The National Student Leadership Conference

The National Student Leadership Conference is the only leadership conference made specifically students. Every year its held in Indianapolis and only 300 students from the United States and Canada have the honor of attending. I was lucky enough to attend and carry the Kentucky Flag into the opening ceremony.

When I was attending this conference we went to the Childrens Musuem in Indianapolis. I have a few pictures of some of the exhibits that werer there. The musuem was more focused on Ancient Egypt and modern Egypt. So most of my pictures are of that kind of stuff.

Also while there, we had the honor of going around to a few different high schools in the area and doing community service projects. These projects would’ve taken the school district months or years to complete and hundreds of thousands of dollars, but only took us a few hours of hard work. It felt pretty good to know I helped save the school district money and time. Now the students of those schools have better facilities thanks to us.

The students that I met there and hung out with were really cool. Most live really far away in places like Alaska or Maine but I plan to keep in touch with them anyways.

Ok. So my pictures wont upload. I will try again later. But you can see them on facebook.

One last thing, keep blogging. Keep it going. Keep everyone updated on whats going on in your life.

Some pics for you!

Hello people! Here are some pics I took at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.  I only uploaded 3, a far cry from Michael’s one-thousand and something but quality beats quantity : ) Just kidding Michael just kidding you know I love you.

 

 

 

 

This is from the window of my room.

I don’t know why this one is so much smaller… 

 

 

 

 

ok, so i was laying on the dock trying to get a cool shot next to the waves. Attempting to get a different angle, pulling a Chante, when a speed boat comes through in what is clearly a no wake zone. i am looking through the lense when i see these huge waves coming at me! It was at this point when i jumped up, rolled over, and ran away screaming "save my camera! save my baby!

There we go much better size much better

 

 

 

 

 

Again from the dock, but not laying down. Learned my lesson the first time.

I don’t know why that one picture is so much smaller! Geeez it is driving me crazy!

Well there you go fellow workshoppers! Keep blogging and stay in touch I miss you all!

 

Here’s an article I ran across on the new “Transformers” movie some are saying has racial stereotypes

Jive-talking twin Transformers raise race issues (AP)

http://movies.yahoo.com/news/movies.ap.org/jivetalking-twin-transformers-raise-race-issues-ap

The Xposure Xperience

I know I’m a little late in posting this but I got really busy towards the end of the workshop so I didn’t have time to write about this.

The Workshop started off really fun and got even better as time went on. From the beginning until the end we made jokes about pretty much everything and discussed every topic known that came up in our random conversations. All the field trips, videos and speakers were great even though sometimes we worked so hard that we could barely keep our heads up whenever someone was talking to us. This workshop was definitely the opposite of what I thought it was going to be. I will never forget our group and I hope to see most of the group later in life.

Ashanti Banks: You were definitely the boss of the group and was always making us laugh or in Sarah’s case making her choke on whatever she had in her mouth. You are a really good writer and I wish you well with editing your school newspaper. You taught me a lot in the 12 days we were together and I will definitely use it later on in life. I got really close to you and you know stuff about me that not even a lot of my friends know. One day we should get together and drink some PURPLE DRANK.

Mattie Russell: HALLE BERRY! lol. The country girl of the group and one of the most talented and passionate photographers I have ever met. I’m glad that I got to get to know you through this workshop because if I wouldn’t have then I would’ve just judged you on my first thought of you, which wasn’t good, but it wasn’t bad either. You had a ton of amazing pictures and I’m glad that you got the Photography Scholarship instead of me because that means you are more likely to come to WKU! From wearing your ring and attempting to take your phone everyday, to getting mad at you because you would go to sleep early every night, I’m just glad I got to meet you. Maybe whenever you come to WKU you will stay up later and not text so much. 

Chante’ Bean: Undisputedly the loudest person of our group and one of the best photographers also. You were never afraid of anything. Whether it be saying something really loud that wasn’t meant to be said loud or basically diving on the ground to get the picture you wanted. You and Ashanti kept me laughing the entire workshop. You and Michael made the best interracial couple in all of Kentucky. For example, that night that you choked him and you ended up upside down and he was in front of you. Ahhh…good times. Good times. Come to WKU!

