a majority of male reporters, compared to the disproportionate number of females in this journalism class. So, what I'm wandering is, if so many girls start out at the bottom, why do so few women make it to the top? It only took a look into Congress and at the statues of states' top two figures to see a possible source of this problem. If women look into politics and history, they rarely see their gender represented, so they feel discouraged, as if it is practically impossible to attain positions of power. This is why women need more representation in history and politics. A recent study by journalist and former politician Jennifer Lawless shows that people are as likely to vote for women as they are for men, but much fewer women run for office because they don't believe they will be elected. Seeing this type of representation in Congress and in the Capitol made this issue a reality for me, and I am interested in looking more deeply into it and trying to overcome this prejudices and stereotypes in my own life and future.

A brief reaction to visiting the pentagon

Although my trip to Washington, D.C. consisted of a mere half hour drive and 40-minute plane ride, being here has exposed me to a different culture. Visiting the pentagon was yet another eye-opener that showed me an aspect of America beyond the anti-war, Democratic, don’t-support-our-troops New York.

Where I live, somebody going off to join the military is extremely rare and, in many cases, seen as a waste. “Why can’t he get a real career?” people ask. But our tour guides were proud of what they do. They did not seem overly serious or unhappy; rather, it was quite the contrary—they had a great sense of humor and flaunted their occupation with badges on their clothes like a professional athlete who showcases a trophy on his shelf. I would think it grim for someone to work in a field in which he could in fact die any time he goes to battle, and even grimmer to know he could kill another human being. However, this did not appear to have an affect on these members of the military. One even cracked jokes about having a badge “for fifty people killed in Iraq” (it wasn’t true). It absolutely baffles me that somebody can live like that and not be brought down each and every day of his life.

Capitol Hill - Katie

My first trip to the Capitol was both exciting and enlightening. I knew that Capitol Hill holds congress meetings, but I never really thought about how journalists get the inside information for writing their stories. Superintendent Jerry L. Gallegos guided us through the House Press Gallery as I observed several people sitting quietly at computers, with the only noise coming from the frantic typing of reporters writing up stories. As we walked further into the room, there were several telephone booths, reminding us of the history of the press covering congressional hearings, before cell phones or computers existed. Professor Shepard soon gave us the image of a frenzied mob of journalists shoving their ways into the booths after an important hearing.
Mr. Gallegos enlightened the group with the history of the press’s presence on Capitol Hill. I learned how important the “freedom of the press” amendment is for the amelioration of our country, and it is the journalist’s role to use this freedom to the best of his or her ability.
One of the most exciting parts of the tour was passing by Senator John Kerry while walking to the senate press gallery. Although I was excited to see a famous politician face-to-face, I realized that a professional journalist should never be stupefied by someone important since it may cause the journalist to lose credibility.
I was surprised by how beautiful it was inside the building. There were massive paintings everywhere, and in the middle of the building there is a collection of statues (2 from each state) with ceiling paintings depicting the history of the United States. I learned a lot from the tour that I didn’t know before, and I was able to see where the excitement of Washington reporting takes place.

Pentagon - Katie Mas

Waking up at 6:30 in the morning on Friday was not exactly fun, but our visit to the Pentagon made it all worthwhile. The most stimulating part of the trip was being able to sit through a Pentagon press briefing. I always assumed that there would be more people at the briefing, but I was proved wrong. Besides our group, there were only about five reporters. After asking questions to reporters from NBC, CNN, and Voice of America, I learned about “good” and “bad” news, and how producers and reporters decide which is more newsworthy.
The tour after the press briefing was my favorite part of the trip. We got to see the where the plane hit on 9/11 and the memorial for those who died that day. I learned that the pentagon is becoming environmentally conscious. The high-tech green windows in the memorial room are bullet proof and plane proof, according to our tour guide, and most importantly, they help save energy by eliminating the need for air conditioning or a heater. I was surprised by the fact that the Pentagon contained several restaurants and shops, even a dentist’s office, so that the workers in the Pentagon would not have to leave the building if they needed something. In the end, contrary to my assumptions, the Pentagon proved to be a normal office building — except that it’s a lot bigger, cooler, and more convenient that any other office building I’ve been to.

