They number 19, from 19 colleges and universities around the country, and they are headed this summer to 13 newspapers and two news bureaus in 14 states stretching from Connecticut to California. Most members of the 2009 Summer class of Chips Quinn Scholars like to spend time with their family and friends; many enjoy reading, some like to cook; and one likes to talk…er, yell back at televised political shows. All are passionate about journalism. Read on to learn more about the Summer 2009 Scholars.

Everton Bailey Jr.
Hometown: Bridgeport, Conn.
College: St. John’s University
Host Newspaper: Reporter, The Associated Press (Hartford, Conn.)
What I know about my newspaper:
The Associated Press’ Hartford bureau is one of hundreds of AP bureaus nationwide. The staff covers news from the Connecticut Capitol, and AP stories run in several Connecticut papers.
How I got interested in journalism:
I joined my high school newspaper during my sophomore year and was assigned a feature about the school’s new ROTC group. I enjoyed finding and being able to offer little-known stories to a wider audience.
What I do for fun:
Eat, surf the Web, watch movies. I’m a huge wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) fan.
Favorite Web site(s):
CNN.com, nytimes.com, Gerweck.net, ESPN.com, MMAjunkie.com

Emma Carew
Hometown: Eden Prairie, Minn.
College: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Host Newspaper: Finance Reporter, The Washington Post
What I know about my newspaper:
The Washington Post, based in Washington, D.C., is a top nationwide source for news, with a heavy emphasis on political journalism. It’s one of the largest circulating dailies in the country.
How I got interested in journalism:
I attended a two-week summer camp called the Urban Journalism Workshop in high school and was amazed at how much fun reporting and storytelling could be. My mentors seemed to love their jobs and were passionate about their work, and it was something I wanted to be a part of.
What I do for fun:
I love art and museums, learning to bake and cook, and trying new foods.
Favorite Web site(s):
postsecret.com, sephora.com, nytimes.com, washingtonpost.com, aaja.org

Carolyn Chin
Hometown: Warren, Mich.
College: Wayne State University
Host Newspaper: Reporter, The Denver Post
What I know about my newspaper:
The Denver Post is owned by Media News Group and published by the Denver Newspaper Agency. (Media News Group also owns The Detroit News.) The Post had a joint operating agreement with the Rocky Mountain News and is dealing with the ripple effect of that paper’s closing earlier this year.
How I got interested in journalism:
I started working at the student newspaper as a college freshman. That tiny taste pulled me in, hook, line and sinker, to the world of journalism.
What I do for fun:
Playing volleyball, trying different types of food, listening to live music, painting, shopping.
Favorite Web site(s):
Newseum.org (front pages), detnews.com, freep.com, flickr.com, Facebook

Thaisi Da Silva
Hometown: Hampton, Va.
College: Hampton University
Host Newspaper: TimesDaily (Florence, Ala.)
What I know about my newspaper:
The TimesDaily is the daily newspaper for Florence, Ala. Its coverage area also includes portions of southern Tennessee and northeast Mississippi. In March 2009, the Tennessee Valley Printing Co. purchased the TimesDaily from the New York Times Regional Media Group, a subsidiary of the New York Times Company The TimesDaily also publishes three regional magazines: ShoalsWoman, Shoals Magazine, and Explore the Shoals.
How I got interested in journalism:
I realized that if I became a journalist, I would be able to incorporate my love of writing into an exciting profession.
What I do for fun:
Travel, cook, read, write, make photographs, spend time with friends and family.
Favorite Web site(s):Nytimes.com, washingtonpost.com, mediastorm.org, craigslist.org, Facebook

Charles Davis
Hometown: Springfield, Ill.
College: Western Illinois University
Host Newspaper: Reporter, Green Bay (Wis.) Press-Gazette
What I know about my newspaper:
They love the Packers.
How I got interested in journalism:Mike Nadel’s sports column.
What I do for fun:
Tease my nephews.
Favorite Web site(s):
YouTube

Adolfo Flores
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
College: California State University-Northridge
Host Newspaper: Reporter, The Dispatch (Lexington, N.C.)
What I know about my newspaper:
It’s based in Lexington, N.C., and is the main news source for the town of about 20,000 people.
How I got interested in journalism:
During my senior year in high school, I wrote for the school paper and haven’t stopped.
What I do for fun:
Hang out with friends, go to the theater, read.
Favorite Web site(s):
elnuevosol.net, dailysundial.com, nytimes.com, laobserved.com

