The Summer 2011 Application is Now Available

Please visit our website for more information and a link to the application: http://www.princeton.edu/sjp/admissions

We have not determined the exact dates, but the program will run for 10 days from a Friday to a Monday. It normally runs during the first two weeks of August.

We accept only students who will be seniors during the school year following our summer program. Princeton has no other journalism program for high school students. If you have other questions, please send us an e-mail at sjp@princeton.edu and we will email you back as soon as possible.

Reporting for The New York Times

Watch from 35:27 - 42:25 for SJP alum Andrew Boryga's TV appearance, where he discusses his experience reporting for The New York Times.

By Andrew Boryga (Bronx, NY)

With the publishing of my hip-hop museum article a little over a week ago, I officially wrapped up my second internship with The New York Times, though the technical end date was sometime in August. I worked for the paper last year as a reporter for a blog in Brooklyn called The Local, but this summer by far was the most productive and enjoyable. 

From day one, I felt like a real reporter. Check that, I was a real reporter. I showed up expecting to be introduced to people at the Metro Desk, maybe even a little chummy lunch with a reporter or editor, but instead I was thrown right into a story. They told me they needed to find nannies, so I called up my buddy Joe who has a three year old daughter and asked him where all the kids play on a Wednesday in June. He told me about a couple spots in Central Park, and this was the result. 

The rest of my summer went somewhat similar. I would walk in and get sent to various places to do legwork for a story someone was writing. It was exciting because every day was different. One day I was in Forest Hills interviewing people about their lawns and the next I was riding buses in Staten Island talking to passengers.

About a month into my internship and a few contributing reporter tags under my belt, I got my very first print article published. Getting published in The New York Times was a goal I had since I was a student at SJP in the summer of 2008 and reaching my goal at 19 years old was unbelievably gratifying. I received so much positive feedback from my friends, family, SJP, and local publications in the Bronx –– I even had a short TV appearance (video above).

I rode that kite for a while, and worked on some other projects and a month later I got my second print byline, one that I shared with a really great reporter named James Barron. The story involved a sentencing, and I got the chance to experience what a lot of people in the building told me is something of a ritual for budding reporters––court stories. It was an intense scene, with over 30 reporters and even more cameramen stationed in a small space fighting for interviews. I learned a lot about the business that day and how other journalists work.

For the most part, my first two stories were fairly simple: straightforward, not much writing. However, my last story about the hip-hop museum made my internship.

Throughout the summer I had been pitching stories to editors at the Metro Desk and repeatedly got shot down. One day in August I had a conversation with a brilliant Metro writer named Manny Fernandez. He used to cover the Bronx and we spoke about a proposed hip-hop museum there a few years back. I got interested in the concept and he passed along some contacts that might know more and I called up another amazing reporter named David Gonzalez who gave me a rundown of the situation and even more contacts. By the end of that week I had about ten people to call, and I called every single one and realized the how murky the situation was and more importantly that a real good story was there.

After I got the OK from my editors I spent the next month chasing the story. I made call after call, trips to various places, and rarely ate lunch. I got to know the copy editors real well because I routinely stayed in till about 8 or 9 PM talking to someone, getting notes straight, or working on one of the 10 or so drafts the story went through. The whole time I wondered if the story would even make it out. My editors never guaranteed me anything, and my only shot was making the story compelling enough for them to look at it. 

The story ran almost a week ago in the Sunday Metro section. I can’t describe the feeling I had opening that paper and seeing half a page devoted to something I authored. It was the culmination of all the hard work, all the missed parties, road trips, television shows, and everything else a kid could expect in a summer. Seeing that article, I knew it was all worth it. It was a testament to the fact that if you really want something and pursue it with a passion like no other, it will happen.

--Boryga is a sophomore at Cornell, a reporter for The Cornell Daily Sun and 2008 alumnus of the Princeton University Summer Journalism Program. This is his second summer interning for The New York Times.

After 10 days of hard work ...

SJP '10 student Carissa Isabel Eclarin reads The Princeton Summer Journal on the last day of the program.

