Hispanic journalist talks to Silver Chips

Kevin Olivas, the educational programs editor with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, spoke to the staff of Silver Chips during 5A on Friday, November 14, 2003.

Olivas spoke about the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), which provides opportunities for aspiring journalists. He talked about scholarships, journalism programs and internships that interested high school and college students can apply for.

The NAHJ is a non-profit organization that supports professional and amateur Latino journalists who work in both English and Spanish speaking media outlets. One of NAHJ's goals is to increase diversity in journalism. "Latinos are vastly under represented in newsrooms," said Olivas.

Olivas described some of the scholarships offered by NAHJ for Latinos interested in journalism as a career and other opportunities for all races. Blair alumni and former Silver Chips writer Fulvio Cativo received a $10,000 college scholarship through the NAHJ and Washington Post' Young Journalists Development Project.

Cativo has also gotten a paid internship at the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky. The NAHJ, Asian American Journalists Association, the National Association of Black Journalists and the Native American Journalists Association will be holding a joint conference, called Unity, in Washington, D.C., from August 4, 2004 to August 8. The conference is expected to attract 8,000 people from around the world. There will be events and programs for high school journalists before and during the conference.

Olivas complimented the quality of Silver Chips and offered help to any students interested in pursuing a career in journalism.

Olivas himself was a professional broadcast journalist for eleven years. He worked for several radio stations, but has left the professional scene to assist high school and college Latino journalists.