This summer was far from the leisurely, lazy summers past. I spent this summer working full-time at Hester, Grady, and Hester Law Firm, picking and selling grapes, and finally, interning at the Bladen Journal.

After studying for four years and graduating from Mount Pisgah Academy in the mountains of North Carolina, I came home this summer still wondering what on earth to do with my life. I didn't even know what I was interested in doing or where I wanted to study. I decided to take a gap year and attend college next fall. It was a good choice for me because I could spend the year traveling and perfecting my Spanish, which is inherent from my Colombian mother.

At the first of June, my mother suggested that I help with the forestry business, answering phones and entering data into the computer. Well, that was all good and well, except that the last thing I wanted to do is work for my parents. I am a teenager, and as a teenager I know everything and need no one. So I went out and explored.

I happened upon the Bladen Journal one summer day and met W. Curt Vincent, a short and stocky man with graying hair. The only element he was lacking to complete this editor-writer look was a lit cigarette. I was looking for something new to learn about, not a paying job at the newspaper. After all, I had absolutely no experience except for an A- in my composition 101 class back in high school.

We discussed the idea of an internship, and I think Curt was taken aback by my energy and enthusiasm, in a good way, of course. I began coming in regularly a couple of days a week while working a little bit here and there for my parents. Curt soon created a column, the Bladen Journal Time Capsule, for me on the editorial page. My very own column in the BLADEN JOURNAL ... boy was I making it big. In addition to working on my column, I did little things to help the other staff out, like looking up information and delivering certificates to local businesses. Oh, and thanks, Dairy Queen, for the free shake.

In one learning experience, Curt took me to an interview for a school spotlight story. I learned how to conduct an interview and what kind of questions to ask. I specifically remember that the first question is "what is your name and how do you spell it" and then you repeat it back to them (because it's embarrassing if the newspaper gets it wrong).

Well, after a month of preoccupying myself at the Journal so as to escape the insistence of my parents, I got a job at Hester, Grady, and Hester Law Firm. Why they decided to hire an absentminded teenager like myself, I don't know, but I sure am glad they did. I worked there from nine to five, giving me an hour before work and my lunch hour to work at the Journal.

So I put in my early hours and got my column done before the deadline, but not without a few instances where Erin had to push me and I secretly ran to the library during work (sorry Lora!) to get internet so I could e-mail my column to Curt, who was putting the paper together.

Through my friends at the newspaper I have learned several things about journalism and newspaper writing. I learned how to talk to people and how to take notes and that every paragraph begins with a quote and that articles are measured by inches, not paragraphs or words. Through my experience with the two "big" articles I wrote (with a lot of help from Curt), I got a glimpse of newspaper-style writing and learned how not to write narratively. Most importantly, I learned about the snack stash. The Bladen Journal has a snack stash that I have been known to raid. One day on my lunch break I walked in and stuffed as many fun size chocolate bars as I could into my computer case to munch on at work. True story.

And now for a little thing I like to call ... singling out.

Jenny Hayes-Carroll: I learned that Jenny has kind of a rougher shell. With time I broke into that, kind of, and that is why I am able to make fun of her hair without being slapped. I learned that Jenny is a great photographer and likes to be helpful, to me, anyway. Before I left Jenny took the time to show me the microfilm "reader" — i don't know what its called – and I found it very amusing, and I hope I can use it when I return. Jenny is also able to answer all of the questions I have about before my time. She has also shared her lunch with me. Thanks Jenny, you know I love free food.

Erin SMith: Erin has helped me with my writing some and given me good direction. I remember the first thing she taught me about the fundamentals of an article: "Tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you told them." That's what she learned from journalism, and that was helpful. One thing about Erin is that she is always there whenever someone needs her. Also, Erin watched quietly, most of the time, when I took all those Oatmeal Creme Pies. Thanks Erin, you know how I love Oatmeal Creme Pies, and all other free food.

Charlotte SMith: If there ever was a person I respond best to, it's Charlotte. Charlotte is very good-natured and considerate and very quickly became someone that I looked forward to seeing anytime I came to the Journal. She is very personable and I compare the vibe I get from her to that of an older sister. I was very happy when she was eager to share my pineapple-olive pizza that no one else wanted. She gave me a huge project one of my first days there. After I completed it, Charlotte was almost overly gracious and offered to buy me lunch several times. Thanks Charlotte, you know I can't say no to free food.

W. Curt Vincent: Curt and I hit it off immediately when I realized he was the only other New York Yankees fan besides me in Bladen County, or the South, for that matter. Every morning I would come in and ask "did you see the game last night?" which was followed by, "did the Yanks win?" which was followed by "did the Red Sox lose?" Several times I ate breakfast in Curt's office before business hours while he worked on his editorial. Oh, and by breakfast I mean three oatmeal cream pies and one of those little packs of Lance's peanut butter crackers. Anyway, I have really enjoyed Curt's friendship and our employee-boss relationship. I'm thinking that I probably enjoy the latter more than the rest of the staff because I am under my own obligation and not his — HA!

Elizabethtown Library: Thank you for being so close to the law firm and for the internet. I spent some lunch breaks sitting outside your building in my car with my Mac.

Bladenboro Library: Thank you also for your WiFi. And for not reprimanding me when I did park in the drive thru.

Delane Jackson, Livingston Lewis, Christy Robbins and Ricky Walters: I interviewed all of you for my "big" articles in the paper, and I really appreciate your willingness to cooperate and your patience. Thanks so much for helping me out!

Mom and Dad: Thanks for the lending me the car for the summer and your incessant love and support. Thanks for saving all the Friday papers, Mom (It makes me feel special). I love you guys!

Curt and the Bladen Journal: As insincere and light-humored as this editorial is, I would like to thank you for this opportunity. This experience has been valuable to me, as I am exploring my options for a career. Journalism is interesting to me and now that I know more, I am considering it as an option. You all have really helped and I am very appreciative. I think that it is great that you guys enable this kind of opportunity for youth. It is so important for people in my position, not knowing in which direction to go, to be able to have a chance to gain more understanding and knowledge in different areas.

This summer was by far the most different and enlightening. After being gone to academy for four years, I came back mature enough  to be interested in my community. Before this summer, I thought that Bladenboro was just a quiet town full of old people, like my dad. Well, it's still a quiet town full of old people, but now I know those old people, and let me tell you, they can be a riot. I have spent the past few months becoming acquainted with the people at the First Baptist Church in Bladenboro, and I found myself engrossed in these people and their history. Mr. Cain, I don't remember his first name, Mrs. Billie Jo Cain's husband, can attest to my curiosity.

As soon as I return from Panama, he is going to explain the entire Bridger history to me. So I have spent a lot of time visiting people and making new friends, like my friend Jill at the Register of Deeds and my friend Tony from Evans Computer Solutions. After getting to know my community more this summer, It turns out I do like Bladen County. Thanks, citizens of Bladen, I have enjoyed it, and I hope you have enjoyed me, too.

— Rosita Age of Bladenboro was a summer intern for the Bladen Journal.