St. Teresa’s Academy Alumna Juana Summers reflects on her days of ‘Å“firsts’

Modeled after Brady Dennis’ original 300 word series, this series captures people and moments in 300 words: no more, no less

Her first day of journalism was intimidating.

Although faded in her mind, 2006 STA alum Juana Summers still remembers the nervousness of walking into M205 her freshman year.  Coming from Sion Lower grade school, she knew no one ‘“ her only companion was the backpack she gripped tightly with her small thirteen-year-old hands.

For the first week of class, she refrained from speaking up, cautious of what her classmates may think of her’¦ because, as a freshman, talking too much could label her as an over-eager suck up, or just a plain showoff.  As the days and the months passed, Juana reflected on her passion for writing, and decided she was going to apply for The Dart.

The day staff lists were posted, she approached Mr. Thomas’ door in hopes of finding her name.

‘Juana Summers ‘“ staff writer and photographer’, she read.  She was one of the three freshmen accepted onto staff.

Her first day on staff was hectic.

Instead of walking into class waiting for Mr. Thomas to lecture on copy-editing or photography, she was let loose to work.  Immediately, she was responsible for writing her stories, toning her photographs and communicating with her editors.

Her first day at Missouri University’s journalism school was crazy.

Instead of running up the stairs of STA to find twenty girls waiting for her in class, she stepped into an unfamiliar room filled with 350 unfamiliar faces.

As for her first day of her internship at the Washington Post?  Well, that’s a completely different story.