Pentagon

Upon arriving at the Pentagon, I was not sure what to expect. After the smooth security check, myself and my counterparts were led to a somewhat intimidating room. As soon as a figure appeared on the central screen, I was no longer groggy or tired, but alert and receptive to the words of the Iraqi commander, Col. John Charlton. Hearing the commander address the reporters was incredibly intriguing and allowed me to see for myself, without the interpretation of any reporter, what is actually going on in Iraq. I was amazed at all of the positive news and successes of the third infantry division. After the briefing three very important people shared their time with us, a producer from ABC, a reporter from the Voice of America, and a photojournalist from CNN. They talked about how they choose what actually makes the news which made me realize how difficult their jobs must be. Hearing these men and women talk was an incredible opportunity that I had not expected nor anticipated.

Pentagon - Amanda Shi

Having never been to the pentagon before, yesterday was an exciting day for me. First of all, we got through security clearance almost immediately because we were the "vip" group. But the best part was when we sat in on a teleconference with a colonel stationed in Ramadi, Iraq. I got to sit in the front row with all the really intense reporters; it was kind of a rush for me. I guess i'm just easily excited like that. I found it interesting that so much progress was being made both in the economy and the infrastucture. All we hear on the news these days is how another road side bomb killed 10 people in Iraq. It was refreshing and reassuring to hear that the troops weren't just squandering their time there. Later the producer from ABC and a photojounralist from CNN talked to us about how networks choose what to put on the news among other topics. Again i could not believe that such important and busy people were sparing time to talk to a bunch of high school students.
Later, the tour of the pentagon was really fun, because the tour guides were humorous, which made the tour that much more interesting.

Pentagon Visit-Anna Jacoby

Today students took a trip to the Pentagon. We went to the Department of Defense where we heard a press briefing from a Colonel stationed in Ramadi. After the press briefing, we spoke with a photojournalist from CNN, a producer from ABC, and a writer. They gave us information on thier jobs and tips for us journalist hopefuls. Later, we took a tour of the Pentagon where we saw the 9/11 Memorial. Overall, students enjoyed this trip and learned a lot about the press and the part it plays in the Pentagon.

A Visit to the Capitol: Claire Dunlay

Our first field trip here at Georgetown University was both a fun and interesting experience. We went to the Capiol to visit the House and Senate. I was expecting to see many House members and Senators tripping over one another to get their legislation to pass. I was surprised to find that both the House and Senate were very quiet and some of the amendments trying to be passed were ridiculous. One that stuck with me was the one that wanted to grant $50,000 to build a mule museum in California. It was something I would not expect prestigious Congress members to be so passionate about. Then we went to visit the press room and I was surprised to see how small it was. Having only seen it on television, I expected it to be a lot bigger. However all the microphones and cameras that were all over the room made it very interesting. I even got to stand at the podium and feel like a major celebrity; it was a lot of fun. All in all, I thought that the first field trip with this Journalism Workshop was very informative and exciting.

Claire Dunlay: The Pentagon!

Today we were able to visit the Pentagon and it was truly a very fascinating experience. We got to go to the Department of Defense press briefing room where we got to hear a press briefing from a Colonel whose men are stationed in Ramadi. Then, a photojournalist from CNN and a producer from ABC News spoke to us. They told us what their job entailed and what they enjoyed most about it. A journalist from Voice of America also spoke to us and gave us great advice on how to succeed as young journalists. What these three people told us was very interesting and a lot of fun to listen to. Then we got a tour of the Pentagon. It was a lot bigger than I thought it would be. We were able to see the memorial for September 11, 2001 and where the plane had crashed. Being able to see all 184 names of the people who died that day was definitely a very moving experience. Our tour guides were very interesting and told us all sorts of fun facts about the Pentagon. Being able to get a tour of the Pentagon was such a wonderful experience and it was something that I will never forget.

