Columbia Scholastic Press Association

Subway journey

Through the tunnels under New York City shoots a gleaming silver snake. The screeching noise of brakes on metal warns travelers that they have not managed to escape the city by walking down the concrete stairs that connect the street above to the station below. The subway system is a new world in itself.

New York newcomers can be overwhelmed by the intricacy of it all. No mole dug these tunnels. Another striking characteristic of the system is the abundance of noise. Hundreds of voices blend with the sound of the subway cars and echo off the blue and white tiles of the station walls.

In the city

Getting off the subway is an overwhelming experience. New York City has so much happening at once that it is hard to take it all in. Traveling through the city can be confusing, terrifying, surprising and exciting-all within seconds.

On New York streets

Near the 42nd Street station, people scurry past an inconspicuous food stand on Broadway. "FRIED CHICKEN, GREEK GYROS, KOSHER HOT DOGS," the sign reads, offering an eclectic selection from different cultures.

But the diversity doesn't seem to foster barriers. The stand owner wears a dark blue New York Yankees cap. He and millions of others who live here are unified as New Yorkers.

City evokes story ideas

Visiting a new city benefits student journalists, broadening their minds and inspiring them to think in new ways. An unfamiliar milieu brings a different perspective, and New York City offers a range of cultures to experience.

At the CSPA Summer Workshop, students could not only meet new friends and discuss journalistic concerns, but also experience live musical theatre and interview cast members.

Taking more than 300 to the theater involves careful planning

Taking more than 300 students from the Columbia campus to Broadway and back called for planning in stages, said Antonio Rodriguez, an eight-year CSPA staff member and the logistics manager for the trip.

On the excursion

About 300 newspaper and yearbook students congregated on Furnald Lawn near Columbia's Lerner Hall at 9:15 on the hot and humid morning of Wednesday, June 25.

They found their 15 pre-assigned groups as leaders called out their group numbers.

When the leaders had accounted for everyone, they worked in shifts to lead the masses to the subway. Students attempted to keep in touch with their mini-packs.