For Gage Holle, the best part of the Washington Journalism and Media Conference was easy to pinpoint.
It was: “The speakers elaborating on their different career paths and life stories,” Holle said.
Holle, a Carmel resident who will be a Park Tudor School senior in August, was selected as a National Youth Correspondent for the conference held July 7 to 12 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
Students were chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies.
Holle was particularly impressed with Carol Guzy, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer, and Susan Goldberg, National Geographic’s editor-in-chief.
“Guzy was very passionate and had an interesting story about her life journey,” Holle said. “She had some incredible photos that she showed us. Two of them were Pulitzer Prize-winning ones. Goldberg expanded about her work on environmental issues. Many were issues that I care about and she brought these topics to light.”
Holle said he learned there are several different career paths in journalism, many of which he hadn’t explored.
“At this point, I am considering screenwriting, which allows me to be more creative,” he said.
Holle started his school’s sports broadcasting program, Park Tudor Sports Broadcasting, and has written a few articles for the school newspaper.
When he arrived, Holle didn’t know anyone else at the conference.
“I made some friends who I will continue to keep in touch with,” he said. “I also had conversations with some journalists who I would feel confident to connect with in the future.”
The purpose of the week-long program is to encourage and inspire young leaders from around the U.S. who might be seeking a career in media.