Imaginary Counselors

By Tammy Chan (Queens, NY)

This morning, I found myself waking up at precisely 6:59 a.m., anticipating a loud knock on my door— more like a bang. There were times within these three days, I swore I heard a knock and proceeded to open the door to show my face to the imaginary counselor that was standing right there. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not totally crazy. What was crazy though was dragging my feet to my door in Scully and turning what seemed to be the heaviest handle that has ever been installed on a door. I’m only half-shocked to admit this, but I miss the intense experience of SJP at Princeton University. Half-shocked only because part of me is glad to have gone through such an intense experience.

Ironically, what I miss most are the 17-hour days we had. From leaving Scully to have breakfast in Wilcox and then journeying, yes journeying to the Friend Center, it’s strange that I miss that long walk on hot days. I also miss being half-awake walking to the common room, looking sleep-deprived and seeing everyone look the same way and breathing a sigh of relief. I miss the little things too—like struggling every morning to take the dining card off the lanyard even though it was clearly accessible without taking it off. I miss starting the day out at breakfast with the ‘Alliance.’ I miss ending the day with a couple of games of Uno even when counselors would tell us to go to sleep. I miss the whole west coast, east coast duel, the whole shenanigan about how Long Island isn’t really part of New York (many thanks to SJP director Michael Koike '01 for confirming this on the second to last day with regards to traveling back). The list of what I miss could go on and on and on and on, but it would still never show just how much I miss it.

To be honest, I was glad to return home so that I could catch up on some sleep. So much for that … I still wake up at 6:59 a.m. and go to bed around 2:00 a.m., just because. It’s strange to think that we’re all back to our regular lives when those 10 days really consumed us in every way possible. I could tell my friends a storm about this program, but they’ll never really understand unless they were actually there.

This program really pushed us all beyond our limits in exposing the truth about our talents and about our abilities. The directors believed in us and pushed us a step towards the right direction. By doing that, we found out what our true abilities were. This program marked a time when we all thought that we couldn’t do it, but at the end, we hurdled down that obstacle and crossed the finish line … alive. I’m really grateful for getting the chance to be there when it all happened.

A Risk Worth Taking

Jonathan Wigfall accepts his certificate of completion on the last day

By Jonathan Wigfall (Camden, NJ)

When I returned to Camden, I emailed my guidance counselor to tell her about the program, and she told me how proud she is of me. Princeton was nothing short of amazing. I knew that going to the Princeton University Summer Journalism Program would be a great experience, but I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed myself in Princeton until I arrived back home.

The counselors, other students and the campus is unforgettable. I woke up the other morning and assumed I was late for breakfast because I didn’t get a wake-up call (a loud knock on my door at 7:00AM). 

I encouraged some underclassmen at my school to apply to the program when they become eligible. They could tell I had a good time from my Facebook updates and the TWO HUNDRED pictures I posted.

Sure, the first day or two was getting to know people’s names and getting a feel for the Journalism Program’s schedule. Names were rough for me at first but it wasn’t long before our class of students became one big exhausted family. I promised myself I would not put my head down and go to sleep, but I did manage to nearly fall asleep sitting up a couple times.

Once home, I took advantage of my right to sleep. I kept in mind that I couldn’t get lazy or ignore my emails though. So I got my rest, finished my new resume, and began looking for scholarships.

I now understand why so many alumni of the program return to volunteer their time as counselors. Being around such diverse and intellectual people creates a great environment, especially when it’s for a noteworthy cause.

At our closing banquet, Richard Just spoke of risks. Many of us took a leap coming to the program, traveling a long distance or just opening up to people who we met for the first time. I’m sure I speak for SJP’s class of 2010 when I say the risk was completely worth it.

A Long Ride Home

SJP '10 student Tashi Shuler-Drakes is seated between two alumni counselors.

By Tashi Shuler-Drakes (Bridgeport, CT) 

Tears, more tears, and a long ride home.

SJPers clung to each other while boarding the Princeton train called "The Dinky" and tried not to think of the final seperation that most of them would face at the next stop. Having become closer than we had thought during these 10 days, the seperation was more emotional than I had expected.

I had personally told myself that I wouldn't cry and I didn't. At least not until I was by myself realizing how much these people had meant to me and how much hope that they had given me. And the tears got worse when I remembered all the compliments they had given me and how they had all built up my confidence in their own ways.

So even though there were tears, at least I can say that they were tears of of joy. And I hope that I in turn have impacted some of them, as much as they had impacted me.

