Students Reflect on White House Correspondents' Dinner Experience

SMPA sends 16 students to annual dinner celebrating the First Amendment

May 7, 2017

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The 2017 White House Correspondent’s Dinner was lacking one thing, the White House, but 16 students in the School of Media and Public Affairs were selected to attend the First Amendment celebration with CNN, Yahoo! News and as a WHCA scholarship recipient. The students were joined by SMPA Director Frank Sesno and had access to renowned journalists and top news executives.

We caught up with a few of the student attendees to ask them about their experience at the dinner and events with their hosts.

 

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Elissa Nunez

Elissa Núñez

Class of 2017, Journalism and Mass Communication
Guest of CNN

What was it like to find out you were going to the Correspondents' Dinner?

Ever since freshman year, I had the goal of attending the White House Correspondents' Dinner. As someone who loves pop culture and politics, seeing my favorite celebrities and politicians in one room seemed like the ultimate event. So when I got the call that I was going to the WHCA dinner I was in complete disbelief. After I hung up the phone, I turned to the intern who sits next to me at work and said, "I'm going to meet Beyoncé!"

Favorite moment?

My favorite moment from the dinner by far was when Hasan Minhaj gave his speech — or should I say roast — of the media and Trump. It was hilarious, and with the political climate we're in, sometimes you need a good laugh to cut the tension. I also had the chance to tour the CNN Washington bureau where CNN anchors like Wolf Blitzer, John King and Brian Stelter talked about their start as young journalists. Hearing their experiences made me realize how much tenacity and dedication it takes to be in this industry.

Did you pick up any good journalism advice?

Nothing is handed to anyone in journalism, a lot of success comes down to tenacity and determination. Most news anchors we know and love today were thrown in front of the camera on their first day covering the White House without any formal training or were told they would never make it in journalism. They let their passion for the news guide them and are where they are today because of their commitment to accountability and the truth.

Your experience in five words?

When can I go back?

 

Frank Sesno, Casey Decker, Alec Snyder and Wolf Blitzer
From left to right, SMPA Director Frank Sesno, Casey Decker, Alec Snyder and CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer pose at the Correspondents' Dinner

Alec Snyder

Class of 2018, Journalism and Mass Communication
Guest of Yahoo! News

Favorite Moment?

I was speaking to Dana Bash, whom I had met at the SMPA Awards Night ceremony. While we were talking, Carl Bernstein walked by. She asked me "do you want to meet Carl Bernstein?" and I turned around, tapped Bernstein on the shoulder as he walked by, and we began talking. I shook his hand and asked him about cultivating sources and the future of journalism. I'll never forget meeting him.

Did you pick up any good journalism advice?

I spoke to Bernstein about sources and he just said to cover all my bases and leave no stone unturned. He told me "you never know what you'll find.” I also spoke to Michael Isikoff with Yahoo! News at their pre-dinner reception and he told me to never stop looking. As simple as that is, I think it's profound advice. It's what leads to leads, after all.

What was your biggest surprise of the night?

How kind and down to earth everyone was. I'm not a cynical person, but I didn’t expect all the journalists to be so humble and genuinely interested in what students are doing. It was really refreshing to see that. Whether it was Wolf Blitzer, Dana Bash, Carl Bernstein, Michael Isikoff, or Jim Acosta, they could not have been more gracious.

Your experience in five words

Words don't do it justice.

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Diana Nunez

Diana Núñez

Class of 2019, Journalism and Mass Communication
Guest of Yahoo! News

Favorite moment?

The entertainment portion with comedian Hasan Minhaj. He helped us laugh a little at a time when our integrity and credibility as journalists is constantly under scrutiny. I’m also glad he reminded us we need to make every possible effort to defend our right to publish the truth.

Most rewarding part of the experience?

The most rewarding part was definitely listening to Woodward and Bernstein’s advice for the future generation of journalism.

What is something you learned from a dinner attendee?

I sat next to a Yahoo! News managing editor and he told me not to be afraid to go and talk to even the most distinguished journalists. That’s why this dinner is such a special experience. I was literally able to go up to anyone, introduce myself as a student journalist and they were more than willing to speak to me.

Your experience in five words?

The ultimate celebration of journalism!

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Eric Marter, Andrew Desiderio, Avery Anapol and Elissa Nunez
From left to right, Eric Marter, Andrew Desiderio, Avery Anapol and Elissa Núñez

Eric Marter

Class of 2017, Political Communication
Guest of CNN

Did you meet any celebrities?

CNN invited us to their Washington Bureau for a tour and chance to meet many of their hardworking producers and on-air personalities. We got to talk with Wolf Blitzer, Jake Tapper, John King, SMPA alumna Dana Bash, CNN Washington bureau chief Sam Feist and CNN president Jeff Zucker. They couldn't have been more kind to us.

What is something you learned from a dinner attendee?

A common denominator among all the advice we received is the importance of staying curious. Journalists must maintain an unwavering curiosity for the world around them, and more importantly, for the truth.

What was the biggest surprise of the night?

At first, I thought students would be a bit out of place at such a fancy, high-profile event. That couldn't be further from the truth. Everyone was so kind and willing to talk to us and offer their advice and encouragement. I left the evening with a renewed appreciation for the First Amendment an optimistic outlook for the future (and present) state of journalism in America.

Your experience in five words?

Inspiring, grateful, curious, First Amendment.

 

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