Am I inspired to be a Journalist?

I love the fact that Journalist can get out there and seek out the truth to any stories they are presented with. To be honest, I'm a terrible writer. If most of you guys have not noticed yet. My grammar is horrific. Still I am enrolled in a Journalism course, why? I'll tell you the reason why. My dreams is to get into a college that major only art. I really want to become a graphic designer. I know this has nothing to do with journalism. I beg you not! Believe it or not! I feel that journalism is very artistic in it's own unique way.
Most people that joined this course must be excellent writers, right? WRONG! You don't have to right well to be a reporter. I learned that when I was in a workshop with some of the officers in our headquarter. The speaker said that there are many job titles out there, like photographer, interviewer....umm thats all I can think of at the moment. Anyways, I'm trying to say that I was inspired to be a journalist because I want to learn how to seek out the truth. Enough B.S. you see on t.v. or read in the newspaper. I don't need to write well to play a part in a paper. OMG! My brain is so scattered! LOL, I bet you guys are thinking "WTH!" is Minh writing right? Well, to answer your question. I am practicing my free writing skills. It's something I read in a book.
Back to the story. Journalism might not be my first choice to major in college. However I am willing to learn more about it. So people am I inspired to be a JOURNALIST?

The Reporter's Traning 101

3. We will be using a site called http://www.newsu.org/ to train you on Journalism as a profession. First, you need to create an account using your gmail account. You will not need to pay anything or give them any personal information. After you have registered, sign up for the Be the Reporter Game. After you have played the game, write a blog about what you see as the most important purpose for news reporting. What do you think is the main motivating factor in the mainstream media? Do you agree or disagree with that? In your opinion, what do you think should be the most important factor for reporting about news? Blog about it.

Wow, this website is amazing! I never thought that it was so hand's on. The features that I like about this training course would be the attention you get from the "game" itself. It feels like a game but its really a better way to understand the situation that a reporter goes through. The game really stress on the fact the we as true journalist must be the right information and truth. If you don't get the correct info. There is high possibility of you taking on a liability lawsuit. I really enjoy when you get the right data back to the headquarter. Because you get a good job from the boss, but when you get the wrong one she'll kill you. Its funny on how she got so pissed ahhaah...

I think that mainstream media is very important. They reason why is because we can send out so much info. throughout the world within a blink of an eye. Sometimes its helpful to us. However we must see if these tips are true. We can't stand to broadcast something that is bogus. That would go against our mission.

Polls of the safety around our neighborhood.

Question:

Do you guys feel safe in your school campus?
Safe
Somewhat Safe
Unsafe
Very Unsafe
What makes you feel uneasy around your neighborhood?
Yes
No
Has there been any violence activities around the area in which you live?
Yes (Gun wars)
No
What are your concerns about this?
More police Less Police
More After school activities
Less after school activities

After asking these questions to random students in our school campus. I discovered that some of the students come from rough neighborhoods. I can relate to this because, I live near the projects of Sunnydale. Some of my friends had witness many violence activities relating with guns. Not to long ago, there was a gun war killing two innocent victims. They were two African American young men, from the age of 17 to 18. I asked them "So what would you like to see differently" Their responses were brief, "All we really need is more things to do after school." This was a common answer throughout my interview with different students. They don't want to see police officers. Its good to have more of the officers around, but they rather have more activities to do after school.
I realized that the crimes that has been happening are related with teenagers ranging from he age of 13 and up. It makes sense to have more programs for them to do, instead of rolling down dangerous streets.

My Place in Government

Hello journal, I just recently took a quiz in where I stand in the political map.

Here are my results.

It was a bit of a shock to see that I am in the middle of it. 

Week 6: My Vision Shattered, Lets PICK up the pieces again! Shall we?

During the election I was very nervous because it was my third time running for student office. Everyone had such great speeches. I think that Leonel Sa. would make a great VP. When I see Kevin Dang as president I kinda wonder if he can be serious or not. I feel he joke and play around to much. But, there's moments that I felt that he can overcome that can be serious. When the result came, I was shock to know that I didn't get the position. I was so heart broken because I worked so hard. So many people were also disappointed that I didn't get it. In a way I felt that I kind of disappointed them. After everything I was given a choice to become the school's Public Affairs Officer. This was a great chance for me to redeem myself. Beside public affairs is all I really do anyways. I hope to continue my positive energy to people that needs it, and I will not give up trying. Lets pick up the pieces again shall we?

Below is a copy of my speech, read it and tell me what you think?

Welcome Burtonians,

My name is Minh Tran; I'm a senior for those who don't know me personally. First and foremost, I would like to thank you all for coming here and supporting me. You guys might have noticed that I am running for the position as president of student government. The reason why I am doing this is to benefit you guys and our school community. I am also doing this because I care, and I actually want to see positive change within our school campus.

