SRL Summer Academy

June 19th – 27th, 2024:

Shot on Canon Powershot and iPhone

Jenny Marquez, Claire Baek, Maggie LeBeau, and Stella St. Clair

June 27, 2024

I came into the PBS Student Reporting Labs (SRL) Academy feeling nervous. I think most people did, but I was terrified. It was my first time flying on my own and I didn’t know what I was walking into. But, the past nine days have been some of the best out of my five thousand and eight hundred days. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did, but I also wasn’t expecting such a difficult goodbye. I couldn’t finish my answer during the screening because my voice broke. I socialized and I learned so much in such a short time, so it was hard to see it end. It still is hard, but I’m so grateful I got this experience. I will forever be grateful and this was an experience I’ll never forget.

I’ve always struggled to make friends. Back home I usually stay home and I’ll occasionally hang out with my friends. But, every day I spent at the SRL Academy, I experienced something new. I met new people and I did new things. I learned so much about myself and the world around me. Everyone I met was so kind and intelligent. It was apparent that everyone truly wanted to be there which made me so happy. I didn’t have to feel embarrassed to be a little geeky over camera equipment, but I was able to share my knowledge with my peers. I was able to learn new things from them, too. I hope this isn’t the end of my career with SRL. Like all of the mentors said throughout the week, this is just the beginning.

I was nervous about having a roommate for the first time. But, I got the best roommate I could’ve asked for. We always had fun together, even though we usually struggled to get up on time the next day… My roommate, Jenny, helped me get out of my comfort zone. We had a little group and it was perfect. Jenny and I were able to have deep conversations and open up to each other. Which eventually meant getting our goodbye out of the way at 1:30 in the morning so we could both cry without feeling embarrassed. I can’t wait to see what she does, even if I have to watch from afar. Although we both know we won’t have the ability to talk until 5:30 in the morning for a while, I hope we’ll be able to again one day. I haven’t clicked with someone as quickly as I clicked with her. The SRL Academy wouldn’t have been so meaningful without her.

My team, team four, was also amazing. We were the only team of four students, but I’m so grateful I got to share this experience with Claire, Cody, and Trinity. Whenever we had an issue, we talked it out and laughed about it later. My team was truly so amazing and I couldn’t have been in a better team. We worked together to make an amazing story that I’m so proud of. Despite our challenges, we got through it- as a team.

Claire always made sure we were entertained with her silly faces and funny comments. I can’t think of a time I was with her and I wasn’t smiling; other than when we said goodbye. Aside from being funny and kind, Claire is so very intelligent. She’s able to pick up on new concepts and equipment so quickly but also does a great job. Cody always made me laugh, to the point where we were both wheezing on the floor. The funny (and sometimes uncalled-for) comments he makes always made me laugh. Cody is so very intelligent and genuine.

Cody was so good with scripting and helping identify the best soundbites. Cody’s also able to laugh at literally anything, like me! It was nice not being the only one wheezing and smacking the table. Especially that first interview frame of Cody… I won’t put it in, but if you know, you know. Trinity was so kind and thoughtful. She did so much initial research for our team and helped us understand the masses of information. Trinity was so funny, often without realizing it. I’ll miss her narrations and her laughing at whatever dumb thing I say late at night.

I also had amazing mentors. Ashley and Marie both taught me so much. Marie helped me understand that I need to set a few hundred alarms every morning… But, she also taught me how to properly select soundbites and create a great script. Although my team was usually an energetic and silly group, she rolled with the punches. We were the only group filming in one-hundred-degree weather. We were all starting to get overwhelmed, so Marie let us cool off in her car. The heat, the sweat, and the time were getting to me. She recognized this issue quickly and tried her best to fix it. Marie is everything a mentor should be and so much more. She was always willing to put up with me, even when I had real coffee for the first time since being at home… She has so much patience and I’m so grateful for that. She played a significant role in the creation of our story, as did my other mentor, Ashley.

Ashley taught me that I’m allowed to show my feelings, even if that means crying eight times in one day. Ashley also taught me that I’m able to be myself, even in a professional environment. She was silly with me and I loved spending time with her. Whenever we went to dinner and she saw a Diet Coke she’d point it out to me. She took the time to get to know me personally and I am truly so very grateful for that. On filming day, we shared a sandwich for lunch. The next time I have a turkey club, I’ll think of Ashley. Ashley is an amazing teacher, but an even better person. She taught me so much, while also giving me the space to learn on my own. Both of my amazing mentors helped my team and me make an amazing project that we are all proud of. I wouldn’t have enjoyed my time as much as I did without them. They were both so patient and kind.

The experience I had in D.C. at the SRL Summer Academy is truly one I’ll never forget. It reinforced my passion for storytelling while giving me the confidence to further pursue my passion. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.