Hip Hop Congress orients soon-to-be Mass Comm students

By Kolten Parker
@KoltenParker

Students from a communications high school in Laredo toured student media operations and visited with Mass Comm student groups on Texas State’s campus Tuesday during it’s annual Mass Communications Week.

The nearly 30 students from Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts got a behind-the-scenes look into the buildings of the school’s newspaper, The University Star, and it’s radio station, KTSW – both award-winning student media outlets. After their tour, the students attended Gustavo Arrellano’s discussion on preparing for a career in journalism, a featured event at Mass Comm Week.

Following the session, the Laredo students visited and had lunch with members of Texas State’s Hip Hop Congress, a student group that facilitates companionship through art and music and works as an outreach and mentoring program for disenfranchised pre-college students.

During discussion in Old Main, the members of HHC and staff advisor Jesse Silva spoke with the students – many who will be first-generation college students – about different events and opportunities offered through Texas State and Hip Hop Congress.

Jade Lewis, mass communication sophomore and member of HHC performed after offering his reasons for joining the organization.

“(Hip Hop Congress) was an outside family that reached out to me,” Lewis said. “It’s great to be surrounded by a group of people who have different perspectives on Hip Hop and art.”

Tamara Johnson, electronic media and mass communication junior and president of HHC, offered some advice on essentials for college life.

“College isn’t as intimidating and scary as might be portrayed and everyone can go,” she said. “There’s a student organization for everyone.”

Mark Webber, journalism instructor at Vidal M. Trevino, said this session marked his ninth year to bring students to Mass Comm Week at Texas State.

“It’s a chance to really learn about journalism from a different viewpoint,” Webber said.

Jose Flores, senior at Vidal M. Trevino, said he is interested in attending Texas State’s School of Mass Communication and joining HHC.

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