Last year, I was one of the devoted candidates that ran for Junior class President. I ran against Danice Delos Santos, and we both had great ideas and opinions on how we should govern our school. The campaign left me with many great memories and experiences that I learned from, and I can apply these ideas to this new year, although I lost to a great leader and friend.

I stand here once again before you all: The Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and my fellow seniors. As I am hoping to win as ASB President, I know you guys will not be disappointed if I win, since I am a dedicated leader who never gives up and never loses focus. I think that you would want a leader who does not give up, right? I am that person, and I will not let you down. I am one of those consistant people who keeps going until I achieve success.

I have been with ASB for the past three years, showing my admiration for our school since I was a freshman. I have experiences in making difficult decisions with school affiliations, such as homecoming, boatdance, food fests, rallies, and most school activities. How many of you guys went to last years homecoming? From what I have heard, that was one of the best homecomings Burton has ever hosted. I was part of a fantastic team of planners and event coordinators, lead by the members of ASB. In fact, because I contribute so many useful ideas, the name "Puma Night Club" that I thought of last year for our homecoming, is the name that Burton will always carry on as a school tradition.

If elected president of our school, I will not fail Burton and I promise to do whatever it takes to make our school a better place to learn and socialize. As president of the school, I want to provide a better way of communicating throughout campus. Journalism is the perfect example of that proposal. Last year journalism was going to be canceled, but I fought to keep the program alive; and now, we are changing directions for the best of our school. We are getting rid of the actual paper, and publishing it online so that everyone can access information conveniently within seconds. Also, Clubs are one of our best after school activitities that need to be acknowledged. Most of these clubs are limited on funding; However, I plan to do more fundraising events that can contribute a decent amount of money to support these evergrowing clubs. This also falls under the four, different class budgets. I plan to invest in the freshmen and sophomore classes, since you are what is going to keep our school motivated. Meanwhile, I want to give the seniors something they can remember when they graduate. We, as the body of the school, need to work together in spreading school pride and self determination of what we want to do after high school.

I ask you to vote for ME, Minh Tran, as your President of not only student government, but also our school community. Please don't hesitate to come to me and express your ideas and concerns on how we can all change the school, since I am willing to listen and can easily be approached.

Thank you, once again, and remember: If you vote for Minh, you will WIN!

DON'T VOTE! UNLESS YOU WANT TO.

Dear Mr President.

Dear Mr President.

My name is Minh Tran. I'm a senior at Phillip and Burton High school. First and foremost I would like to congratulate you on winning the November election. I am hoping that you would take a closer look in the education system. I will be leaving high school this year as I prepare myself to go to college. During your campaign you mention a lot about improving the education system that will help student like myself to get better loans with low rates. How would you do this? And when can we start seeing the results? I don't want to see another Bush effect. I feel that the economy is going so slow. People are not spending as much. We are scared that more and more banks will go out of business and jobs being shipped over sea. How will you change this from becoming worse? Will you have a plan to create more jobs for the jobless? MediCARE is a huge topic that I held dear. I was an immigrant and I lived of of MediCare. Many of Americans does not have insurance. People are dying and babies are getting sick. What would you do to improve the system?

I thank you and hope that you make change.

Yours Truly

Minh Tran

Assignments for Week 5

1. Read each others' Letters to the Next President and provide comments and editing notes. You should see the shared documents in your google docs folder (and an email notification if the writer chose to send an alert). Use the editing tools and especially the commentary tool to provide feedback on the content, grammar, and clarity of the letter. Make suggestions using the comment bubbles. The writer and myself should be able to see the readers' comments and editing immediately.

2. Check out other school-based news websites. Use this form to review what you like/disliked about these sites.

3. Identify a school or community event, issue or story for your first article. Brainstorm what you already know, ask yourself what questions you still have, do some research and then come up with a key question. Then, plan out where you need to gather information and interviews.

________________WORK HERE! SEE BELOW______________

1. The Lowell website was good but there was way to much text, maybe more images would be great.

2. Washington Webpage is nice yet a bit bland.

3. The Lincoln Log seemed a bit boring. Its to bland

I live in a community that is lacking lots of motivation. I go to a school that lacks acknowledgements. As a community there are many issue that need to be dealt with such as gang related violence. Almost every other month at least one person is shot or killed near were I live. However we can try to attempt to solve this problem? After going online and doing a bit of research myself, I found out that there are many programs that help teach young children about the danger of violence. The key answer to these problems is to teach the young people that its not okay to harm someone else, also its never good to try any type of drugs. Because in the long run it will hurt yourself and the people around you. I plan to spread the word about these programs that is being provided in the YMCA learning center. Its always best to know these things at a young age.