Sept.26th- 10th annual Battle of the Bands Story

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20109270326

My first week at the Clarion Ledger was very productive. I met important people such as managing editor Don Hudson and Sherry Lucas. They set me up with a Clarion Ledger decal so that I won't have any trouble parking and also gave me an I.D. They set me at a desk and I was ready to work. My first two assignments-the Safe Sex Forum and the 10th annual Battle of the Bands.

I had attended a forum called "Safe Sex" forum at Jackson State University before I started the internship. Therefore, writing a story was no problem. However, the battle of the bands was not so simple. Ms. Lucas had asked me if I wanted to do the story before last Sunday (the day of the battle) and I immediately jumped on the opportunity.

 Another employee at the Clarion Ledger named Kevin had given me directions on who to talk to before I went. Before I knew it, I found myself in the middle of the 10th annual Southeastern Battle of the Bands held this past Sunday, which started at 4 p.m. I interviewed radio air personalities such as Sam Brown with 99 Jams, Lady V with WKXI, Don Chambers with WRTM, Mista Maine with 97.7 FM. I also interviewed the battle of the bands's executive producer John Ray, Calloway band director Joe Mitchell, Wingfield band director Stephen Hall, and our own Sonic Boom director Renardo Murray.

I was running from place to place trying to get access to these individuals. It was tiring, but it was worth it. I left around six and headed back to the Clarion Ledger so I can type up the story. It took me less than 30 minutes to type up the entire story. The next day, my story was on the front of the ledger in print and online. My family was very proud. I just hope my next story is just as big, if not bigger.

Here is the link to the Battle of the Bands story

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20109270326

Here is the link to the Safe Sex Forum story

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=201010120349

Clarion Ledger Intern

Nick Samuel – A Look Into My Life

I am a senior mass communications (broadcast journalism) major at Jackson State University that loves to write. I am originally from Chicago, Il., and have one sister and one brother, both of whom also attend JSU. I attended St. Eulalia elementary school, St. Joesph high school, Lanier high school, and now I’m at JSU finishing up this last year. My mom is a Jackson, MS. native and Jackson State University alumni, and so are many of my other family members from Mississippi.

At Jackson State University I am very involved on campus. I am a member of many organizations such as Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, the Blue and White Flash Newspaper Staff and Experience Magazine Staff, Maddrama Club, Outspoken Club, The Illinois Club, Tiger P.R.I.D.E. member, and Medgar Evers Lodge 697 member. Working with the Blue and White Flash, I have interviewed celebrities such as David Banner, Jacki-O, Twista, C-Murder, Warren G,  and Shawty-Lo.

I am also a member of a music industry designed for college students called Grammy U. I am currently trying to get a chapter started at JSU so students can be exposed to the music industry and how things work. Working for this industry, I have attended sound checks, kick off parties, and even had the chance to go to AL Green’s old studio and meet his producer Boo Mitchell.

Recently, I have had the opportunity to work for the Clarion Ledger for an internship. I have already been writing stories and recently had a story published in the Sept. 27th issue of the paper called “The Battle of the Bands.” From working at the Clarion Ledger, I hope to gain many connections in the journalism field as well as gain the proper training I need to become a successful journalist.  I eventually plan on working there in the near future. I just hope that the world is ready to hear what I have to say.