Finding community through NCSMA

By Emma Davis

Emma Davis after the 75th anniversary brunch in June 2016.

As a 16-year-old emerging journalist, I attended my first North Carolina Scholastic Media Institute (NCSMI) in the summer of 2016. It happened to be NCSMA’s 75th anniversary, something I did not completely grasp at the time.

Emma Davis and Baylee Clapp with longstanding NCSMI yearbook whisperer Bruce Watterson.

All I knew was that I was on UNC’s campus for a few days with my friends to become better journalists. I attended the yearbook division with my staff and went to YOPO and Smoothie King probably every day. I thought, “This is fun. Journalism is something I can see myself doing.”

At the brunch on my last day of the Institute, I made sure to write down the dates so I could attend the next summer. Summer 2017 rolls around and I’m co-editor-in-chief of the West Forsyth yearbook staff. Again, I attended the Institute and sat through yearbook, this time playing around on InDesign because my adviser had just informed me that I would be designing the book. Again, thinking to myself, “I really like designing. I’m definitely on the right path.”

Fast forward to my spring semester senior year. I’m utterly exhausted from school, yearbook, other clubs and a job. I get into UNC-Chapel Hill and decide that’s where I should go, but I’m not sure about journalism anymore. “Do I want to commit to that from the beginning? Or should I see what else interests me?”

My truly outstanding yearbook adviser sent my name to Monica Hill, director of NCSMA, the summer before my freshman year at UNC-Chapel Hill. I didn’t really know what that meant, but I set up a meeting with Monica on the first day of class.

Pete Villasmil, Hanna Wondmagegn, Monica Hill and Emma Davis after completing the first online NCSMI (2020).

I walk into Carroll 284 on FDOC (first day of class) in my yearbook T-shirt from senior year and some running shorts. I was not aware that it was basically a job interview, but I must have charmed Monica somehow because I started volunteering in the office that first semester.

Volunteering turned into working and before I knew it, I had committed to staying in Chapel Hill over the summer to work the Institute. I still had no clue what I was doing, but my coworker José Valle graciously and patiently showed me the ropes.

Monica Hill, Hanna Wondmagegn, Emma Davis, Pete Villasmil and Meredith Ammons pose at the end-of-semester office brunch (spring 2021).

I learned everything about the office and how it runs that first summer, and that propelled me into committing to the office every summer since. There have been ups and downs, especially when transitioning to a completely online environment in spring 2020, but I can honestly say this job has prepared me for anything. Through NCSMA I can plan in-person and online events for 200+ people, develop social media graphics, update our website, produce physical and online newsletters, communicate professionally and so much more.

Monica Hill, Abigail Welch, Cassidy Loeffler, Emma Davis, Pete Villasmil, Meredith Ammons and Nia Satterfield Brown at Top of the Hill for the end-of-semester office brunch (fall 2021).

And the people are a whole other story. I have worked under and with some of the kindest, most talented, thoughtful students and adults at UNC. I’m always excited for the end-of-semester office brunches, especially in the midst of the pandemic, where the outdoor brunch may be the only time I get to see my lovely coworkers in person.

I have never officially joined UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media, but I have had a presence in Carroll Hall the past 3.5 years. Despite not being a traditional journalism student, I’m lucky to have found a community and an office of amazing people who further my passion for journalism and education.