Gus Richardson, who will be going into his senior year at Roaring Fork High School, had a grin spread from ear to ear as he explained how he became involved in journalism. Ever since James Steindler, The Sopris Sun’s contributing editor, visited Richardson’s’ AP English class almost two years ago to pitch the paper’s Youth Journalism Program, he’s been hooked.
Since then, Richardson has worked as a youth reporter for The Sun, meeting with a small group of other youth interns each week to learn about and practice journalism, along with some guidance from staff.
“I’ve been talking a lot about how much I like journalism for the last two years,” said Richardson. “[The Sun] has really fostered my enjoyment of it. It’s a very cool profession for a teenager, and by cool I don’t mean popular — it doesn’t make you popular,” he laughed.
Richardson noted that since becoming involved with The Sun, his high school counselor has kept an eye out for opportunities to continue sharpening his skills as a reporter. Having recently discovered the Summer Journalism Academy at Boston University, Richardson applied and was accepted to the prestigious program for this summer’s session.
The three-week endeavor entails a combination of lectures and hands-on reporting. Students from all over the country are coached on how to complete assignments and will be encouraged to explore the city whilst applying on-the-ground reporting strategies. Richardson mentioned how excited he was to be surrounded by other students who are equally enthusiastic about journalism.
“I’m so excited to be a part of a big nerd convention of other people who love student journalism,” Richardson said. “There’s something about being part of a collection of such people that makes me so much more confident.”
Part of the reason Richardson is able to capitalize on this opportunity is thanks to a $2,000 scholarship awarded by The Sun’s Board of Directors. Executive Director Todd Chamberlin said that the newspaper highly values youth voices.
“Gus is a great kid,” Chamberlin stated. “He’s very talented and well-deserving. I think he has a very promising career in front of him.”
Of his own volition, Richardson requested any dollar amount from the board during its regular meeting a couple of months back, and went in thinking it’d be great if he was granted even $100.
“I am very, very thankful. I think that the board recognizes how much I am working, and that I took the initiative to ask about it myself,” said Richardson.
While he is the first student within The Sun’s Youth Journalism Program to receive such a scholarship, Chamberlin said the board is interested in continuing to support students in this way as well as growing its existing program.
Having really caught Boston University’s attention as well, Richardson also received the highest scholarship amount offered through the summer academy.
Richardson feels that working as a reporter has made him a better person, broadening his perspective as a high school student.
“Ideally, if you’re practicing [journalism] it’s something that you really care about. It’s important to do things that you really care about,” Richardson concluded. “I think it’s really important, especially as a young person, to figure out what you want to do and stay pretty true to that.”
Richardson is still working towards his fundraising goal. If you’re interested in helping to foot his journalistic adventure in Boston, you can email him at gus@soprissun.com