- You are here:
- Home »
- Blog
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.
WTKR TV Spots
Watch the 15 seconds spots for Jane Pauley and Mae Jemison for WTKR Channel 3.
Jane Pauley, Mae Jemison and more to visit Chesapeake in 2020 speaker series
This excerpt is from the Virginian Pilot.
A new organization has been formed in Chesapeake to offer its residents various points of view, awareness, learned discourse, diversity and even entertainment.
The nonprofit Chesapeake Forum is now up and running and will present three nationally and internationally known speakers for its inaugural series.
On Jan. 29, the series kicks off with Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Jane Pauley, host of “CBS Sunday Morning.”
Subsequent dates will present entrepreneur and astronaut Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, on March 3, followed by Irish tenor, recording artist, and inspirational speaker Ronan Tynan, also a record holding Paralympic athlete, on May 14.
The Shopper: The Chesapeake Forum Story
This excerpt is from the December 2019 issue of The Shopper.
One year ago, a small group of twelve Chesapeake citizens from across the city gathered to consider one question. In a world of diverse opinions, at a time when public discussions are often bitterly divisive, what does it take to bring a community together?
Dr. Becky Adams, a career educator and Chesapeake’s 2016 First Citizen, was at that meeting. “We wanted to create a space where people could experience community together—despite their political differences,” she recalls. “We wanted to explore ways in which we could expand the cultural offerings in our city.”
This dedicated group decided to form a non-profit organization—The Chesapeake Forum—which would bring high-quality speakers to Chesapeake to speak on a wide range of topics. Those speakers would include scientists, artists, historians, judges, financiers, humorists, philosophers, journalists, and leaders from all fields. At the same time, when selecting speakers, the Forum would neither engage in promoting politicians, positions, candidates, or parties.
This last point is crucial for Becky, who currently serves as the Forum’s president. “We want the Chesapeake Forum to be completely non-partisan,” she insists. “We are offering the citizens of Chesapeake opportunities to hear people from all walks of life speak.”