Kathryn Carlisle-Pentagon Press Briefing

Today we were fortunate enough to witness a Pentagon press briefing. It was very early in the morning, but I was fascinated by what the Colonel in Iraq had to say. He had a very positive report from his area in Ramadi in Anbar Province, which is 70 miles west of Baghdad. My first reaction when he first came on screen was how tired he looked. I feel for they guys over there...

Anyway, to the journalism part...We got to speak with a producer from NBC, a photo journalist from CNN and a reporter from The Voice of America. They had great tips on the definition of news. They each explained that news is determined by the journalist. That specific press briefing wasn't really a stand-alone story, but sound bites may be used in the next few weeks.

The correspondent from The Voice of America and adjunct professor at the Medill school of Journalism, Alan W. Pessin, gave us tips on being young journalists. He emphasized the need to "learn how to write".

After our VIP access to the briefing, two Privates, one Army, one Air Force, gave us the typical tour. We were fortunate enough to see the memorial to the victims of 9/11. I did not know the Defense of Freedom Metal was created because of September 11th. We learned that the windows in the Pentagon are bullet-proof, bomb-proof, picture-proof,...basically, you name it-it can't get in. Each pane cost $20,000, but that cost was paid off in 7 years by the energy cost that was diminished. The windows that were hit in the attack on 9/11 were put right back in during reconstruction, that's how strong these windows are! Ironically, the area of the Pentagon that was hit, was the strongest in the building. The area was under construction, and during the process they had added steel reinforcements. (The building lacked this because it was constructed during WWII so, all the steel was going to the war effort.)

All in all it was a very intriguing trip.

Inside the Pentagon - By Alicia C. Shepard

Georgetown University: Inside the Pentagon
August 3, 2007

By Alicia C. Shepard

At 0730, military time, Friday morning, 20 sleepy students took a bus and a short subway trip to watch an official Pentagon press briefing deep inside one of the world's largest office buildings.

After going through a brief (for us) security clearance and getting visitor tags, Lt. Col. Todd Vician escorted us to the Press Briefing Room. About 40 journalists with "unescorted access" work out of the Pentagon on a daily basis.

At exactly 0900, Col. John Charlton, commander of the 1rst Brigade, 3rd Infantry division out of Ft. Stewart, Ga., appeared on a large television screen beamed in from the western Iraqi city of Ramadi to brief about 20 reporters and the Georgetown students on the state of security.

Charlton read for 15 minutes from a prepared statement enumerating the good news from Ramadi in Anbar Province, which is 70 miles west of Baghdad. Charlton commands about 6,000 men and women - 20 percent are on their third tour, 60 percent are on their second. Charlton, who arrived in February, is on his third.

When he first arrived, there were 30-35 insurgent attacks a day, he said. "Now, it's one a day," said Charlton. "We have experienced weeks with no attacks."

Charlton's brigade is attempting to stabilize the community, which a year ago was a lawless state with virtually no police force or Army. Today, there are 7,400 police officers and 4,700 Iraqi soldiers guarding Ramadi, said Charlton. The biggest problems the Iraqi security detail faces are getting enough equipment, weapons and ammunition, as well as getting paid, he added.

Charlton said that at the end of June, his troops stopped between 60 to 70 well-equipped members of Al Qaeda in Iraq coming from the south. "They were definitely Al Qaeda," said Charlton. "They had propaganda videos with them....It demonstrated that Al Qaeda wants Ramada and Al Anabar back. Ramadi was the prize. They've been defeated and driven out. So this was a strategic loss for Al Qaeda."

After Charlton spoke, a handful of credentialed press asked sharp questions, sometimes challenging Charlton's statements. The briefing ended exactly at 9:30 a.m. One brave student, Amanda Shi, sat in the front row with the rest of the press prepared to ask a question. But Bryan Whitman, the deputy assistant secretary for media, ended the briefing before she got a chance. The rest of us occupied the last two rows. (Kudos to Amanda for trying!)

Once the 'real' press left, the students moved to the front row for a second briefing by three journalists who cover the Pentagon. They heard from CNN camerawoman Bethany Swain, ABC News Pentagon producer Luis E. Martinez and the Voice of America's Alan W. Pessin and got a chance to grill each of them. Lots of great questions. Tenyse Williams definitely asked the most!

