By Vivian Bermudez
Miami-Dade County Public Schools hosted the annual Student Journalism Forum on November 25th, 2014, an event where journalistic professionals are invited to share their expertise and wisdom with student journalists from across Miami-Dade County.
This year’s panelist were David Ovalle, writer for The Miami Herald, Ana Cuervo, anchor for Telemundo 51 News, Calvin Hughes, anchor for Channel 10 News and finally, Bernadette Pardo, a radio host on Univision Radio and a part of El Nuevo Herald.
The event was hosted by Daisy Gonzalez, Chief Communications Officer for MDPS. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho was also part of the fun and tried to define journalism in relation to the recent events in Ferguson.
He described journalism as “Being a watchdog of democracy [and] is the responsibility of the media…It reveals inequity…and celebrates success. If you’re sitting in those chair considering a journalism career, then you will become part of the democratic process.”
The panelists gave a wide-range of advice – from the benefits of Spanish and English to sudden stories, cancelled plans and late nights, the core of why we are journalist and do what we do. They addressed racism and nerves and the sacrifices needed to reach the top.
“If you want to be heard & taken seriously, you have to open your mouth when you speak,” said Channel 10 News anchor, Calvin Hughes, “If you dream it, you’ll start working towards it.”
However, the forum wasn’t all that serious. When Superintendent Carvalho came back to the forum, after a meeting, he poked fun at a comment he heard from a student where they said “David Ovalle cover’s crimes? How? He’s Deco Drive cute!”
The Superintendent also gave The Harbinger a shout-out for our media presence on Twitter. “Miami Lakes, right here, is on fire with tweets. You guys need to slow down! They are the best at what they do.”
After a Q&A with the panelists, Superintendent Carvalho gave final remarks. Once the forum ended, some of The Harbinger staff met the Superintendent.
“You are the best at what you do,” said Superintendent Carvalho to The Harbinger staff, “I follow what you do.”
However, if you want tweet by tweet action, here is a Storify about today’s events below!
