June 23

So if you haven't guessed already, my name's Linnaea.

This is a blog for BAMMA, but I'm pretty sure you already knew that. I'm not a huge fan of blogging, but it seems to be one of the way journalism is staying alive, and I'm all for that.

In fact, one of the main reasons I even applied to BAMMA is because I want to keep journalism alive. The circulation of news is something that this 21st century electronic age cannot, or at least, should not destroy. Journalism needs to stay alive, and as "the young minds of the future," as a San Francisco homeless man once referred to me as, BAMMA is (hopefully) preparing us to keep news circulating.

Why is journalism important? Good question. Maybe by the end of BAMMA, I'll get back to you on that. Just know that it is.

Anyways, more about BAMMA, so no one gets mad at me for not sticking to the topic. I just finished my freshman year, and before I started taking the online courses at newsu.org our Journalism 101 teacher told us to take in preperation, I thought my writing and photo taking skills were pretty much up to par. But maybe that's just because my school's expectations are pretty low. No offense to my school or anything, this was our first year having a journalism department. (Thanks, CIIJ!) But, once I spent about 20 minutes clicking through journalism basics, I realized my perseption of my skills was totally, completely, and udderly incorrect.

I'm crossing my fingers BAMMA will change that. I'm imaging I'll return to school in the fall, find my way to which ever room the journalism club has been moved to, sit down, and wow everyone with my amazing skills.
Or maybe not.

But, I am seeing journalism as a significant part of my high school future, a way to make a few bucks, meet a few people, put something on ye dreaded college apps. Maybe even a profession, if global warming doesn't kill us all. I know that BAMMA will change my idea of journalism, introduce me to new forms of journalism (Audio and video, anyone?) and send me on my way with the ability to be a better journalist.