Columbia LINKS Graduates Launch "Education Nation"

On February 16, 2011, 11 students of the Columbia LINKS reporting academy presented their work on "Reporting Academy: Education Nation" to their parents and peers. Throughout the semester, Chicago-area high school students underwent intensive training and mentorship by local journalism professionals. Students wrote stories about topics such as, the draw of gang life for Chicago teens in La Villita, and Chicago Public Schools' Zero Tolerance policy. New to LINKS this semester was a student-produced newscast, "LINKS Tonight," hosted by Anna Patricia-Juarez.

Columbia LINKS is a journalism skills-building and leadership development program for youth and teachers in Chicago Public Schools, run out of Columbia College Chicago.

Check out this photo slideshow documentary on LINKS by Chicago photographer Jason Reblando:

http://cyvn.blogspot.com/

Also, check out "LINKS Tonight" host, Anna Patricia-Juarez highlighting some of their stories:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_s_vZQcLO

Congratulations to all the fall/winter 2010-2011 Columbia LINKS graduates!