Jasmine Gray
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
College: Middle Tennessee State University
Host Newspaper: Reporter, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.)
What I know about my newspaper:
I visited The Courier-Journal during spring break. It is respected in Louisville and the surrounding counties and states. The experienced journalists at the paper are supportive of interns. My editors plan to give interns the advice we need to be successful.
How I got interested in journalism:
I became interested in journalism after being asked to write for and edit Christian newsletters and a Girl Scout newsletter. I thought becoming a journalist would be a good way to combine my skills with my desire to serve my community.
What I do for fun:
I love to read — go to the bookstore, get something sweet and read magazines and books for hours. I also love to hang out with my family and close friends, eating soul food, talking loud and enjoying each other’s company.
Favorite Web site(s):
yahoo.com, theYBF.com, Facebook, bible.ca

April Gregory
Hometown: Hardin, Mont.
College: University of Montana
Host Newspaper: Photographer, St. Cloud (Minn.) Times
What I know about my newspaper:
I know several people who worked as interns at the St. Cloud Times and have really grown as journalists. I’ve heard that the staff is helpful and caring. Gannett owns the paper.
How I got interested in journalism:
Through my love of photography and graphic design. I also am interested in environmental issues and thought that journalism would be an effective way to address issues and promote change.
What I do for fun:
Hike, fly-fish, camp, cook, photography.
Favorite Web site(s):
nytimes.com, montanamagazine.com, newwest.net, www.hcn.org, Facebook

Jamie Hughes
Hometown: Enid, Okla.
College: University of Oklahoma
Host Newspaper: Reporter, St. Cloud (Minn.) Times
What I know about my newspaper:
I have a few friends who have interned at the St. Cloud Times and say it’s amazing. They have said the staff is friendly and helpful.
How I got interested in journalism:
I took an introductory journalism class my sophomore year in high school. I did well on my in-depth project and had fun and realized I might want to do it as a career. It’s been a whirlwind of internships and school papers since then.
What I do for fun:
I enjoy reading, going to concerts, plays, anything I can do with friends.
Favorite Web site(s):
washingtonpost.com, nytimes.com, iGoogle.com, OUDaily.com

Linsen Li
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
College: University of Kentucky
Host Newspaper: Reporter, The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.)
What I know about my newspaper:
I was an editorial-writing intern at The Courier-Journal last summer and got to know the paper pretty well. Two important details: It has a wonderful staff and a well-equipped workout room.
How I got interested in journalism:
It was because of my fascination with Ernest Hemingway. I wanted to follow his steps and become a reporter and mold my writing into a succinct journalistic style. I found out that journalism itself is a lot of fun.
What I do for fun:
Play pickup basketball, watch sports, read a leisurely book.
Favorite Web site(s):
Facebook, BBC News, NYTimes, ESPN.com

Aaron Montoya
Hometown: Grand Junction, Colo.
College: Colorado State University
Host Newspaper: Photojournalist, The Denver Post
What I know about my newspaper:The Denver Post is the largest daily metropolitan newspaper serving Denver and most of Colorado (daily circulation is 391,000). The Post and the Rocky Mountain News published under a joint operating agreement formed in 2001 until Scripps Howard closed the Rocky this year.
How I got interested in journalism:
I hated newspapers at the beginning of my college career — wouldn’t even read my school paper. My roommate mentioned one day that The Rocky Mountain Collegian was looking for photographers. Now I’m the editor of the paper.
What I do for fun:
Relaxing to some jazz sounds and smoking my tobacco pipe, skateboarding, hiking, playing Frisbee, having fun with friends.
Favorite Web site(s):
nytimes.com, collegian.com, washingtonpost.com, denverpost.com, MattEichPhoto.com, ChipLitherland.com, ElevenWeddings.com

Andrea Morales
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
College: Ohio University
Host Newspaper: Photojournalist, Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle
What I know about my newspaper:
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle has veteran photojournalists that have stayed on the cutting edge of technology. Their picture-editing and content have been recognized in the Best of Photojournalism competitions several times.
How I got interested in journalism:
I’ve always found storytelling to be the most potent means of keeping us connected to each other. I learned of the photojournalism program at the University of Florida and was hooked on visual expression.
What I do for fun:
When not exploring with a camera, I can be found pretending to cook, lying in the sun or trying to play the harmonica.
Favorite Web site(s):
aphotoaday.org

Andres Navarro
Hometown: Nogales, Ariz.
College: University of Arizona
Host Newspaper: Reporter, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.)
What I know about my newspaper:
It is smaller than the Los Angeles Times but offers more in-depth coverage of the local community.
How I got interested in journalism:
Because I didn’t feel like doing anything else in school and because I saw the profession as incredibly romantic. You could travel all around the world, find the most incredible stories about people and do something worthwhile in the end. I know not all journalism is like that but I still like this idea.
What I do for fun:
I like to read, not just newspapers but books as well, especially fiction. I also like to travel.
Favorite Web sites:
I don’t spend much time on the Internet. I like going to mediastorm.org from time to time.

