Our first “real” day

Walter Teng-Tram works intently on his article.
Jewel Devorawood // Mosaic Staff Photographer

By Andy Fang // Mosaic Staff Writer

After our first “real” day of the Mosaic program, I’ve realized that the program allows us to be more independent than I was expecting.

I’m glad that, consequently, we have an experience that more accurately depicts the newsroom environment.

We’re offered guidance and help, but at the same time, we’re not coddled.

I think this will lead to us experiencing real growth as budding journalists.

Read: I LOVE MOSAIC

Mr. Wizard working hard on his article.
Margaret Lin // Mosaic Staff Photographer

By Creo Noveno // Mosaic Staff Writer

I’ve never been so frazzled in my entire life.

My brain hurts, which is a good thing, I suppose. If it hurts, it must be working.

The first day opened with a marathon of speakers imparting their words of wisdom to my wide-eyed, bushy-tailed group and left me feeling a little more nervous about journalism – if not a little more excited.

Elliot Almond is incredibly intimidating; David Early looks like a part-time bad ass reporter who moonlights as a teddy bear (I won’t admit how tempted I was to hug him).

Marcos (I fail to remember his surname, my faulty memory will lead to my doom in this profession) spoke with us about our story ideas. I’ve never felt so unprepared about articles before.

Armed with nothing but vague ideas and the prospect of an interview with a multi-Pulitzer Prize award-winning writer, I think I’ll be going home trying not to weep too loudly into my pillow.

Read: I LOVE MOSAIC.

First Day in the Newsroom

Kimmy Tejasindhu listens attentively during the daily morning discussion of the San Jose Mercury News.
Jewel Devorawood // Mosaic Staff Photographer

By Kimmy Tejasindhu // Mosaic Staff Writer

After farewell kisses and goodbye biddings to parents, the heavy front doors sealed all Mosaic students into the Washburn Hall lobby, leaving us to deal with a massive block of awkward ice between us to break.

But once I stepped into the room, all worry and fear melted away when I realized how many amazingly personalities were all being joined together.

Each Mosaic student has their own unique spirit and incredible individuality that is so intriguing.

We did a few activities that helped us to get to know a little about each other and it was great to see how many people had such strong interests in writing and journalism—just like me!

Now, being in the newsroom actually working hands-on with editors on my story ideas, I have never felt more like a true journalist in my life.

Truth be told, I’ve always had this image in my mind ever since I was a kid of how awesome being a journalist would be. Never did I ever consider the difficulties and hardships that actually come with job.

Being a journalist requires stepping out of comfort zones, reaching out to the public, and doing anything or everything to get the story completed and perfect.

Today, in the magazine room, we met a few of the most amazing people that you could ever hope to mentor you into the journalism industry—Elliot Almond, David Early, and my editor Marcos Cabrera. I learned so much from them today that I feel so educated and prepared to work.

These three men have established themselves so well in their own careers and are willing to do anything to help aspiring journalists to reach their full potential. They were so nice and kindhearted that all students felt free to ask any questions that pertained to writing and their careers.

Elliot proved to be very funny and kind, he was very willing to help any students with story ideas.

David Early was such a rambunctious character who had everyone laughing and involved in the discussion. Mr. Early truly opened all eyes to the truth of journalism—a dying print industry making its slow and clumsy transition into the digital world. I had my first feelings of doubt and fear about entering the industry.

Marcos Cabrera, who as luck would have it became my own personal editor, is so great and I can’t wait to work with him because he seems so helpful, smart, and experienced in the field.

Nashra’s First Day

By Nashra Anwer // Mosaic Staff Writer

It’s been quite a day with a lot to process in only a few hours. Joe and the other advisors who spoke to us today were definitely right when they said that it was going to be a lot of work, but they were also right about saying that it would be fun. I’m enjoying this so much: the staff has been great today, and the work, while nerve-wracking, is absolutely fantastic. I have three assignments so far. I’m a little concerned about how I’m going to allot my time to each piece, but the subjects that I’m covering are all things that I’m passionate about. I’ve called high school students that love volunteering, contacted a former Facebook employee, and also a camp counselor who has contacts with Pixar Animation. I’m looking forward to seeing how everything is going to play out.

Day in Action

Naib Mian, Andy Fang, and Gabe Quintela (from left to right) pose for a picture.
Ashley Lugo // Mosaic Staff Photographer

By Gabe Quintela // Mosaic Staff Writer

My first day at Mosaic threw me directly into the action. After reading today’s Mercury news over breakfast we were introduced to David Early, who I am convinced may be the most interesting man in the world. Early told us several stories of his experiences as a journalist holding no details back, after a few tales of gun fights and burn victims.

I went off to interview two high school girls who will be competing in the upcoming Olympic Games. Opening the door of the ICC Table Tennis Club, I was unsure of what to expect. but the reassuring words of Elliot Almond were enough to keep me calm.

Waiting around for a little over an hour to get a five minute interview introduced me to the frustrations of journalism maybe much sooner than I wanted, yet overall I have only good things to say about the program and I can’t wait for what is to come.

A whole new emotion

Lexy Brown reads the San Jose Mercury News during breakfast.
Ashley Lugo // Mosaic Staff Photographer

By Lexy Brown // Mosaic Staff Writer

I don’t think any of us knew what we were getting into.

Our first full day of Mosaic found us nervous in the Spartan Daily newsroom, wondering just how much would be thrown at us.

We had been warned that free time was minimal and that work would start quickly. But were we really ready?

Had years of journalism class, high school newspaper and yearbook prepared us for this,  two weeks of breathing words and bleeding ink? Two weeks of seeing life through a camera lens.

We love journalism, but would this push us to our limits?

Thirty minutes to write out our story ideas. We all felt the pressure of making sure our ideas were not only novel, but feasible.

We had to make sure we could find contacts and develop the stories.

It was a mix of terror and excitement, nerves and expectations. It was a whole new emotion.

The first day of Mosaic was intimidating at first, but once I sat down in the news room and started writing, I relaxed with faith in my love of writing.

Mosaic Day 1

Students hard at work. First slugs already starting to appear on white board!