By SDABJ Team
Never has SDABJ’s mission to foster the next generation of journalists felt more critical. In this age of COVID-19 we were determined to conduct our search and find journalism students who recognize the challenges of the times and will pick up the mantle of responsible storytelling. We had several impressive candidates but three students were just a cut above.
Meet Martha Flores
Hello, my name is Martha Flores. I am an incoming freshman at the University of California-Davis. I plan to study Digital Media and Economics. I was born and raised in San Diego and will graduate Otay Ranch High School in 2020. During my time at Otay Ranch I had the pleasure of being president of the Black Student Union, co-founder of Sociedad Academica Hispana and captain of the girls’ water polo team. I was originally introduced to digital media in the 6th grade, when my late teacher Mr. Lee Sison asked me if I could edit the school news broadcast, The Daily Comet. Knowing nothing about video editing I said yes. I loved it. Fast forward into high school I joined the Associated Student Body and became head of the Multimedia/Tech commission my first year. I lead all video productions for assemblies, sports videos and advertised school events on all social media platforms. ASB made me realize that this is the career path I would like to pursue. My ultimate goal is to become a video journalist and create stories from the ground up. I plan on doing this by focusing on my education, gaining experience in the industry and learning as much information as I can and see where the future takes me. I am extremely grateful to have been chosen for the San Diego Association of Black Journalists Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship will tremendously alleviate some of the stress and financial burden that is included while pursuing a higher education.
Meet Cameron Minor
My name is Cameron Minor and I am a student at Arizona State University majoring in Sports Journalism. I plan on one day owning my own broadcast company while also being a reporter on ESPN. I am constantly taking strides to improve my school work as a journalist along with being a videographer outside of class. In my freshman year I covered the ASU women’s basketball team, and the women’s volleyball team. I would eventually like to be covering the men’s basketball and football team and also intern at a professional program at Phoenix. I enjoy spending my spare time playing sports, my favorites are football and basketball and I am involved in intramural sports at school. I planned on playing at the collegiate level but after suffering an injury to the ankle I play for fun now. I am a very social man who is always looking to make friends, meet new people, and go out. I try to make everyone feel welcome and am easy to approach. I also value my family and faith very much, as I was raised in the church and come from a loving family that supports me throughout my journey. Receiving this scholarship is a big step for my schooling and professional career. I plan to stay involved with the SDABJ and learn as much as possible through fellow black journalists who can teach and mentor me. I am honored to have been selected and I am very excited.
Meet Austin Smith
Austin F. Smith hails from Louisville, Kentucky where he grew up with a passion for writing and public speaking before getting his Bachelor’s in Communications from the University of Louisville. During his undergraduate years, Austin completed two internships, had two study abroad semesters (Prague School of Economics & American University in Rome), and maintained a 3.7 GPA. His love for learning, teaching, and traveling sent him abroad once again post graduation. He spent three years in Barcelona, Spain teaching English to children and adults alike upon receiving his CELTA certification while gaining experience in the marketing and journalism fields as a content originator for an international lifestyle magazine. After returning to the US, Austin was accepted into the Mass Media and Journalism Master’s program at San Diego State University where he is currently in his second year of graduate studies. As an alum of the Black Achievers program in his community and current participant in the African American Mentor Program at his university, he understands the importance of education and mentorship in the Black community. Austin hopes to continue to share his successes and knowledge with communities of color by one day creating his own minority outreach program to promote Black journalism and political engagement.
Under normal circumstances we would be celebrating the acheivements of these aspring journalists with a fun gala with delicious food and festive raffle items. The party will have to wait but our total support and enthusiasm to see what the future holds will not be quelled. Congratulations, Martha, Cameron and Austin.
