Airmen train future journalists

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Matthew McGovern
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  More than 85 students from Rhodes Middle School in San Antonio received a firsthand look at the story telling mission of the Defense Media Activity-San Antonio Nov. 6 here.

The tour was geared to spark interest in the Air Force and various media career paths to provide the sixth, seventh and eighth grade children an avenue of possibilities.

"If we can get one child to join the Air Force or even steer them toward a career in journalism, it would be worth it," said Master Sgt. Ben Gonzales, the NCO in charge of print news at the Defense Media Activity-San Antonio. 

The students toured multimedia areas to include radio, photography, television and print media sections. Military and civilian professionals in each section provided a description and hands-on training of various multimedia products.

As part of the tour, children had an opportunity to record themselves while reading from a teleprompter in the "green room." In this room, news anchors stand in front of a virtual green background to record products like "Around the Air Force" and "Today's Air Force."

"It's always good if you can pull back the curtain to reveal the wizard so children can watch TV and not only see the end product but also behind the scenes," said Tech. Sgt. Chris Decker, a broadcaster at the Defense Media Activity-San Antonio. "Knowledge is power and knowing how this is produced could help inspire someone to dive into this field and become an Air Force broadcaster or perhaps even the next Walter Cronkite."

Some of the children had experience on the school's yearbook and newspaper staff and involvement in video production at their school, and the tour of the news agency gave them insight to learn the idiosyncrasies of being journalists.

"I was impressed with their knowledge and interest. They were asking some well-informed questions," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Kurtz, a broadcaster with the Defense Media Activity-San Antonio.  "I gave them pointers on the fundamentals of shooting so they can take it back for their future school productions. It was encouraging for me to help the children. Some were involved with their school public service announcements on topics like peer pressure, drug use and other teen issues." 

Children also received writing tips and photography pointers to improve their yearbook and possibly create seeds of interests for their future.

"Our school equipment isn't as high tech as (the Defense Media Activity-San Antonio)" said Mylz Caviness, an eighth grader on the yearbook staff. "I'm thinking of continuing a career in the Air Force."

Another eighth grader, Joseph Martinez, said he now realizes what military journalists go through and wants to be part of it. "This is a career path I'm definitely considering."

Their teacher, Erin Schofield, also a yearbook adviser, is glad the children could visit the Defense Media Activity-San Antonio.

"I knew this was something fun these kids can do for a living. It's great to show them the military has other directions other than combat," she said. 

"The students are excited and it's not easy to get kids excited these days," said William Davis, a 15-year veteran teacher at Rhodes Middle School. "There is so many other influences out there and you look at their faces; they're excited about this trip. They're going to take that back and share that with other students."