NBTB alums head to college, careers as next-gen journalists

Over the past four years, we’ve been blessed to get to know extraordinary young journalists from around the country. Not only do we enjoy their company for a week at Stanford, but often they stay in touch with us and ask us for recommendations as they apply to college.

We’re happy to say we’ve heard from several alums recently who’ve gotten into college and have let us know that their time at Newsroom by the Bay helped them understand who they are and what they want to do in the world.

“I was accepted into Boston University’s College of Communication!” wrote Nebeyatt Betre, who was an NBTB Scholar in 2013. ” Thank you so much for your rec letter! My experience at Newsroom helped me so much. I just thought you’d like to know where I’ll be studying broadcast journalism next year!”

Nebeyatt Betre (left) and Patricia Jia met each other at NBTB 2013 last summer. Both are heading to college this fall.

Patricia Jia, who attended NBTB in 2012 as a Year 1 student, and returned last year as a counselor in training and a member of our Year 2 advanced strand, also has made her college decision.

“Great news! I was admitted to the University of Pennsylvania for early decision, so I’ll be a freshman there this fall,” she wrote.

“I couldn’t have done it without the opportunities you have given me at Newsroom by the Bay; those weeks of intensive journalism practice have helped me develop my passion for the field, and I hope to major in communications.”

Esme Argueta, center left, interviews a San Jose Earthquakes player during NBTB 2013.

Esmeralda Argueta, another NBTB Scholar in 2013, will graduate in June from Castlemont High School in East Oakland. This fall, she’ll head to the University of California at Santa Cruz, where she will study environmental science and journalism. Esme spent last summer at NBTB writing stories on climate change and healthy cities (click here for “One Step Closer to a Greener Life”). 

“NBTB was an experience I will never forget,” Esme wrote to us. ” I learned through many passionate and dedicated writers the meaning behind being a journalist; it is telling a story with heart and true consideration for others. I was lucky to meet so many students who loved writing, and we had the most supportive and down-to-earth leaders who were there for us in every way.”

Simon Greenhill takes the mic during the multimedia showcase to describe his team’s pop-up website project.

Simon Greenhill, a Year 2 student last summer who is now considering admissions offers from the University of California at Berkeley, as well as UCLA and Tufts University, offered this observation: “I think that NBTB helps convey interest in journalism and helps breed new, exciting ideas in its students — this allows students to prove they’re passionate about something while also applying their newfound skills to journalism programs in their communities.”

It wasn’t all work and no fun for Ethan Parets, at right, who managed to play a lot of Frisbee at NBTB 2013.

Finally, from Ethan Parets, whose smile lit up camp from the moment we met him, comes this: “Newsroom By The Bay taught me skills and provided me with experiences that directly led to my acceptance to all seven of the journalism programs I applied to. The opportunities seized during my time at NBTB transformed me into the writer I am today and I am thrilled that I will be part of the Northeastern University Class of 2018! Thank you both so much!”

If you’re an NBTB alum and you’re getting good news, please email us at newsroombythebay@gmail.com or tweet @NewsroomBTB. We’re proud to see you becoming the next generation of journalists!