I'm coming home....

This past week was simply amazing. Today we had the reception/awards ceremony at Newseum. We met with Cathie Black, President of Hearst Magazines, and Free Spirits from previous years.

I've met so many wondeful people in the last four days and it's time to go. :(

Please enjoy the photos and see you soon.

-Kyle

Hello from DC

Hello y'all!!

I suppose I'm picking up on the diverse accents here in Washington, D.C. I have to apologize for not posting anything yesterday evening but I was just too tired to do so. I'll just give you the run down of what we did between yesterday and today.

Monday, March 17

I'm a little disappointed that I missed corn beef and cabbage yesterday at Grandma's and after writing this I'm stunned that they didn't serve any here either. After waking up at 6 am, I went down for some food, yet again. Then we departed for a long day at the Newseum. We had a formal tour of the Newseum. I didn't realize how huge and interactive it is. Our first panelist of the day was Betty Baye, a columnist and editorial writer for The Courier Journal in Louisville, KY. Long story short, she was hysterical. She was very random at times and knows "there are dumb asses in the world." Born and raised in East Harlem, NY, Baye says we are on the journey and the "journey will be the adventure everyday." Considering we were her fourth Free Spirit group, she was very inspiring. "Cherrish your inner circle," she says.

After listening to Baye, we viewed a documentary of "What's News," and later viewed a 4-D film. This 4-D movie gave us the opportunity as aspiring journalists to see what professionals went through in the past during World War II. The unique part of seeing the film was being able to meet the creators after the show. Not only were we able to view it, but talk to the creators too.

We departed for C-SPAN at 1:30 for a LIVE to tape show of "Close-up at the Newseum." I believe I got a lot of air-time so I just sat there, laughed and smiled. The show should air this Friday at 7 pm EST if you'd like to check it out on CSPAN 2.

Dinner was amazing. We departed DC to embark on a riverboat tour in Alexandria, VA. After the meal, we were able to dance the night away in the dance room. It was hilarious at times because some kids from the Southern "colonies" (states) didn't know what "grinding" was. Enough said.

Tuesday, March 18:

What a day!!! I had an ethical meeting with Carol Knopes, the director of Education Programs, Radio and Television News Directors Foundation. She spoke about media ethics and later Charles Haynes spoke to us about our Differences and our Democracy. Later, we attended a session with David Mazzeralla, Lisa Burgess and Leo Shane III. These are all reporters from various organizations including the Washington Post and Stars and Stripes. These war reporters corresponded in war zones which is something that I may consider down the road.

Later, we went to USA Today, like I haven't been there in 2 weeks!! We met with editor Ken Paulson toured the building and ate dinner. I'm exausted by the way so I'll make this short. Afterwards, we went for a presentation of "Freedom Sings." It was a multi-media presentation that tells the story of banned or censored music. The live performers lined up on the stage and were introduced. One musician composed music for Tim McGraw and another either wrote the Rocky Theme song or was a drummer during the recording.

Tomorrow should be exciting. I'll be meeting Cathie Black, President of Hearst Magazines and enjoying an awards ceremony later in the day.

Nite!!

-Kyle

Newseum Update

I love VIP treatment. When we arrived at Newseum, I didn't know what to expect. When I walked inside the building, I was simply blown away. First, it's huge. Second, it's my new favorite Newseum!!! After our discussion with Al Neuharth, the man who started it all we had a gourmet dinner, something I'm never used to at home. You can view photos above, maybe my family can learn from it! JK

Before I go to sleep, let me say this: I expected Al to be really obnoxious because his books, especially S.O.B. are written in that style. It turns out he is extremely friendly and simply an amazing person to talk to. I asked him a question which I thought would be comical. You see, when I try to ask questions during seminars like this, I like to wake up the audience and I did just that. I said, "Mr. Neuharth, we're all open here. Tell us how you really feel. What would you say to those critics today since they called your publication McPapers...what is your message to those critics?" The audience laughed; but it didn't get the answer I was expecting. I thought he was going to criticize them and say $%##%&*$#!!! Instead, he say "look at the results." Indeed.