At 10:30, two uniformed officers wearing white gloves took us on a tour of the Pentagon, allowing us to stop in the 9/11 memorial built shortly after American Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon killing all on board and 125 people working at the Pentagon that day.

As of 1:17 p.m., the transcript of the briefing had not been posted. But keep checking this link for a transcript of today's http://www.defenselink.mil/Transcripts

Pentagon Trip!

The trip to the Pentagon was a unique experience. The Press Conference was the most distinct part. I felt so important to hear the news about Iraq directly from a colonel. Although I was tired, it was still exciting to sit in a press conference room connected by video to a military station in Iraq. Talking to the journalists was the most educational part of the trip. I had no idea that the press actually had offices in the Pentagon. The Pentagon is full of military intelligence, so it did not strike me as a place that would house the press. I also enjoyed hearing their perspective on working in the Pentagon and journalism in general. The tour was a lot of fun as well, and I look forward to the White House on Tuesday!

Trip to the Pentagon

My first impression was that the building was humungous and there were more men in uniform working there than I have ever seen in my whole 16 years. When we got the chance to sit down and experience what most Pentagon journalists experience on a daily basis I felt a rush of excitement. Despite the long duration of the Colonel’s introduction, the briefing was very interesting. The fact that it was on the war in Iraq and that we as teenagers get to hear the inside scoop was quite amazing.

One of my favorite parts was talking to the ABC producer, the CNN photojournalist, and the Voice of America reporter. It was great getting to hear their view on what news really is and listen to them describe their jobs. Those discussions were informative and made me realize I really do want to be a journalist. But most likely not in the Pentagon. It was sad seeing where the plane crashed on 9/11, it was quite touching. Overall going to the Pentagon was a great experience and I would definitely do it again.

The Pentagon- Christine Williams

This morning my journalism class was able to visit the Pentagon. It was really interesting that we never had to walk through metal detectors to enter the Pentagon. I had thought the security would be more intense. We walked through the long hallways past offices until we reached the Press Briefing Room. Our class sat in the back and watched as reporters filed in. After a quick introduction, we were able to see a colonel stationed in Ramadi. He talked about the current situation in Ramadi and gave us facts that helped us understand how much the conditions have improved. About three reporters were able to get their questions answered. Next, we talked to a photo jounalist from CNN, a producer from ABC, and a reporter from Voice of America. Their views on the definition of news was intriging. I don't think I would be able to focus on the negative all the time just because it would make a better news story than something like a school opening. Later, we took a tour of the Pentagon and saw where the airplane on September 11th hit. We also heard the stories behind some interesting paintings of American history. I enjoyed being at the Pentagon, but I do not think I would enjoy working there, because I want to travel more.

Caitlin Mac Neal

On our trip to the House and Senate Press Galleries, I learned a lot. Trips around Washington, D.C. interest me because I find any of the inner-workings of the government to be exciting. First of all, I felt privileged to be in the House Press Gallery. It was exhilarating to see where the “House Beats” work. I was most surprised by the size of the Gallery and of the floor. I had always imagined it to be a huge, bustling place. I knew that not all of the House members were on the floor all of the time, but I did think that the room would be more accommodating. I learned the most about eartags.

I had never before thought about the process that local communities undergo to obtain federal funding for something like a mule museum. It made me wonder how many things in my community were debated on the house floor. I thought it was interesting that all of the journalists and reporters have to go through the House or Senate Press Gallery to cover the Hill. This visit gave me mixed feelings about being a journalist. I thought it would be really exciting to work at Capitol Hill, but I also felt like it might be boring to sit through multiple eartags and wait for news to happen. I realize that journalism is not the glamorous thing I always imagined it to be, but I would want to travel abroad and write interest pieces about different happenings around the globe.

Anna Jacoby - at the Capitol

On the afternoon of July 24, 2007, my fellow students of the Georgetown University Journalism Program and I shuffled into the Capitol for a tour of the House and Senate Press Galleries. Before doing so, while going through security, I dropped my bag on the x-ray’s conveyer belt after I was kindly told to throw away my empty water bottle, and walked through the metal detector. When I passed, the machine began to beep furiously. To my utter horror, the security guard, giving me a suspicious look, said, “Please step over here miss,” gesturing toward a station where a man holding a hand-held metal detector was ready for any terrorist bold enough to walk into the Capitol with a gun or knife hidden in their clothing.

