Will B. Passing on Knowledge

We have been diligently working on getting the office in order, including refitting the office in front of mine. This will be the future home to interns, if all goes as planned. We have set up two desks with computers recently refreshed, at our friend over in Graham - Brian, owner-operator of BWM Computer. He does great work for great prices; I have been using him since moving to Olney about six years ago.

Our Editor Gina has been getting our intern program off the ground with hopes of the opportunity of rewarding interns with some college credit. We have had interns in the past but are hoping to step up our game with training and knowledge for future interns.

I am very excited with the idea of passing on my knowledge to those who may be eager to learn in more detail about photography and how to write stories for others to enjoy or stay informed. I have no official training in either category as far as school goes but have close to 30 years as a professional photographer and 4- or 5-years’ experience writing for a newspaper. I continue my education in the writing department with our new editor who also has vast experience in real life reporting, which is more valuable than things learned in school, in my opinion. I am far from perfect and rough around the edges when it comes to writing but I feel I have something of value to pass on in the writing department as well. I like to write from the heart and I like to write about positive things in the community.

One of my favorite memories while at the paper, there are many, was when the old editor and I got to go to Olney Elementary and talk to the kids about what we do. I was nervous and at first did not want to go but I am so glad I did and those children asked some great questions. I loved seeing the excitement in their eyes for the profession I love. They say print has been dying a slow death for a long time now but I disagree, it is just the format from which people will read that is changing. For me I will always enjoy holding a book, magazine or newspaper in my hands to read, I read digitally as well. There are many benefits to digital media, top among them is convenience and a wealth of materials at my fingertips. I feel we have to light a torch in the next generation for wanting to go into and carry- on news reporting. This is Will B saying, see yah in the funny papers!