The Tennessean hosted 13 college students from colleges across Tennessee for an Inaugural Journalism Academy from Jan. 9-11, 2024, located in Nashville, Tennessee. The three-day long academy gave the students a chance to attend seminars, speak with notable writers and professionals and make connections for opportunities in their future careers.

This year was the first for the  Inaugural Journalism Academy to take place which noted a beginning of helping aspiring writers across Tennessee. Among the group was East Tennessee State University representative Marisa Sardonia, a senior media and communications major with a minor in journalism. Sardonia has spent her college career working towards her career as a journalist, she has been the editor-in-chief of Overlooked In Appalachia for three semesters, a magazine that originated in Johnson City which works to unveil issues and start important discussions of the Appalachian Highlands. She is in her second semester of being the owner and operator of the magazine.

“It’s an oath to myself to tell the truth to the people,” Sardonia said on her journalism history, on a phone call.

Marisa Sardonia stands in the second row, third person from the left. (Contributed/The Tennessean)

Sardonia was chosen by professors Don Armstrong and Kate Trabalka to represent ETSU at the academy after showing excellence and dedication in the field. ETSU and The Tennessean collaborated to pay trip expenses, covering housing and meals as part of the event. Sharing a dinner with editors from The Tennessean on the first night, the academy was filled with enriching moments for all participators.

“I think being in a professional newsroom for the very first time, really strengthened what I believe about journalism and what it’s supposed to do.” Sardonia said.

Sardonia especially enjoyed her second day in which she ignited a spark of interest in photo-based journalism after speaking with a professional in the field who covered the Dec. 9 tornadoes in 2023 and other notable events. Enriching students with new undiscovered passions, the academy had an abundance of takeaways for all participants.

“I feel pretty confident that I’ll at least have some sort of advantage to getting a step up into the journalism business a little bit quicker just because I’ve had this opportunity,” Sardonia said.

The academy also offered one-on-one mentor meetings in which Sardonia got to sit down with an editor and discuss opportunities, career paths and improvement. For her meeting, Sardonia and her mentor looked over her portfolio and spoke about internship opportunities after she graduates in May.

“I feel like my work is understood and appreciated on a level that I didn’t always recognize,” Sardonia said in response to being picked for the academy.

For more information on the Inaugural Journalism Academy, visit https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2024/01/19/the-tennessean-celebrates-inaugural-class-of-college-journalism-academy/72194233007/.

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