The Princeton Summer Journal

Hot off the presses! Check out this summer's paper!

http://www.princeton.edu/sjp/summerjournal

The Last Day: SJP '10 Rewinds

Video by Eileen Shim (SJP '07 Alum/Yale '12)

A Great Figure of Our Time: Dr. Cornel West

By Antonio Regulier (Roosevelt, NY)

“Keep it funky” African American Studies Professor Cornel West said.

With his three piece black suit, black scarf, long chain pocket watch and static afro, Dr. Cornel West commanded the crowd’s attention as soon as he opened his mouth. Speaking with a spiritual tone, like that of a Baptist pastor, Dr. Cornel West reminded us all that we were all the same.

Even though it was lunch time and we were all tired from having completed a workshop with Brian Rokus and meeting with the Princeton Director of Admissions, no one could fall asleep.

He started by talking about the corrupt jail system which continued to enslave our black brothers and how more brothers were in jail rather than in universities.

Having been around popular politicians and influential men in America, Mr. West shared his knowledge on the topics of immigration, racism, and discrimination. Although he doesn't agree with the Obama Administration, he didn’t quite explain why he and Obama are on different ends of the spectrum.

Yet, Dr. Cornel West was very adamant about us being nothing but "creatures born between urine and feces."

As shocking as that sounds, it is true. He is right. Race is nothing but a political concept. We are all humans, and soon, our bodies will be "culinary delight for terrestrial worms."

So, it’s all about how funky you keep it when you’re alive because we are all going to the same place.

Let's Get Silly

By Frances Richburg (Bronx, NY)

Silly bands are a physical representation of the band of silly students and counselors the Princeton University Summer Journalism Program has essentially “banded” together.

Somewhat of an East Coast phenomenon, silly bands are the ridiculously colorful bands you can catch people wearing on their wrists. Don’t be fooled, however, because these seemingly ordinary rubber bands transform into various objects, animals, characters, and who knows what else.

The East Coast students have successfully allowed the West Coast students to obtain a part of the East Coast flavor by introducing them to the ever popular silly bands. Counselor Ben Crair purchased a ton of silly bands and now everyone has several colorful bands on their wrists. Sometimes they coincidentally match someone’s outfit, and sometimes they just add a splash of life to the moment.

They have allowed the students to get closer to one another, and closer to the counselors. These items have sparked the interest of those unfamiliar with them and have reignited the interest of those who have long had them.

Their physical meaning is undermined by their emotional meaning. When people take them from you and never give them back, the silly band they have of yours will always remain yours and maybe when they look at it, they’ll think of you or they’ll think of what happened the moment they took it from you. Or, when people trade silly bands with one another, they’ll remember the person they traded silly bands with and the time and place they did so. They also spark furious debate over which ones are the nicest and who has what.

Such a simple entity has become quite the conversational piece amongst those who are meeting one another for the first time. I remember the first time I spoke to someone from California, I asked them if they knew what silly bands are, and when they said no, I instantly knew it had to be an East Coast thing which would eventually allow the entire group of students to form closer bonds, or bands.

Our silly bands embody the relationships we have built and the difficulty we will have in DIS-banding.

Investigating Violations in the Big Apple

By Imani Watson (Chicago, IL)

New York City is definitely one of the most phenomenal cities in the world! On Wednesday, SJP traveled to the Big Apple to crack down on car idlers. There is a law in New York City that does not allow cars to run their engines for more than three minutes if they're parked on the street. We timed a few idling cars and once their time exceeded three minutes, we went in for the kill (figuratively, of course).
 
I don't know about other SJPers, but I wasn't exactly fond of the idea of going up to random cars and asking the drivers whether or not they were familiar with the NYC law. Sure, I was nervous, but this was one of those scenarios where I had to fake it 'til I made it.
 
After the first few interviews, it was a breeze. Not everyone was responsive -- one New York City transit worker told us to go away before we could even introduce ourselves. Not everyone you interview will respond, but some will … and that’s what matters. Collectively, we got a lot of good quotes and stories from people that did cooperate with us. Investigative stories can be nerve-racking, but it's worth it in the end when the truth is revealed.

A New Perspective on Diversity

By Tonya Riley (Union Bridge, MD)

On the first day of PUSJP we discussed the theory of diversity in the newsroom. When many people hear diversity, they automatically think of ethnicity. However, color and origin are not the sole factors in determining what makes someone diverse.

