Staff from the USC Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement has made their selection of new, bright students to join them at the Wallis Annenberg Hall. For four weeks in the Summer, twenty-six selected highschool students will be grouped to expand their creativity in Communications and Journalism college-leveled class, led by Professors Rogelio Lopez and Miki Turner.
For the 2023 Session, over eighty high school students located across Los Angeles County applied for this opportunity. The twenty-six young scholars’ applications were viewed with significance and thought, as their remarkable work as young leaders and aspiring field writers were fit for the program. On the national day of Juneteenth, AYA opened their doors once again on USC’s campus. The first day was absolutely terrific for everyone in attendance. The common ‘Bingo Icebreaker’ was played and led everyone to grant a “nice to meet you” around the room. Competition struck amongst each participant, scurrying around the room to learn everyone else’s name and their fact that they can cross off on the sheet of paper. After the thrill, the lessons began.
USC AYA Media and Civic Engagement Summer 2023 Cohort
Communications Professor, Rogelio Lopez, started off with the first class of the program. He presented a vivid introduction to the activities planned out for the youth. Creating podcasts, daily readings, and Friday journals were all mentioned as assignments the students will be completing during their time at AYA. Professor Lopez continued being jovial for the rest of the week.
The most unique thing at AYA was the lineup of Guest Speakers visiting daily to teach the students for an hour. From Annenberg Dean, Miss Willow Bay, to Edelman personnel, every guest brought ideas for the students’ advantage. In just one week, seven Guest Speakers came in to give valuable presentations on their work. With a class and a panel, the day is followed by lunch.
Lunch is a time to eat, socialize, and explore the new environment of people and the campus many have not set foot in until this Summer. The lunch selection began on Monday with rice, chicken, and salad. Tuesday was continued with various salad options, and Wednesday with various burrito options. Thursday, was a delicious choice of chicken or potato, with rice, guacamole, cheese, and pico de gallo. Thursday’s lunch was also accompanied by Kelly Greco, PsyD and her wonderful mental health presentation on “fighting on”. Students had the opportunity to lunch outside on the patio and fuel on conversations and Vitamin D. The USC bookstore was frequently visited as well by the AYA class, viewing the options of costly food and merchandise the store has to offer.
As the day goes by, Journalism begins. Miki Turner and the wondrous Rosa, Professor Turner’s dog, come into the classroom for the final period of the day. As Professor Turner projects her kindness onto the topic of the day’s class, Rosa entertains by roaming around the classroom and brightens up the student’s mood. With the help of Journalism, AYA students were exposed to Studios A and B, having mock broadcasts and in-depth conversations in the podcast studio. The students have been gathering information and pitching their ideas for their article they will be writing about.
All in all, everyday is ended with great spirits and a job well done through each student’s participation. The engagement and community that has started in week one of USC’s AYA class of 2023 will be strong and held for as a meaning kinship of writers for the entirety of the program.
Communicating Change 