Putnam County High School student Abigail Smith has been selected to represent Eatonton as a national youth correspondent at the 2025 Washington Journalism and Media Conference, July 14-19 at George Mason University (GMU) in Washington, D.C.
Abigail will join a select group of students from all across the country for an intensive study of journalism and media.
She was selected based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies.
National youth correspondents participate in hands-on, experiential learning through decision-making simulations that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical, and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media.
The experiential portion of the program is complemented by speakers who are well-known leaders in the media community.
Presenters include prominent journalists, CEOs of major media outlets, researchers, and recent college graduates successfully entering the field. Past speakers have included Hoda Kotb from NBC, Brian Lamb from C-SPAN, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Carol Guzy, and Susan Goldberg from National Geographic.
With distinguished faculty, guest speakers, and direct access to elite D.C. practitioners, the Washington Journalism and Media Conference offers aspiring journalists and student leaders an unparalleled experience.
The weeklong program, held at GMU’s state-of-the-art campus, is designed to encourage and inspire young leaders from across the country who desire a unique experience focused on building successful journalism or media careers.
For more information, visit the Washington Journalism and Media Conference at wjmc.gmu.edu.