Here goes writing in a phone booth..


 Off the grid...in a look alike phone booth. It's working, gathering and writing non stop for 3-4 hours.

I can only say that my journals are in tact, with dates, and correct spelling thanks to spell check.

Where did I store my journals going back 10 years, within my emails. Can you imagine how the tech people look at me when they see my thousands of emails. Are you sure you want to keep these? 

Glad I did...here is an example of what can now be shared. More to come.

Friday, September 18, 2015 - Burke High School - Mayor of Charleston open forum

Can you imagine a reporter asking a person campaigning for an office, a question and stipulating (asking nicely in this case)  that they can only respond in three sentences - basically to summarize?  (in other words, simply answer and to get to the point?)

Well, that's what happened tonight, in a classroom at Burke High School.   Our team of SIX Backpack Journalists in a classroom stood, introduced themselves -with their names first, then stated that they were a Backpack Journalist, and after researching the campaign slogans for each of the candidates - presented their question as it related to the slogan that each candidate had used in their marketing.

Maybe it was the fact that these reporters were 5th and 6th graders, and appeared "young", but each candidate spent a thoughtful minute or so, and collected their thoughts, while not looking too, taken a back, each did respond.  What a great learning experience it was for all, as afterwards, the backpackers asked if they could continue into the auditorium!  

So we went and sat in the auditorium and watched, observed as the SIX sat on the stage and answered from the audience the other questions.  (Sorry, but these responses were only limited by time, and not a summary, and some of the candidates can talk really fast! - per Amir)

The best surprise of the evening was when Representative Bakari Sellars came in and sat with our group.  He spent time with each Backpacker, and met Stephan's mother.  He leaned over (keep in mind Bakari is quite tall) and shared with her, "your son has great potential, he's great!".  (We should add here that we think that made her day!)  Bakari visited our expanded day class last year at Sanders Clyde and met Stephan then.  Stephan, one day dreams of public service, like the President of the United States.
,
Please visit out facebook.com/backpackjournalist for pictures from tonight - and stay tuned as we post our review article early next week.  Our editorial review meeting is next!

We love events like this as it totally engages these young people and connects them first hand with their community.  When we had to leave as it was getting late, one turned to me and asked if he could stay, as he was really "liking it".

Our next assignment - coming next, we are honoring our beloved Mayor Joe Riley, and attending the October 4th event at the RiverDogs.
 
So what do you think?  Not a bad entre into my journal.  Btw Stephan just graduated from high school - so proud.  He plans on a CyberDefense career with the4 US Air Force.

Linda Dennis


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Going off the grid ..sorta - hope to be back the end of March..

Dear family, friends and neighbors: I have found I have to go away and out of sight in order to finish this book.  ( On Becoming a Backpack Journalist - a catalyst to finding oneself.  For teens and just about anyone in search! - working title only...)  From an idea: "Teaching writing and journaling to help the stresses of deployment for families and teens"  - to weeks of Rand research and a Pilot agreed upon by a National Guard state, the A Backpack Journalist program was set to launch. Supported by research by Dr. Fred Medway, USC Psychology Researcher on the effects of deployment on families and children. Remember 9/11? Following 2001 - 2011, many deployed to serve our nation in war,  from the Reserve Components of our US Military, leaving  family and kids behind. Next in 2013 - 2022 -we were home in Charleston, SC with Civilian Kids in Title One or local schools. Military and civilian kids who spent time in the A Backpack Journalist program as teens, are now young adults
Read more

Now off the Grid...day 3 and 3506 words written

Image
  /Today I finished up the introduction.  For 5 hours in this area designed like phone booth. I found a quiet that made it easy for me to as they say:  "pound the keys".  And my friend who encouraged me to "go off the grid" was so right!  While I can't say the words came easy, but they indeed seemed to find the memories and bring them back in full color. Where did I find and connect with so many people that helped launch the A Backpack Journalist program? Well, it started believe it or not with offering arts and crafts to 2000 children as they went to work with their parents at The Pentagon on the "TAKE YOUR CHILDREN TO WORK DAY".   Pallets of craft supplies were loaded into one of the most secure buildings in America.  All donated by vendors who were supplying to Walmart, Michaels and Hobby Lobby. Many vendors came also, and one of my favorite pictures is of Danny and his girlfriend and me all with bright red aprons on and lots of smiles.  I should ad
Read more

Two trips to the Grocery Store

Living downtown is just plain wonderful, sometimes. This morning walking into the neighborhood grocery store, I ran into a father with his daughter.  He had a list in his hand, and she was standing nearby.  "Hello!"  You look like a Mary Poppins" -He said when he saw me. I had on my felt pull down hat with flowers!  It keeps me warm and today the weather was really cold and the wind had been blowing. Before I could answer, he quickly said: "Linda I have stage 4 Cancer, and I begin Chemo in a few weeks". Thunderstruck, I reached out to touch his arm, and assured him quietly I will pray for you.  Looking into his eyes I saw a look that said:  "Stage 4, that's serious." This man later in years had become my personal hero, and to many in my afterschool class.  He had dreamed of becoming a soldier at the age of 6, and had continued on.  He retired after serving long years, and then here at. home as well.  When my afterschool kids met him and then inter
Read more