Talk Story, Write Story
The path to college starts with just one caring person
Can you remember being very young and wondering what you’d be when you grew up? My first goals were to be a cowboy, then maybe a fireman. A little later I upgraded to wanting to be the second baseman for the Detroit Tigers. These were all fine for kids. But as many of us grew … Continued
AP’s Kia Breaux passionate about helping young people pursue college dreams
“I am the end result of the Talk Story, Write Story program’s mission,” said Kia Breaux, Midwest Regional Director of The Associated Press based in her hometown of Kansas City. “I certainly could have benefited from this program, and I know many others who could have as well.” She offered her remarks during a day-long … Continued
Talk Story, Write Story demonstration project is a success story
I used my Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute fellowship this year to test my hunch that trained volunteers could successfully help financially challenged high school students write their way into college scholarships. If my theory was correct, others could do what I had loved doing, mostly alone, for nearly two decades. My Talk Story, Write … Continued
Tad’s tender trap
Originally published on The Columbia Daily Tribune website Tad Bartimus has a way of getting you tangled up in her universe. You say “yes” to some little request, and next thing you know you are helping to save the world. I first met Tad when she was an undergraduate J-School student at Mizzou and I … Continued
Missouri high schoolers in Talk Story, Write Story offered more than $700,000 in scholarships
Originally published on The Columbia Daily Tribune website Leaving his wife and baby asleep, Erik Potter slipped away into autumn darkness every Monday and Friday morning to drive to Hickman High School, where an early-bird secretary buzzed him in. With just 90 minutes available in an empty conference room, Potter and senior Vy Le always … Continued
Program fits nicely with schools’ focus on access
Originally published on The Columbia Daily Tribune website In the Columbia Public Schools, we believe our students are our kids. We believe every one of our kids is entitled to A.E.O. — Achievement, Enrichment, and Opportunity. Three simple words, and each one denotes access. Access to a great teacher who will nurture and develop our … Continued
The possibilities are endless
Originally published on The Columbia Daily Tribune website Looking back on this academic year, I am most proud of my time with the Talk Story, Write Story program. I knew it was going to be a huge inaugural undertaking but had no idea how much this scholarship effort would consume my life. From Day One, … Continued
Volunteers and community newspaper boost local teens’ chances of winning college scholarships
They arrived early on a Saturday morning — not the usual hour for teenagers — and found the only open door along the quiet, cavernous hallway of an empty Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri. Stomping snow from boots and rubbing chilled hands together, they found us in the media center and sat down, one … Continued
Community collaboration key to successful launch of Talk Story, Write Story in Missouri
Mentoring program that helps high school seniors prepare for college entrance essays is a new way to engage with community
Talk Story, Write Story helps financially disadvantaged children write their way into college
RJI Fellow to pilot a version that newspapers can introduce to local communities