Lemke Journalism Project Introduces High School Students to Reporting and Diversity Issues

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Students from the 2009 Lemke Project practice taping interviews at the UATV studios.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The ninth annual Lemke Journalism Project, a series of workshops for high school students from northwest Arkansas who are interested in writing about diversity issues, begins Saturday, Feb. 6. The workshops run for six weeks, concluding on March 13.

The project is sponsored by the Walter J. Lemke department of journalism in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Arkansas..

The project gives high school students a chance to meet with leaders from the community and work with journalism professors and professionals. The students write stories for a newspaper that is published at the end of the workshop and presented to the students during the department’s annual Journalism Days.

The project also includes an opportunity for students to create television programs with staff members of UATV, the university’s student-run television station. The students also learn to do photography and audio projects for the Lemke Journalism Project Web site.

Local members of the Society of Professional Journalists will participate, providing professional coaching for the students.

The program is free to students. Lunch and snacks are provided, as well as transportation for Rogers and Springdale students.

For more information on the project, or to apply, contact Katherine Shurlds, director, at kshurlds@uark.edu, or call 575-6305.