Lexi Fletcher aka Cheddar: You were like the most random person in the whole workshop. Even though we had issues in the beginning, after that night where we had it all out, those issues disappeared and it was smooth sailing for us. You definitely surprised me with your writing skills whenever our newspaper was published. You seemed so silly and carefree yet the whole time you were serious and had a masterpiece waiting to be revealed. You have a good mind even if it is super silly and stuck on cheddar sometimes.

Alexis Washington: BEST FRIEND!!! Hahaha. You surprised the entire group whenever we figured out that you were only 14. Its okay though young one. You were really cool after we got everything cleared up. The only thing that was wrong with you was that you were extremely addicted to gum until Scooby and I had to break you of that habit. Im glad I met you. Btw…women are equal and deserve respect. haha

Chelsie Stevens: You never really said much in the beginning and I guess it was because you were trying to figure out what we were like before you said something. Towards the end of the workshop you began to talk more but you were still quiet. The only times I ever heard you talk loudly were when you were telling Kearston to shut up. hahaha. You were funny and a good writer.

Kalie Gipson: Straight up thug is the easiest way to describe you. I have to give it to you though, Tupac is the man. And you were right, Kobe did win the Championship. Never really said much but you did voice your opinion on anything and everything and could always back it up. Congrats on getting one of the scholarships. You got to take something home with you.

Sarah Mustian: We had some very interesting times. From giving you snake bites all the time and making you chase after me, to saving your life whenever you were choking on salad, through it all you are still one of the people I will remember most out of this group. You were a great photographer even though neither Scooby or myself gave you much credit. I’m glad I saved your life because if I hadn’t I wouldn’t have had anywhere near as much fun. Btw, are you really choking? Are you serious?

Kearston Winrow aka Katie Couric: Wow. I never met a more contradicting person in my life. You definitely have some different interest but you are very strong willed. I believe that you can take Katie Couric’s job if you do a few things first. Stop being so negative, stop hanging in parking lots, and lastly stop cutting people off when they talk. LOL. Being confident is nothing to be ashamed off because even though people may say they don’t like you because of it, they are jealous because they can’t be as confident as you.

Adrian Tate: Is this lunch? That was definitely in the top of 5 things I heard the entire workshop. Man, you were a little slow sometimes but once you started catching on to stuff you were really funny. I got to admit, you would always burn me whenever I wasn’t expecting it. Sometimes it would take me awhile to come up with a good response to whatever you said. Even though we called you slow, you proved us wrong whenever you started writing and talking to us about technology.

Michael Danahy aka Chuck: Save the best friend for last. I met you first and from the minute we said “hey, what’s up?” comedy and a good friendship were born. We had tons of fun hanging out and making jokes and running together. I’m glad I had you as a running partner because if I didn’t then I would’ve gone insane. You would do anything to make people laugh and thats a great characteristic to have. You will probably be my campaign manager whenever I run for president just because I know when its time to get serious, you can out work anyone. But whenever there is down time, you can make anyone laugh and keep it real with me. You kept me in check most of the time and you were always there to listen anytime I was confused or worried or just wanted to talk. I would do anything for you and I’m sure you would do the same for me. I can’t say enough about you but I hope this sums it up.

I’m going to miss you all. If any of you ever come back to Bowling Green then call me and I will take you to dinner or a Hot Rods game or something. Everyone should consider coming to WKU so we can work together again and make more newspapers, because it was really fun.

I love you all and I wish you all the best in life. I hope our paths will cross again someday so we can look back on these great days. Call me, text me or e-mail me if you ever need anything.

Abraham says “Don’t Be a Fool”

Abraham Williams gives advice to 2009 Xposure Workshop participants on life and what not to do in life. He warns the workshoppers “Don’t be a fool.”

Joe Imel Speaks

Joe Imel speaks with participants of the 2009 Xposure Workshop on being a story teller by being taking pictures or by being a journalist.

Follow the workshop on Twitter

If you tweet on Twitter, add us to your account.  we are:

xposureworkshop

Now that it is over, won’t be a whole lot of activity until we get closer to the time next Summer.

