Jeff Sigmund
NAA Senior Communications Manager, (571) 366-1088
Jeff.sigmund@naa.org
www.naa.org
June 1, 2009
NAA FOUNDATION HOSTS FIRST ANNUAL NEWS CHALLENGE IN RENO
Reno – The Newspaper Association of America Foundation has launched its first annual “News Challenge,” an effort to encourage young people to explore the many opportunities that exist in the newspaper industry. Fifteen students from universities across the country were selected for the program, which began yesterday and runs through June 5 at the University of Nevada, Reno.
News Challenge allows students to hear presentations from industry executives and educators before designing an interactive “news game” to help readers understand complex stories such as the economic crisis, international conflicts and other issues. Participating students have a mix of majors that includes business, communications, computer science and design.
“Since many different skills are required to succeed in today’s digital media environment, we wanted a group of students with a wide range of skills to participate,” explained Jeanne Fox-Alston, vice president of the NAA Foundation. “Young people interested in areas like advertising, business and revenue development, computer science and design will play a vital role in newspapers’ future.”
The 2009 NAA Foundation News Challenge participants are:
- Arlinda Marie Arriaga, University of NorthTexas
- Narasimha Bhyravabotla, University of Houston-Clear Lake
- Whitney Bryen, University of Oklahoma
- Andrew Gallo, ArizonaState
- Anna Hiatt, University of California-Berkeley
- Michael Higdon, University of Nevada, Reno
- Emily Krenek, University of Houston-Victoria
- Selene Macias, University of Texas-El Paso
- Kyle Marcil, Florida Agricultural and MechanicalUniversity
- Danny Martinez, ArizonaStateUniversity
- Amanda Peterson, University of Alabama
- Terence Rushin, University of WestGeorgia
- Angela Tam, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Leslie Ann Threlkeld, University of Alabama
- Danielle Wiggins, KentStateUniversity
Foundation Podcast
Fox-Alston provides more information about the News Challenge in NAA’s latest podcast. Full details are available at www.naafoundation.org.
About the NAA Foundation
The Newspaper Association of America Foundation strives to develop engaged and literate citizens in a diverse society. The Foundation invests in and supports programs designed to enhance student achievement through newspaper readership and appreciation of the First Amendment. The Foundation also endeavors to help media companies increase their readership and audience by offering programs that encourage the cultivation of a more diverse work force in the press. Information about the Foundation and its programs may be found at www.naafoundation.org.