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Workshops woo future students

Linda Alvarez, weekend anchor for CBS 2 News, was greeted by Don Pollock, professor of communications, before her lecture to high school students invited for the University of La Verne's Communications Day. Alvarez, who previously worked as a teacher in Los Angeles and Venezuela, talked about how a career in television has allowed her to continue as an educator. / photo by Blanca Rocha
Linda Alvarez, weekend anchor for CBS 2 News, was greeted by Don Pollock, professor of communications, before her lecture to high school students invited for the University of La Verne’s Communications Day. Alvarez, who previously worked as a teacher in Los Angeles and Venezuela, talked about how a career in television has allowed her to continue as an educator. / photo by Blanca Rocha

by Gloria Diaz
Editorial Director

About 184 high school and community college students from across Southern California appeared bright and early for the annual University of La Verne Communications Day Oct. 24.

The day’s events included workshops showcasing the programs offered in the communications department.

The day’s keynote speaker was CBS News Anchor Linda Alvarez.

Workshops in radio, multimedia design, photojournalism and newspaper writing offered the visiting students hands-on experience in their fields of interest.

Participants in The Radio Product workshop recorded a promotional announcement for KULV.

Marc Sosniak, a teacher at Ulysses S. Grant High School in Van Nuys, has brought his students to Communications Day for four years.

This year they attended the radio and television workshops.

Students in the television workshop operated cameras and hosted a make-believe morning news show.

After lunch, students were able to view their broadcasts in a screening shown to everyone.

“The workshops are always excellent,” Sosniak said.

The “Reporting the News: Spotting and Covering Campus Trends” workshop offered students a chance to brainstorm ideas on what to cover during a slow news week.

Sunny Hills High School student Jay Yoon writes for the Accolade, a student newspaper for Fullerton High School and said he enjoyed the workshops he attended.

“The (television) workshop had information that was new to me,” Yoon said. “My second session (“Reporting the News”) was resourceful and presented good ideas.”

“This is the best turnout we have had,” said Michael Laponis, professor of communications and coordinator of Communications Day. “The sessions went well. From what I heard and read, it seemed like the conference and the workshops offered some help to them.”

Sosniak was impressed with Alvarez’ speech. He said it was informative and that her stories helped students see what it takes to have a career in the media.

ULV President Stephen Morgan introduced Alvarez, noting her long list of accomplishments, which include a Golden Mike Award and eight Emmy Awards.

“It sounds like I’m 95 the way they talk about me,” Alvarez began.

She shared details of her journey to becoming a weekend anchor after teaching in Los Angeles, Venezuela and Chicago. Her advice to students: “Work hard and see opportunities when they come to you.”

Alvarez began her career in journalism when she worked on a friend’s bilingual television show. It was during this news show that an NBC affiliate in Chicago offered her a job covering the weather.

Alvarez also shared some pointers on how to make it into and survive the business.

“You have to have a desire to learn,” she said. “If it weren’t for that, I would not be here.

Alvarez said her job is still a lot like a school teacher’s job.

“I’m still a teacher,” she said. “I gather information and try to present the most important information to my students, the viewers.”

Throughout her career Alvarez covered some of the most important breaking news stories. Most recently Alvarez traveled to the Persian Gulf to cover the war in Iraq.

While describing her experience covering the war, the lights in Dailey Theatre went off because of a power outage, but Alvarez held her ground and continued on with her story.

“I have a newfound respect for the Navy,” she said. “They left their families just like I did.”

As for the sacrifices she has had to make for getting this far, she commented how it is hard for anyone who is career oriented because it takes a lot of time away from your family.

“I am always on call, but I try to keep my priorities straight,” Alvarez said. “There is a lack of job security, but I do it because this is what I love to do.

“The positive always outweighs the negative,” she said.

Alvarez also told the students that they have to be willing to work hard and be strong.

She said a key to surviving in the industry is to be confident and to be able to communicate.

“(Alvarez) did an outstanding job,” Morgan said. “She has a breadth of experience and she was able to share it with the students effectively.”

“She was great,” added Elyse Martin of Newberry Park High School in Newberry Park. “I liked her message. I could see her passion for her work.”

Gloria Diaz
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Blanca Rocha
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