The students were chosen out of 84 kids in Riobamba, Ecuador, based on their academic excellence and community engagement.

Kevin Barahona, Mikaela de la Cruz, Cristina Huisha, Leslie Parra, and Mikaela Romo studied at UConn the week of July 14. They learned how to use the 5 Ws How and when writing a news story, how to take sharp photographs using natural light on their smart phones and to record, edit and produce a podcast and video stories.

The students also had the opportunity to be immersed in the American culture and make new friends.

Lynne DeLucia of New Haven, editor of the Conn. Health I-Team and director of the multimedia high school workshop, stressed the importance of having students from other countries experience both the program and life in the United States.

“One of the things that we strive for in our program is diversity, because we feel that’s very important,” she said. “When I found out about this opportunity, we worked hard to raise funds to underwrite the cost of having students from Ecuador attend our program.  It was hard work, but well worth it, and we are so glad that they are participating.”

One American student in the program, Serene Feng, 17, of Manchester, said that having the students as part of the program “…truly enhanced my experience, I loved learning about the Ecuadorian culture, including the events back home that concern each of them.”

“I find it amazing that they’re all part of a program that aims to create connections between people around the world. I find myself very fortunate to see people like myself, ‘Latinos,’” said Luis Mila, 17, of Miami, Florida.

Ephemia Nicolakis, 17, Woodbridge, also enjoyed spending time with the Ecuadorian students.

“I think it is very cool that you five are having the chance to come America and explore not only the country, but also journalism! It has been so much fun spending time with all of you and learning more about Ecuador,” said Nicolakis.

Mikaela de la Cruz is a student at Leontive Vigotsky High School, Riobama, Ecuador.

They are receiving advice on investigative reporting, how to report and write new stories, and basic digital journalism, for example podcasting, shooting and editing videos with professional instructors.

Since 2011, the Conn. Health I-Team has hosted high school journalism camps and close to 300 students. The purpose of this program is to train the next generation of watchdog journalists.

“I think teenagers rely on journalism a lot in this day and age, especially broadcast. We want our information quick because of all the quick, advanced technology we grew up with and are constantly seeing it upgrade,” said Sydney Pitter, 16, of  Orange, who participated in the workshop.

The workshop brings together top instructors including, Kate Farrish, an award-winning C-HIT reporter and former adjunct professor at UConn; and Marie Shanahan, an associate professor of journalism at UConn with a specialty in digital communication.  The guest lecturers included George Colli, an investigative reporter at WTNH News 8, New Haven; Steve Buckheit, a digital journalist at ESPN; and Mark Mirko, photojournalist at the Hartford Courant, among others.

Mikaela de la Cruz photo

Mikaela Romo

This year, five teenagers from Ecuador participated in the program to experience American culture, gain experience in digital journalism and meet new people from other places.

Teenagers use the different electronic devices: computers, laptops, mobile phones to communicate. They also use the different social networks, such as Instagram and Twitter.

The students were able to use their newly learned skills in classroom exercises, such as taking photos of each other, writing profiles and working in a team and producing a video story.

“I think that is an excellent program because they teach you about how can you write an article only using you phone or your computer,” said Fidelity Ballmer, who participated in the program in 2015.

With the teachers’ support, the journalism program is a good way for students to learn how journalists use different tools to tell a story.

Mikaela Romo attends San Felipe Neri High School, Riobamba, Ecuador.

Join the Conn. Health I-Team at one of our week-long high school journalism workshops in 2015. Sessions at Yale University, July 26-31 and Aug. 2-7; and the University of Connecticut, July 20-24.

C-HIT student campers visit WTNH-TV in New Haven.

Program topics include:

• How to find great news stories

• What makes a good sports story

• Initiating investigative stories: where to look

• Conducting effective interviews

• Perfecting your writing style

• Using Twitter and Facebook as reporting tools

• Journalism ethics

What students said about our program:

• Lucy Norton of Northampton, Mass.: “After having attended this camp, I feel like I have a much clearer idea about what it means to be a journalist. I feel like I’ve improved my writing skills and been exposed to new writing styles.”

• Erika Pettway of New Haven: “The experience at the C-HIT journalism program at Yale University benefited me greatly because it taught me much more about independence and collaboration.”

• Conner Fritchley of Wilton: “I’m very happy to have attended this camp. I have learned so much from the professionals regarding journalism and I plan to utilize my new skills as often as possible.”

• Charlene Torres of Bridgeport: “I can honestly say the program was a life-changing experience, from learning the different techniques of journalism to engaging with different kinds of teenagers my age has broadened my knowledge about the world and things I hope to change as I get older.”

• Veronika Jelenik of Oxford: “I’m very happy that I had this opportunity and grateful for the effort put in by the instructors to help us become better journalists. I definitely feel more skillful.”

• Talon Cooper of New Haven: “I feel this camp has helped me become independent and made me a better writer. What I learned in the program, I am using in school this year.”

The Details:

Desmond Conner, Hartford Courant sports writer.

Hosted by: C-HIT (Connecticut Health I-Team) in collaboration with the Journalism Initiative at Yale University, and the Journalism Department at the University of Connecticut.

When: University of Connecticut, July 20-24 and Yale University, July 26-31 and Aug. 2-7.

This summer investigative reporting workshop will provide up to 25 high school students (per camp) with the opportunity to develop investigative reporting skills in a unique workshop environment led by distinguished local and national journalists.

Selected students will spend a week on a university campus, learning the tools of investigative journalism by participating in workshops led by award-winning journalists; working on stories for publication; and spending a day visiting a local newsroom.

Lisa Chedekel edits Abner’s work.

Instructors:  Lisa Chedekel, award-winning investigative reporter for the Hartford Courant, now senior writer for C-HIT; Lynne DeLucia, Pulitzer Prize-winning former editor of the Courant, now C-HIT editor; and Kate Farrish, an award-winning reporter, formerly of the Courant and now adjunct journalism professor at UConn.

Who’s Eligible To Apply:

Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and older, with an interest in journalism; prior experience writing for school publications an asset.

Cost: $900 to $1,200 for the program.  Some full or partial scholarships are available.

Program structure: Students will spend mornings learning reporting, writing and research skills. Afternoon sessions will be led by working journalists, in which students will use data to produce in-depth stories for their school newspapers or local publications.

New York Times Reporter Mike McIntire was a guest lecturer.

Application deadline: June 1, 2015.

For an application email Lynne DeLucia at delucia@c-hit.org, or call 203-215-6373.

Camp sponsors: Dow Jones News Fund.