THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 18, 1996 TAG: 9607180321
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KIA MORGAN ALLEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 80 lines
Claudine Latouche is no introverted intern.
She writes, edits and records the Project A+ Summer Calendar that airs on WTKR-TV Channel 3 on Saturdays. She's proud of the 30-second voice-overs that recognize students who excel, even though it's no anchor job.
A rising senior at Norfolk State University, Latouche doesn't mind going the extra mile, either. When Hurricane Bertha swirled up the coast last week, she stayed late after her regular shift as a WTKR summer intern to help cover it - without pay.
The way she figures it, she's gotten her foot in the door of broadcasting. And that door has cracked opened to a once-in-a-lifetime assignment: the Olympics.
On Wednesday, Latouche joined 25 other NSU students at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. The students will work in a variety of broadcast positions, from audio assistants to video camera operators.
``This is the best thing that ever happened to me because it's an opportunity to work nationally with some of the top broadcasters in the world,'' she said.
This NSU crew won't heave the shot-put, sprint a 200-meter race or swim for the gold. Instead, this team will run behind-the-scenes assignments for 10 to 15 days to help the news media cover the games. But with a salary range of $2,500 to $4,500 and the chance to rub elbows with professional broadcasters, the experience will be golden enough.
Latouche and the other NSU students were chosen after completing the Host Broadcast Training Program, offered last summer and fall by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta.
Norfolk State is the only Virginia university to participate. Students needed a 2.5 grade point average and had to complete required broadcasting or journalism courses. After passing the first phase, those selected competed against 1,150 students nationwide from 40 other colleges in the Southeast for one of 650 spots on the Olympics broadcast team.
Through classes at Clark Atlanta University, students received special training and earned credit toward their bachelor's degree programs at NSU. With the Olympic experience, they will earn and learn much more than they would if they were flipping burgers at an ordinary summer job.
``I'm grateful to NSU for allowing students to get this experience,'' Latouche said. ``Being part of one of the best black universities is a plus.''
With history in the making, there will be little time for play in Atlanta. Although Latouche said she will hear the cheering crowds, the students won't have time to watch the Olympic stars in action.
Latouche will serve as a liaison officer to the Atlanta Broadcasting Committee and the Atlanta Committee of Broadcasting Games. As such, she will help where needed. But that's about all she can say: The students are constantly reminded by Olympic officials not to disclose too much about their duties.
She will work in Atlanta from July 19 through Aug. 4. Uniformed in khaki ``skorts,'' tan Reebok sneakers and a green, net cowboy hat, Latouche will face busy 12- to 14-hour days.
Latouche, a New York native, makes her presence known. Her 3.9 grade point average is the highest in NSU's Department of Journalism. Still, Latouche competed as vigorously as the other students nationwide.
``I was one of the first students with high averages chosen'' from NSU, she said.
Thelma B. Thompson, dean of the NSU School of Arts and Letters, arranged for students to participate back in 1992. Shirley Carter, head of the Department of Mass Communications and Journalism, organized NSU's Olympics effort.
``I am so proud of the students,'' Carter said. ``Norfolk State had one of the highest placement rates. I think that has to be contributed to the kind of caring environment at Norfolk State.''
When Latouche returns in August, she plans to continue to work in Norfolk, coordinating a newsletter for The New York Times, which owns WTKR. Then it's back to school. She plans to graduate from NSU in May 1997. Then she will attend graduate school, either in broadcast or film.
The thought of being in Atlanta for the Olympics still overwhelms her.
``Even though I'm not a medalist, I feel like I'm carrying a torch.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
RICHARD L. DUNSTON/The Virginian-Pilot
After helping the TV station cover Hurricane Bertha, Claudine
Latouche will work at the Olympics for 10 to 15 days to help with
media coverage. She'll gain valuable experience in broadcasting. by CNB