Christopher Ramirez
Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
College: Arizona State University
Host Newspaper: Metro Reporter, Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle
What I know about my newspaper:
It’s in Rochester, N.Y., where companies such as Kodak, Xerox, Western Union and Gannett, which owns the paper, were founded. Created through a merger of the Daily Democrat and the Chronicle in 1870, the paper has a daily circulation of about 150,000.
How I got interested in journalism:
A desire to work in sports in any capacity led me to journalism, where I aspired to be a sportswriter. That’s still my goal but my interests have expanded to include covering news and other forms of journalism and media.
What I do for fun:
Do things outside, read, cook, watch sports.
Favorite Web site(s):
azcentral.com, nytimes.com, latimes.com, popurls.com, joeposnanski.com, gangrey.com, boston.com/bigpicture, ESPN.com, deadspin.com

Derek Sijder
Hometown: San Pedro, Calif.
College: San Jose State University
Host Newspaper: Photojournalist, Silicon Valley Community Newspapers (San Jose, Calif.)
What I know about my newspaper:
The Silicon Valley Community Newspapers publishes 11 community newspapers in Santa Clara County, with a total circulation of 144,000. They include Los Gatos Weekly-Times, Saratoga News, Campbell Reporter, Cupertino Courier, Rose Garden Resident and Sunnyvale Sun. The papers provide “fiercely local” news. SVCN news and feature stories can be found in the San Jose Mercury News and on its Web site.
How I got interested in journalism:
I wanted to become a copy writer so I joined my community college newspaper as an advertising manager. The staff was so small that I was asked to write stories and take photographs. When I transferred to San Jose State University I changed my major to photojournalism.
What I do for fun:
Make pictures, of course. Other favorite things are eating at restaurants and traveling. I’m also a music lover and movie buff.
Favorite Web sites:
Mediastorm.org, Mercurynewsphoto.com, Nppa.org

Ryan Strong
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
College: Northern Illinois University
Host Newspaper: Metro Reporter, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times
What I know about my newspaper:
The paper is published by The Poynter Institute near Tampa, Fla. The newspaper recently won two Pulitzer Prizes, for feature writing and for national reporting.
How I got interested in journalism:
My interest started while I was writing for my college newspaper. Watching my favorite TV show, “Anderson Cooper 360,” also helped.
What I do for fun:
Reading as many novels as I can, studying Spanish, learning French.
Favorite Web site(s):Nytimes.com, Poynter.org, CNN.com, Facebook

Juana Summers
Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.
College: University of Missouri
Host Newspaper: Reporter, Austin (Texas) American-Statesman
What I know about my newspaper:
The Statesman has great state Capitol coverage and uses Twitter for more than just links. They’re the future of journalism!
How I got interested in journalism:
I don’t remember. Since age 10, I haven’t been able to imagine myself doing anything else.
What I do for fun:
Marathon viewings of “The West Wing” and yelling back at political television.
Favorite Web site(s):
fivethirtyeight.com, Talking Points Memo, Politico

Andrea Vasquez
Hometown: Walnut Creek, Calif.
College: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Host Newspaper: Reporter, The Vicksburg (Miss.) Post
What I know about my newspaper:
The daily newspaper serves Vicksburg, Miss., with its population of more than 26,000. In its 126 years, the Post has remained family owned and endured everything from floods and tornadoes to wars and economic depressions.
How I got interested in journalism:
Working at my high school newspaper began my trajectory, and an episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” pushed me to pursue journalism as a career. I was struck by the human connection between a foreign correspondent and woman interviewee at a refugee camp in Darfur.
What I do for fun:
I hang out with friends at and outside of work, and go out to eat or around town.
Favorite Web site(s):
E-mail, CNN.com, vicksburgpost.com, freetetris.org.

Christina Wright
Hometown: Houston, Texas
College: Howard University
Host Newspaper: Reporter, The Associated Press (Chicago)