Are you a Colorado high school student who starts each morning by reading the news or scrolling social media to see what’s happening in your community?
Maybe you’re someone who easily gets overwhelmed by all the information inundating you, but you’re still curious and want to keep up with major news events as they’re unfolding.
Either way, you’re a great fit for The Colorado Sun’s fourth annual Rise & Shine Journalism Workshop, a free journalism bootcamp for Colorado high schoolers who want to learn how reporters chase stories and stay on top of their beats.
This year’s workshop will run June 12-14 with Wednesday, June 12, and Thursday, June 13, designated for online workshop sessions and Friday, June 14, featuring an in-person day of seminars at The Colorado Sun’s downtown Denver office.
Applications for this year’s workshop, which will accept up to 15 students, opened Monday.
Want to apply for this year’s Rise and Shine workshop?
Workshops will help students begin understanding how to tap into their curiosity and think like a journalist. Participants will learn about different paths and options for pursuing a journalism career and what makes an effective reporter, editor, photojournalist and presentation editor, among other newsroom roles.
Participants will spend the three workshop days hearing from journalists who work for newspapers, online news outlets, and radio and TV stations. They will learn how to find sources and ask the right questions as well as polish their photojournalism skills, walk through the best ways to use social media as a journalist and learn how to prioritize their mental health while working in a newsroom.
Each student journalist will also be paired with a professional journalist who will mentor them and give them a better sense of how they cover critical issues.
The Rise & Shine Journalism Workshop is open to students who meet the following criteria:
- Live in Colorado
- Will be in high school in the fall
- Have an interest in journalism
The Colorado Sun will accept applications from all high schoolers, regardless of whether you’ve had any previous experience in journalism through your student newspaper or broadcast program and regardless of whether you’ve ever considered pursuing a career in journalism.
Students from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. The Sun will provide assistance to any students who do not have a device or reliable internet connection. Those who live far from Denver and cannot attend the in-person day of classes can still participate virtually.
Applications are due by 6 p.m. April 15.
For any questions, contact education reporter Erica Breunlin at erica@coloradosun.com.