Guest Blog: Student Journalists Meet Jane Pauley

This excerpt is from Dr. Jared Cotton’s Chesapeake Schools Blog.

This week, I’m happy to hand over my blog to several extremely talented student journalists. On January 29, 2020, as part of the inaugural season of The Chesapeake Forum, student media representatives from each of our high schools had the unique opportunity to interview award-winning journalist and host of CBS Sunday Morning, Jane Pauley. The experience allowed these students to hone the interviewing, photography and writing skills they are learning every day in their classes. I was also thrilled to be able to join over 50 additional high school students and teachers who were invited to the event as part of a grant provided by Chesapeake Regional Health Center. Thank you for providing these amazing opportunities for our students. Here’s a look at their experience:

An icon in the world of broadcast journalism and a strong advocate for mental health, Jane Pauley has built a legacy spanning over four decades.  The Chesapeake Forum held its premier event on January 29, where Pauley was invited to speak about her life and career. Pauley’s speech was preceded by a wonderful performance by the Deep Creek High School Orchestra, the presentation of an esteemed badge by three Girl Scout Cadets, and a quick introduction by local famed journalist Barbara Ciara of WTKR News Channel 3.  

Throughout the speech, Mrs. Pauley referred often to her book Your Life Calling: Reimagining the Rest of Your Life, detailing stories of those she has met or heard of who did not find their passion or “life calling” until later in life.  The thing that stuck out to me most from this was how she acknowledged and welcomed the unpredictability of life, as seen through the many people she discussed. Pauley also made it a point to acknowledge the role of mental health in her life, specifically her struggle with bipolar disorder.  Being someone who struggles daily with anxiety, Pauley’s awareness of her bipolar disorder and ability to cope demonstrated to me that it is possible to follow your path and your passions, passing obstacles and roadblocks along the way.

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WTKR TV Spots

Watch the 15 seconds spots for Jane Pauley and Mae Jemison for WTKR Channel 3.