As human beings, we grow and learn through our experiences and these in turn make us diverse. For example, I am a Caucasian female who at first glance seems to be a sample of the American middle-class majority. If you get to know me, as my fellow SJPers have, you would realize that you couldn't be farther from the truth. I am from a low-income rural area. I am a twin. I am a survivor of great adversity. Don’t these things make me diverse?

Being around such an eclectic group for nine days has taught me a lot about the world and myself. I now know how to say “My name is...” in Cantonese and Korean. I now know more about a culture of slam poetry and music that I had never been exposed to. I’ve realized that an intellectual is not just an elderly white professor with eloquent speech, (though I have met a few this week that fit that bill and who I deeply admire).

But most importantly, I have learned that diversity is not nearly as important as kinship. I have met friends this week that I would not have met otherwise. I definitely know that I will keep in touch with them through my college years and beyond.

Ryan Lizza on Profile Writing

By Shaiesha Moore (Chicago, IL)

As the days come to an end, I am filled with memories. The most recent influential speaker I’ve encountered was Ryan Lizza, the Washington correspondent for The New Yorker. He wrote a profile on President Barack Obama that we read in our extensive (aka really long) reading packet.

The best part of SJP is meeting the journalists who write the articles that we enjoy reading. And luckily, Ryan Lizza was one of those journalists. When he gave his workshop, he talked about the difficulties of profiling people and even conducting interviews with public officials. It was ironic, because right before the workshop I was trying to have a phone interview with a public official in Princeton, for the story I was working on for The Princeton Summer Journal. When I called to interview the official for my story, she was very rude and did not give me any relevant information; nor did our conversation last longer than 30 seconds.

As a result, I was kind of discouraged, and as Mr. Lizza put it, I had a personal “vendetta” against her. But, when I asked Ryan about his experiences, he said being blown off by public officials and other people is just part of the job as a journalist. He also gave me advice about how to handle people like that. After his words of encouragement, I was no longer discouraged, but I actually felt motivated.

Meeting Ryan Lizza from The New Yorker, is just another memory that I will add to the memories that have started from the moment I stepped foot on Princeton.

Audio: Teaching Students How to Write Personal Narratives

Mario Rosser (SJP '08 Alum/Columbia '13) sits down with Tasnim Shamma (SJP '06 Alum/Princeton '11) to discuss the personal narratives workshop and the experience of being a counselor at The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program.

Midnight Uno

By Tammy Chan (Queens, NY) and Jonathan Wigfall (Camden, NJ)

"Two for a mistake! You didn’t say Uno! Draw two!"

After a long day of workshops and guest speakers, there’s really nothing better than stepping into a hot, steamy shower, slipping into comfortable PJs and then finally being able to enjoy a brisk air-conditioned dorm rooms where the bed becomes our ‘bestest’ of friends. We are all sleep-deprived, and simply EXHAUSTED.

Nonetheless, we still make our plans to meet up in the common room to play a couple of games of Uno.

While most of us sleep, others make it through the night by playing our favorite card game.

Slowly but surely, the game builds its momentum as the night carries on. Sometimes it gets a little too heated; arguments start, then laughter becomes endless.

The game of Uno usually goes into the early mornings, but we still manage to wake up as early as five in the morning to get started on the day's activities.

Originally, only a few of us stayed up to play Uno, but as our group became closer, more and more people joined the program’s late-night craze.

“It’s cool,” Antonio Regulier said. “You get to communicate … and get to know each other.”

What was intended to be a short game to relax with other young journalists became a social activity among the SJPers that only strengthened our bonds during the limited ten days.

My Chair By The Door: Reflections on the Alumni Panel

SJP alumni relax in Palmer Square

By Marion Smallwood (SJP '07 Alum/UPenn '12)

Today is one of my favorite days out of the whole program. I sat in a workshop with Ryan Lizza, super-star New Yorker political reporter. I looked up to see SJP alumni from as far back as '05 pouring into the room, taking seats on the floor and sitting Indian-style on the floor. They shined their smiles and then immediately tuned in. It must have been reminiscent to have been back in that room, listening just as eagerly as they did as students in the old days.

They all arrived today for the alumni panel. Roughly 20 of us gathered in an auditorium, prepared to drop some knowledge in the student's heads about college, financial aid and SAT prep. After all, we all occupy some of the best colleges and universities this side of the coast. Who has a better brain to pick? (not cocky, honest!). That's just the kind of person SJP pushes out into the world summer after summer.

