2023 Summer Interns Ahsaan Spence, Isaiah Bradford, Tray Brown and Andreas Walker are returning to Neuhoff Decatur as part-time employees from December 2023 until May 31st, 2024, thanks to an Illinois State grant provided to J. Morris Enterprises through Sen. Doris Turner (D-IL 48). This new pilot program allows each student to work up to 20 hours per week for $15 an hour. Each student will build on their prior internship experiences in media, as they will better connect with their community through content creation and storytelling.
In the summer of 2023, Neuhoff Media’s NowDecatur.com and WSOY 1340AM/103.3FM partnered with the Jerry J. Dawson Civic Leadership Institute to provide summer internships to high school students in Decatur, IL. The program’s success encouraged WSOY and NowDecatur.com to partner with J. Morris Enterprises to evolve the program into a winter and spring part-time employment program. This is a great stride to provide Decatur area youth with job training and employment through a new pilot program.
Lindsay Romano, Content Director for NowDecatur.com, said the summer experience was beneficial to both the students and the company. “Working with the students over the summer was such a blessing for me,” Romano said. “They each brought their talents to the table and allowed NowDecatur.com to tell stories through their eyes. I am so excited we will be able to welcome them back to the team this winter and next spring.”
Dr. Juanita Morris, co-founder of J. Morris Enterprises and facilitator of the Jerry J. Dawson Civic Leadership Institute, said J. Morris Enterprises started the pilot program after recognizing that more employers in the community were interested in giving local youth jobs. “That’s what this is really about. We want to impact young adults, a group that is largely unemployed and underrepresented in our community. We want to change the course of these kids’ lives by leveraging the resources in the community,” Morris said. “These students are getting experiences that many high school students never have access to.”
Ahsaan Spence, a senior at Eisenhower High School, is a talented photographer and storyteller who recently received various college scholarship offers totaling nearly $500,000. In addition to photography, Ahsaan is a member of the National Honor Society, the FFA, the Andreas Ag Academy and MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences).
Isaiah Bradford, a senior at Eisenhower High School, is a talented freelance photographer who has received state and national attention for his photography work. Isaiah is also a member of the FFA, the Andreas Ag Academy and MANRRS.
Traymar Brown, also known as Tray, is the quiet one of the group, which makes him the ideal listener and talented interviewer. Tray, who is a 2022 graduate of MacArthur High School and currently attends Richland Community College, has been involved with Neuhoff Media through DCLI internships in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Tray is also involved in numerous charities as a volunteer and hopes to use his communication skills to pursue a law degree and become a defense attorney.
Andreas Walker, known as DJ Dree, is the youngest of the group. Dree is a sophomore at Maroa Forsyth High School and has a passion for sports and music. When he isn’t playing soccer or running track, he is often hired to DJ local parties and events. With his passion for music and production, Dree will spend most of his time working with producer and reporter Dominique Smith to learn more about producing and commercial production for WSOY and other Neuhoff Decatur stations.
The former summer interns shared their experience and what they learned in August of 2023. Click here to learn more about their experiences as summer interns.
About Neuhoff Media:
Neuhoff Media is a leading media company committed to serving the communities it operates in. With a focus on local news, entertainment, and information, Neuhoff Media continues to play a vital role in connecting communities and providing a platform for authentic voices.
About J. Morris Enterprises:
J. Morris Enterprises is a services solutions provider with specialities in business consulting and personal growth & development services. Since 2017, J Morrs Enterprises continues to work to develop programming and offer services that they believe in truly brings them joy.
About the Jerry Dawson Civic Leadership Institute:
The Jerry Dawson Civic Leadership Institute is dedicated to fostering leadership skills and civic engagement among young individuals. Through various programs and initiatives, the Institute aims to empower the next generation of leaders and equip them with the necessary tools to make a positive impact in their communities.
About NowDecatur.com:
NowDecatur.com is a prominent local media outlet based in Decatur, Illinois. With a commitment to delivering accurate and engaging news coverage, NowDecatur.com serves as a trusted source.
For more information about the program, contact Content Director Lindsay Romano at lindsayromano@neuhoffmedia.com.
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