Add your twitter account name in the reply box if you don’t mind people following you.

Gary

Iphone photos from the 2009 Xposure workshop

Here is a link to a photo gallery I posted on Facebook. There will be more photos coming taken of and by the students.  Below Mattie Russell listens to Joe Imel during a speaker session on Community Photojournalism.

Click here to see the rest of the photo album.

Hmmm I wonder how many of you will read this since i put it up after the workshop….

My fellow journalists,

It has been my pleasure to be put into your company. Originally I was accepted as an alternate and then when I was accepted for real i considered not coming. Not coming however, would have been one of the worst mistakes in my life. I am literally crying as I type this, for the 11 days i spent with you all will always be remembered. I hope to keep in contact with all of you so stay in touch on the blog and facebook. And now, as everyone else did, I will say something about you all. Believe it or not my father said he thought you all were really cool and had amazing personalities.

Ashanti – oh my dearest ashanti you are one hell of a woman. you are strong, you speak your mind, and your motherly characteristics will never be forgotten. we will always have hundreds of jokes and i hope to stay in contact with you. good luck as editor velma.

Chante’ – i might start crying more as i wright this. you became nothing less than an amazing friend to me and more. from the very first night of the workshop we had a special bond that will never be broken. you have a personality that somewhat resembles mine. you can dance in front of many and sing whenever you please. we have shared things that will make me remember you forever. you better stay in touch. love “wraggy”

Lexi – i love you. your love for fashion is actually somewhat inspiring. you always told me to keep my back straight and as i wright this i am. the picture on my phone from wednesday night is hilarious and you will not be forgotten. stay good nasty

Sarah – white kids, catholic schools, and northern ky. you rock. although you can be somewhat clumsy and ditzy your attitude always brought something funny to the table. stay away from the salad and soccer players. cya around NKY

Mattie – ok well i guess im gunna have to say it like everyone else SHAWTY (i said it right) is a10! you made my experience amazing at this workshop and i will always remember you. teasing you was great and i loved when u scratched my head. stalking you will always be a hobby of mine and adrians. you stay up so late its crazy idk how you do it. we bonded a lot and it only too 2000+ pictures. you will always have  me as a friend and u better stay in contact.

Chelsie – we did not talk much however when we did it was good. you stayed up late for the all nighter and u often answered my stupid questions when we were at the computers. good luck in life

Adrian – “oh sh#$ here we go again”. after that first night i thought things would be really awkward. but we all worked past that and you became a very good friend. your constant playing of the show me your genitals song was hilarious. your convos with me and byron were so funny i almost died. and when u managed to talk to the group in its entirety i was always laughing. thanks for being a really awesome roommate. stay in touch

Byron – I knew this one would be the hardest. im sitting here shaking dude. you were my best friend at this workshop. i got off that elevator and i was like hey theres a kid down there i wonder what he’s doing. you said hey, i said hey, and comedy was born. i may be white, but when i am with you i will always be thuggin’. if i needed someone to talk to it was you. you may have been scoobys pet and i envied you for it, but you really were good at what he had you do and were probably the right person for the job. succeed in life and when you’re the president and i have a talk show, come and we’ll hang. stay in touch

Alexis- You are very sweet! your gum addiction is funny. we would sometimes talk about track and that was fun. helping you take your obama interview pictures was fun especially since you were scared of everyone we talked to. stay in touch

Kearston – you are my fellow competitor for a tv slot. you have the determination of a race horse and i applaud you for that. you all that girly stuff but that is totally cool and your confidence always had you speak your mind. the next time im in kashville ill check a club for you.

and finally Kalie – you were the best person to interview. you are an excellent writer and i knew you would get that award. way to do work!

so thats it, im tired and im going to bed….like a boss

love Chuck aka Michael Thug Danahy

2009 Xposure Workshop comes to an end

The 2009 Xposure workshop come to an end and we all head our separate ways. Thanks to everyone who made this a wonderful experience.

You guys were amazing.

Stay tuned for more end of the workshop postings coming soon.

Scooby