As I reluctantly moved toward the station, I felt my cell phone, the cause of the metal detectors beeping, rustle inside my jacket pocket. Thank goodness! I showed my phone to the guard, and she let me pass.

A guide led us up to the House Press Gallery, where students spoke with Superintendent Jerry L. Gallegos about the press. We sat in on a hearing (in the section where the press sits) where a man was arguing that putting in thousands of dollars into constructing a mule museum was a worthy cause. The opposed were not convinced. “Mules were a significant means of transportation, and nearly 750 mules are being used by our armies in Afghanistan,” said the man.

We were then led to the Senate, where, before entering the Senate Press Gallery, students nearly collided with John Kerry and his entourage as they rapidly turned the corner. Several people had to turn around for a second time to realize who had just passed by. The day was exciting and full of surprises for students, and much was learned about being a Washington journalist and the exclusive access that goes with it.

Christine Williams --on the Hill

Tuesday, July 24, was the first time that my journalism class arrived at Capitol Hill. After taking some quick pictures for our scrapbooks, we entered the House Press Gallery. We were welcomed by a congenial man who introduced himself as Jerry L. Gallegos the Superintendent of the Gallery. He shared with us the history of journalism in the House, the uses of the House press gallery, and allowed us to ask questions. The gallery had been filled with bustling journalists before CSPAN allowed them to watch the proceedings in the comfort of their own office. He reminded us, though, that in light of the cameras filming only certain spots, no television could replace reality. As we scanned the room we saw journalists still using the room as a workspace and staff members answering e-mails and phone calls about the House’s activities and keeping a log concerning the days proceedings.

We were able to hear the House discuss giving $50,000 to Bishop, California to build a mule museum, because, as the representative for California passionately proclaimed, George Washington received mules from the King of Spain, they were indispensable to the development of the west, and they are even in Afghanistan right now alongside our troops. I enjoyed listening to the men debate rapidly and some even became less than civil in their protests. After, we saw the Senate for a brief time and toured the rest of the Capitol building. I found the two statues of Texans, Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin, and marveled at the murals and chandeliers. One room had such perfect acoustics that you could hear a conversation from across the room.

After taking more pictures we ended the day and left for Union Station. I would love to be able to spend my time as a journalist learning and listening to debates, but I might not be able to handle lengthy discussions if they are all as minor as a mule museum.

Vanessa Vallon -- at the Capitol

Going to the Capitol Building proved to be an invigorating, fascinating, and very surprising experience for me. I had never been to Washington D.C. before this trip, and having been able to go into one of the District’s most important and prominent buildings and get a first-hand look at what the Senators, Representatives of the House, the Press, and all the staff that go with them actually do on a daily basis was absolutely remarkable. To me, these people always seemed like these divine, remote beings that I had no connection to, and to see some of them in person, doing their jobs, really made me realize the importance of their work and how everything (or most things) in our daily lives can be attributed to the decisions made in this building. Everyone working on the Hill has some sort of purpose, and as vital as all of their jobs are, the journalists have some of the most important jobs.

I was shocked at how many reporters work on the Hill each day, and how much they really have to cover on a daily basis. After even watching just 10 minutes in the House of Representatives, and attempting to decipher the points from the representatives’ carefully contrived but nevertheless ridiculously confusing and very fast-paced speeches, the role of the journalist was suddenly put into a different light as I recognized the difficulty of their duties. Therefore, the trip definitely allowed me to take a closer look at the role of the reporter, and as shocked as I was at how demanding their duties really are, it still entices me into becoming a journalist, and taking on something as seemingly challenging as this.

Liz Robertson -- House Press Gallery

The United States Capitol is an amazing place. I learn something new every time I go there, and this visit was no different. This is the first time I have experienced both the House of Representatives and the Senate live and in session. Viewing our nation's active demo