The students nervously engaged us with questions about rising SAT scores, transitioning from high school to college, university visits, scholarships and pure, undiluted experience. This is why I come back every summer. To inspire, encourage and mentor these students the way I was when I was in the program. SJP is so much of the reason I am where I am today. I only hope to create a fraction of the change SJP has made in my life, in the lives of one of these students.

We concluded the 'family reunion' with ice cream from The Bent Spoon and coffee. I must admit, I was a little heartbroken as I watched my own class (SJP '07 stand up!) and the class I first had the opportunity to mentor (SJP '09 stand taller!) leave for the Dinky. I may not see them again until next year.

But let's not think anymore about that. I think I'll just continue to sit right here in my chair by the door, read the student's blog posts and write.

SJP 2010 Talk with Princeton President Tilghman

Video by Eileen Shim (SJP '07 Alum/Yale '12).

Sports Podcast: Binghamton Mets vs. Trenton Thunder

By Antonio Regulier (Roosevelt, NY) and Jonathan Wigfall (Camden, NJ)

Friend 009

By Marion Smallwood (SJP '07 Alum/UPenn '12)

What happens when a group of people, people of different ages and backgrounds, from different countries and regions, with different styles and personalities, come together in a small intellectual space wedged within an even smaller time frame? For the past three years, this has been for me, the face of journalism. It is what diversity, growth and possibility look like. It is a change eager to be made, a promise to be kept, a world to discover and then rediscover. It is the Princeton Summer Journalism Program. 

My experience with SJP '10 has been exciting. The students never cease to amaze me. They are wide-eyed and ambitious; their minds so easily expand and explore the minds of others. I can't help but be inspired. Every summer is just another reminder that the fabrics of our thoughts and ideas are limitless; that being an intellectual attaches us to a network of phenomenal human beings.

Marin for example, is the coolest political reporter I will ever meet, I'm sure of it. Our conversations range from "cute skirt!" to world music, politics, pop culture and education.

The students are all amazing. I was so impressed to see the SJP '10 students diving in head-first, into their first experience with investigative reporting in New York City. They spoke to people (who were not very receptive) with a professionalism and maturity I respect and admire.

Another SJP counselor, Adrian, really impresses me. I feel like my IQ rises a few points every time we have a conversation. He is genuinely interested in what a person has to say and has something equally or more interesting to say in return. I have yet to meet people as knowlegable, passionate and well-rounded as Adrian, Richard and the rest of the senior SJP counselors. Every conversation is a lesson learned.

And so I'll ask again: what happens when a diverse group of amazing people come together to accomplish a common goal? Lives change. Bonds form. Experiences make art from the canvas of our memories. A group of students realize they have the potential to do the things they have only dreamed of. A question turns into a summer newspaper produced within the walls of Friend, room 009. How appropriate the name of the place we have worked and grown in these last few days of SJP '10.

A Dramatic Seventh Inning

Video by SJP '10 Counselor Amanda Cormier (SJP '07 Alum/Columbia '12)
By Tammy Chan (New York, NY)

Trenton Thunder vs. Binghamton Mets. WHO? Oh, "minor" league baseball. Definitely not the Yankees or Red Sox, but it is a minor league after all.

The baseball field looked pretty small, but still pretty decent. The actual seats, now that was a shocker. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to have an actual audience, but the space seemed limited.

Along with a few other students, I was able to watch the game from the press box and interview people who closely follow the teams.

Pressbox seats and press badges at first didn’t seem much different than sitting in the furthest row back from the playing field itself. Even so, the environment in the pressbox was truly an experience. We had the scoreboard keeper on the right, then a person in charge of summing up the whole inning right next to him.

It took a long time for the game to really start. There was some play during third and fourth inning by the Mets, but Thunders were behind four points.

Bottom of 7th. The live action begins … FINALLY.

Bases loaded then three runs batted in. Next thing you know, Thunders are up three points. Almost there. Score: 4-3, in favor of the Mets.

It didn’t end there. Another base loaded, four more runs batted in and the Thunders made their comeback. Score: 7-4, in favor of the Thunders.

Victory. Score. Those words flashed on the screen in the field before our eyes, celebrating the victorious Thunders in making their comeback in this game that ultimately put them first in the Double-A Eastern League over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.