SRL On Assignment: California

6 days, 2 schools, 1 story

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Until we meet again

At the end of this reporting trip, stories were told, bonds were made and lessons were learned.

Follow @reportinglabs for updates about the PBS NewsHour piece produced during this trip.

Photos by Thaisi Da Silva

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ALLICIA DEAN, ETIWANDA HIGH SCHOOL

Today was a day of goodbyes.

We were back to school, tired and feeling like zombies.

Spending half the day talking and learning with the PBS crew eased the dreary anxious feeling of just barely being back, but about to go on break.

It was definitely interesting and fun getting to learn about reporting from the great reporter, David Nazar, we got the chance to work with, as well getting to review what we did well and what we could do better next time.

Seeing some of the clips that we made was almost surreal. It was this feeling of “Wow we made this. We made it as well as possible and people will see that. And we had some part in it.” It tied the whole experience together in a nice little bow for us to look back on fondly.

But all too soon it was time for Thai, Matt, and David to leave. Some of us got teary-eyed or cried. Some of us, at least me, were just getting teary and sad on the inside.

We got our hugs and our words of encouragement. We replied with our “thank yous”, whether verbally or implied with our smiles. They all taught us so much. These people came to us and kindly welcomed us with open arms and now we had to watch them leave.

To kind of restate what Matt told us before they left ... goodbye is not the end.

It is not forever. We will see each other again and get to relive this kind of awe-inspiring experience, and maybe even have a new one.

I think goodbyes are more like a promise. A “we'll see each other again soon” as opposed to “this is how the story the ends.”

Because I know that our story is just beginning. And I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

Photo by Ty Koslowski

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TY KOSLOWSKI, ETIWANDA HIGH SCHOOL Time to get b-roll. This should be an easy day. There shouldn’t be any unexpected changes. Was that a lie. Today, I learned that filming b-roll is hard work. Our whole group woke up around six in the morning, and left to start at around seven after having a hearty breakfast. 

Our first stop was at Salton City’s Community Center. Although I did not get to film much at this point, I still enjoyed being interviewed by the West Ranch High School’s reporters. 

Next, we went to the mobile home park and grabbed footage of the community. One of our reporters even had to lie down near the highway to get a shot of the cars passing! Talk about exciting! Filming shots of the bus and the community was one of my favorites parts of the day. Not only did I learn new techniques, but one of the PBS reporters (Matt) trusted me with their camera! It was a great learning experience and I am glad I learned new ways to film b-roll. 

After that, we bid the West Ranch students farewell, and went to a restaurant to eat lunch. My salad was wonderful, and we all went to an ice cream shop that used nitrogen to make their ice cream. Finally, we drove a long way to our final stop for the day, Painted Canyon. In order to get to the canyon, we all had to drive on a dirt path and do a little off-roading, which proved to be a difficult task for our gawky van. At one point, we were sliding on the sand as if we were trying to drive on snow! After many bumps and divots, we reached our destination. After careful consideration, it was decided that we needed to get a shot off of one of the highest sand hills there, which required a long and steep climb to get to the top. However, once at the top, all the struggles of the day became worthwhile. The view and the scenery were amazing. The whole team that had clambered up the mountain had to gawk at the scene for a good minute before setting up. Witnessing the sunset while filming was the most worthwhile part of the whole trip. Or at least that’s what I thought at the moment. As we stopped at the hotel on our way back to pick up all of our belongings, Thai pushed Matt into the pool for him teasing her about falling asleep. This proved to be a funny joke, until Matt shouted that all the SD cards we had been filming on were in his pocket. I was devastated. At least I was until Matt and Thai confessed it was a prank. With the relief came a conclusion to a fun-filled, exciting and unique trip. And I have to say, this memory will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Photo by Thaisi Da Silva

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BY BERNADINE JUDSON, ETIWANDA HIGH SCHOOL When our Student Reporting Lab was chosen for the experience of co-creating and producing a story with the producer and director of the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs (Matt and Thai) along with an esteemed reporter for PBS SoCal (David Nazar), I knew this would be an experience that would provide them the opportunity to grow as journalists and inspire them in their futures. But, I was not prepared that they would get so much more.

After a whirlwind three days, with one more to go, we are back at home from our location shoot. I am left with some incredible memories, moments, which will forever be fuel and inspiration for me as a teacher. I have watched my students make friends- with professionals (their new mentors), with other student journalists, with a young lady whose life is a little different from theirs and with a friendly but protective dog. I have watched them wake up early and head out for a long day of filming and interviews, rushing from place to place, keeping prepared and being flexible in order to get the story. I have watched them stand, kneel, sit and even lay in the dirt, next to their mentors as they gained the finesse and the technical skills they needed to provide visuals to tell this beautiful story. I have watched them lug equipment and chase chickens.

