Cherubs reflect on how the program changed their lives

By Tate Tuckman

As soon as Jim Santel, a cherub from St. Louis, finished his junior year in high school, he knew he had an exciting summer ahead of him.

Lorraine Lee, Sophia Shin, Elizabeth Rowe, Alexa Fogler and Aisha Hasan hang out at the lakefill campfire party hosted by the CAs.

Between traveling to Europe and heading to Evanston, Ill. for five weeks, Santel expected change in his life. He said attending the journalism cherub program would allow him to not only excel as a writer, but also have a life-changing experience.
 
“One thing I have learned about writing is that it is never done,” Santel said. “You can think you have a perfect 11-word lead, and you can pare it to eight.”
 
The journalism program involves writing, writing and more writing.  Being a cherub is also about learning how to interact with people, getting comfortable in your own skin, accepting constructive criticism and forming friendships that will last a life time, cherubs said.
 
Jazz White of New Orleans said she came to the cherub program with little experience in journalism, not knowing what to expect.  

“I felt out of place and that I wasn't good enough to be here,” White said. “Everyone did print and I was just testing the waters. After the five weeks, I don't think I am the best writer, but I think I am a better writer than when I first came. I know in this world, there will always be people better than me. All I can do is work hard and that is what I have done.”

Journalism cherubs come from all different journalism backgrounds whether it is print, radio or none at all. Because each person is unique, they create an interesting, diverse program, cherubs said.

Kelly Regan, a cherub from Overland Park, Kan., has spent every summer traveling with her family. This year, she decided to take a risk and travel by herself. Regan aspires to be a student at Medill and has a passion for writing, she said.
 
Before coming to Evanston, Regan was comfortable being the shy girl who enjoyed writing, she said. Five weeks later, that has all changed.

“I have opened up a lot,” Regan said. “I'm usually really quiet, and with strangers, it's really hard for me to talk to them. I had to get over this really quickly. I am more outgoing now. Besides journalism, I learned a lot about forming relationships and being a good roommate.”
 
Lindsay Abrams, a cherub from Chicago, said she thought her summer wouldn't be that different from years past. She was attending a program close to home and didn't think she would get the experience that most people were going to have.
 
Abrams was wrong. She said that although she was only a few miles from home, she has learned so much, left her bubble “and explored so many more things.”

“Becoming a cherub isn't just becoming a better writer,” Abrams said. “It's becoming a better person.”