DES MOINES, Iowa – Thirteen Iowa youth participated in the second annual 4-H Reporters Program July 11 at WHO Radio and Iowa Public Television. The experience helps them prepare to report at the Iowa State Fair. In this program, young people have the chance to experience and develop reporting techniques that will shape their future as members of the media.
The 4-H Reporters Program is a cooperative effort of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development, IPTV, WHO and Iowa Newspaper Association. Each of the youth participants submitted applications and examples of relevant work, such as newspaper articles, videos or podcasts that they had created.
Throughout their training day, the youth practiced filming and editing short videos, and writing and recording radio spots, and also learned helpful hints about print journalism.
“The goal of this program is to give young people a chance to explore career options in journalism and mass communications,” said Clark Colby, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H youth program specialist. “We want to prepare youth to lead us into tomorrow, into the future of reporting.”
The 4-H Reporters Program offers a high content, hands-on experience and real-life opportunities for youth to become involved in a field that they love or are looking into pursuing, or to explore an interest in mass media or communications.
“It is more than a workshop; it is an extremely valuable experience,” said Madelyn Ostendorf, Iowa 4-H reporter.
Mick Von Feldt, another Iowa 4-H reporter, also had great things to say about his experience with the training day workshop. “I had a great time meeting new people and learning about interviews, cameras, scriptwriting, sound recording and video editing. With the awesome resources, we will be finding stories, interviewing and video editing at the Iowa State Fair. I can’t wait to create news stories and friendships at the Iowa State Fair.”
The youth who were named Iowa 4-H reporters for 2018 are Allison Walker, Wapello County; Gabe Madson, Shelby County; Mick Von Feldt, Madison County; Tori Kuper, Grundy County; Kelsie Kuper, Grundy County; Ellan Clay, Adair County; Hailey Swan, Davis County; Abigail Hand, Marshall County; Josiah Hand, Marshall County; Madelyn Ostendorf, Boone County; McKenna Mitchell, Iowa County; Emma Dunkel, Delaware County; Teisha Sritharan, Humboldt County; Aneisha Sritharan, Humboldt County.
For more information on how to apply for the 4-H Reporters Program in 2019, or for more information about the Iowa 4-H Youth Development program, please contact your ISU Extension and Outreach county office or visit the Iowa 4-H website at www.extension.iastate.edu/4h.
Photo: Reporter recording in audio studio; (bottom) Iowa 4-H reporters at Iowa Public Television
Contact
Madelyn Ostendorf, Iowa 4-H Reporter, 515-212-0279, madelyno@iastate.edu