I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Lata,

Kyle

Meet the Press with: Tim Russert

Tim Russert is probably one of the nicest intellectual journalists I have ever met. No. Tim Russert IS the nicest intellectual journalists I have met. Our day began early this morning at breakfast in our Mariott Hotel. As opposed to last weeks meals at a similar Mariott here in DC, I enjoyed this experience with the food better.

When we arrived at NBC studios we had to wait for a while in the buses until the studio was ready for us. I took that time to jot down my questions in a smaller notepad that was provided yesterday.

We formed a line of 102 students down the hallway at the studio. I had expected this studio to be extremely tiny, but I was wrong. It was instead extremely large. While I was waiting on line, NBC's David Gregory entered the building and dashed right next to me. It would've been more thrilling if I didn't see him during a show of "Saturday TODAY in New York." Once we took our seats I couldn't wait to here the introduction music composed by John Williams. I believe John Williams is the composer for most, if not all of NBC's music.

The first guests on the panel was Fmr. Senator Bill Bradley (D-New Jersey) and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-New York). Sen. Bradley seemed like he had no intellegence or at least wasn't prepared for the show; however Rep. Lowey had a great deal of knowledge in Sen. Clinton's campaign. I must note one of the funniest things during this trip. Sen. Bradley nearly fell off the set after the show. He stumbled over a step. The next panel for discussion was an NPR journalist, David Gregory, and a columnist from the Washington Post. For their exact names, visit msnbc.com. For sake of time, I can't research them now.

Afterwards, we had a group photo with Tim Russert and had a few moments for Q and A. He is probably the coolest guy ever to talk with. His producer was precious about time but Tim kept on taking questions. "Okay, one more question." A moment later. "Okay, one more question." And so on.

Next, I had a few moments to have someone take my photos on the set and later with Tim Russert. You may enjoy the photos above!

I have to run now because I'm supposed to be downstairs in twenty-five minutes for our departure for the Neuseum. Check back later for more posts, and possibly some commentary from Tim Russert's discussion with us!!!

~Reporting in Washinton, D.C. I'm Kyle Reitan.

Al Neuharth Free Spirit Scholarship Journalism Conference

Hello from Washington, D.C. It's beautiful here - well it was today to say the least. It was about sixty degrees, not a cloud in the sky. Once again I was on the shortest plane ride ever. Fourty-five minutes from Long Island to D.C.

The smart thing about this organization is they booked the same flight and same row as my other scholar recipient. So I was able to meet her during the plane ride. When we later arrived at the hotel, we were greeted by Free Spirit staff and recieved another bag, a t-shirt, and notebook. Then we were greeted by a variety of sandwiches, and salad. (Well, at least our stomachs were!) In the bag, there was a folder with another agenda and a list of semi-finalists for the 50K $ scholarship award. Unfortunately I was not on the list; however I am not going to let that ruin my trip. Surprisingly, I wasn't disappointed at all and I don't have an explanation for it. I think it's beccause I primarily am excited about meeting extremely impressive and highly popular journalists.

Later in the day, we were able to mingle while touring the History and American Indian museums. It's amazing how one can meet new friends in a matter of minutes. It's also pretty neat that all 102 scholars have the same interest-journalism.

After the museums, we departed for dinner at some Italian restaurant. One of my new friends says he researched the restaurant earlier and the day and noted that it was a chain. The food wasn't great. We were served a minimal proporion of spaghetti and salad. Afterwards, we had "a cookie." Next, we arrived back to the hotel, and sat in for an orientation. The directors went over our schedule for tomorrow. We will be up around five AM and will be heading to NBC News for the taping of Meet the Press. Yes, I will be meeting to Tim Russert and will be watching the segment LIVE! How cool is that? If you find somebody who has been able to perform this task, please let me know. The show will be aired later in the day. Oh yes. I just signed onto the MSNBC web site to see who will be the guests on the show. NBC's David Gregory is one of them!!! I just also recieved word that we'll be on a taping of C-Span during the week at Neuseum. We will actually be speaking and it should be quite interesting.

Well, I have to get some rest. Keep an eye here for updates at random times like this. L8tr -Kyle