My favorite moment of this wonderful journey was watching as they came down a hill from their shoot above the Salton Sea. This was a culminating shot for their two-day adventure on location. As they descended, the sun was beginning to set reflecting a beautiful light onto the surrounding canyons. And, although I knew they were tired, the slow and reflective pace of their silhouetted bodies showed that they wanted to linger a little longer. They were not ready to pack up and end this part of their journey. But, I know that even after tomorrow, next week or even next year, their story-telling journey will not be over. They have been given an experience, a gift, which will fuel and inspire them as they grow, learn and chase their dreams.

Photo by Hannah West 

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Adventure time

Our team ventured to Painted Canyon to shoot b-roll, throw rocks and make wishes. 

Photos by Thaisi Da Silva

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BY TY KOSLOWSKI, ETIWANDA HIGH SCHOOL

Today, I learned that not everything goes according to plan. Sometimes you have to scrap interviews, sometimes you have to film in a moving bus. However, in order to be a successful journalist, you have to “go with the flow” and improvise along the way to get the best possible material for the segment. Although our day began somewhat slowly, it picked up speed very quickly. Meeting and introducing ourselves to the PBS staff and the West Ranch High School students transitioned to uncomfortably managing a camera in a moving bus, which brought us to filming in front of the school that uses “Wi-Fi on Wheels” and finally ended with us interviewing a family involved in the program and meeting the small community’s dog, Hachi. However, I learned more than just improvisation in journalism. I learned tricks with filming interviews, how to better capture sound, and most of all, how to work with people I have never met before. Overall, I had a lot of fun with my friends, both old and new, and I feel that this learning experience will forever remain a fond memory in my mind.

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BY ALLICIA DEAN, ETIWANDA HIGH SCHOOL

There’s an almost overwhelming tension that comes with being on a real shoot for a real news broadcast. Get this shot right, make sure the audio sounds fine or else it’s ruined. It’s terrifying knowing that one slight mistake could be the end. Even using some of our own equipment that we are familiar with feels so alien. It’s the change of scenery, of surrounding people that catch us off guard and mess with our heads. But when you fight past the fear it’s almost exhilarating. But working is something we all know. Cooperating and getting to a common goal, to produce this segment and do it well, gives us that sense of familiarity. Along with the people we got to work with, especially Thai and Matt, it makes us feel almost at home. Like this is what we need to be doing, and here we are, doing it because we enjoy it and we are all so passionate about it. Despite the fear of just being rookie high school journalists that are way over our heads, this is what we are here for: our passion and our dedication.

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When we found out we’d be interviewing Superintendent Daryl Adams about his district’s school bus Wi-Fi program, we knew exactly where we wanted to interview him — on the bus. 

Sure we had our challenges, but we made it work.

Photo by Thaisi Da Silva

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BY RIANA TERAN, ETIWANDA HIGH SCHOOL

Excited. 

That word comes to mind when I think of helping with the Salton City story. 

I’ll be able to go out into the world, while learning all I can about journalism. 

Another emotion is nervous. 

This is the first time I will be working with an organization as big as PBS. Today I got the chance to ease my nerves as now I know what to expect. Two camera setup, producer sandwich, and how to use a neutral density filter are just some examples of what I was taught. Another important technique is over under which helps when you are putting away your microphone. 

I really appreciate all PBS has done for Etiwanda’s journalism department. By giving me this opportunity, I will be able to accomplish more to better my journalism education. Salton City’s Bus WiFi situation provides a great story and I can not wait to unravel more of the story as I come along on this amazing experience.

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Day 1 

Etiwanda High School students receive hands-on training from SRL Producer Matt Ehrichs. 

Photos by Thaisi Da Silva

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The story

The Coachella Valley Unified School District is one of the poorest in the U.S. with 99 percent of the population categorized at English Language Learners. The district installed WiFi routers on solar-powered panels on school buses and parked them at night in neighborhoods and trailer home parks where there is no access to the internet.

Our team will be interviewing Superintendent Daryl Adams, two local students who use this technology and their parents to find out whether or not this program is bridging the digital divide.

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Three flights, 

over 2,500 miles

and four lost suitcases later,

SRL team members Thaisi Da Silva and Matt Ehrichs arrived in Rancho Cucamonga, California to collaborate with Etiwanda High School, West Ranch High School and PBS SoCal on an upcoming PBS NewsHour story. 

Here is their journey.