Alhambra's Zoe Halsne Goes To Washington

Zoe Halsne, a junior at Alhambra High, has been selected to attend a week at the Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University in Washington, D.C. Halsne has agreed to blog about her experiences there for Martinez Patch.

“I think I want to be a journalist,” she said this week. “I like the thought of storytelling and journalism has a lot to do with that. I always thought it would be interesting to be a news reporter or a photojournalist.”

Though Alhambra doesn’t have a newspaper, they do have a photography department, and Halsne is taking Photo 3 presently.

“Halsne has been awarded the opportunity to join a select group of 250 students from across the country to participate in an intensive week-long study of journalism and media,” according to a release from the university. “Halsne was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies. National Youth Correspondents participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical, and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media.”

Halsne and 249 other select students will participate in a week-long series of workshops, classes and speakers beginning on July 8. Students will observe and participate in broadcasts and events that help shape and report the news.

Halsne is no stranger to Washington. She was there in 2008 with her family to attend the inauguration of President Obama. But this time she’ll be with other kids.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “It’s going to be really fun. I’ll have three other roommates, and I’m sure I’ll make a lot of other friends.”

“This is the second year that Zoe has been in my English class and she has proven to be a clear and insightful writer,” said Frank Reichert, Halsne’s English teacher at Alhambra. “She writes quickly and with a natural style that requires little revision – skills that will help in today's world of instant journalism. She has a thirst for knowledge that will suit her greatly as a journalist.”

The lifelong Martinez resident lists English as her favorite subject, and lists her favorite authors as J.K. Rowling, Scott Westerfeld, John Green and F. Scott Fitzgerald.