Guest speakers elighten the Brook; Gwen Ifill

Written By:
Madeline Kim

Published:
Feb. 25 2010

Springbrook High School welcomed journalist television news correspondent and news program moderator Gwen Ifill to speak of her experiences in the journalism field on February 17. She is well-known for her publications in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Ifill has been reporting news in all ranges of media, from her start in newspapers writing for the food section to moderating the presidential debate between Senator John McCain and President Barack Obama.

Ifil started her career as a news anchor for National Broadcasting Company (NBC) in 1994. She is a distinguished journalist and one of today’s leading African American and female television reporters.

"I was very fortunate honestly to have gotten such an early start in my career. You can get in the door a lot of different ways but what matters is what you do once you get in the door. I knew I was going to make a good writer," Ifill said. "And I learned that figuring out what you do not know is the heart of being a journalist and also being a good citizen."

Ifill has faced criticisms in the past concerning her political bias as a moderator for vice-presidential and presidential debates. As a professional, she spoke of her personal experiences and involvement with campaigns, and how she managed to keep her thoughts out of reach from her career.

"I do not find it very hard at all to separate my beliefs, which I have as a human being, with my work ethic. The secret really is to always stay curious. If I am feeling pessimistic or skeptical about something, I turn that skepticism into curiosity and ask questions," Ifill said.

In a journalistic world predominately dominated by white men, Ifill is certainly a rare face, and one looked up to by others who know the feeling of being different and want to make a difference.

"I know the responsibility of being a role model for others and I would say that is a challenge that I go through everyday of my career.Ifill also spoke of her desire to "have it all," "You have to decide what you’re going to do first in life and then what you’re planning to do next," Ifill said. "But the key is to not feel trapped with what you choose to do."

Students and staff who attended the event were given the chance to play the role of a journalist and ask Ifill questions and ultimately learn more about all she has accomplished in her career.

"She was very established and it was very interesting to see how she had progressed and went from one thing to another. She is so successful and was really a great inspiration," senior Sarah Olabosipo said. Olabosipo was chosen to introduce Ifill to the crowd of people that lined the rows of the auditorium. "I thought she was a good speaker, I just really wanted to introduce her."

A vast majority of the faces were made up of Blueprint and Trident staff members, Springbrook’s student-run newspaper and yearbook, respectively The assembly was an opportunity for aspiring journalism students to get a feel for what it is like to have a career in that field.

"She really inspired me to work hard because she started out just running errands and basically being a copy girl, and now she is really successful as a journalist," sophomore Meredith Blair said.

As the assembly was nearing an end, senior Anais Navarro-Laurent was lucky enough to have the opportunity to ask Ifill the final question that summed up the essence of the assembly. She asked, "how should young people pick up the torch left off by civil rights leaders and others in the movement?" Ifill’s response summed up her thoughts on the morning,

"We have to continue to stay curious, always ask questions, and have responsibility to pick up where others left off."