GROTON — Olivia Wirta, 17, a senior at Groton-Dunstable Regional High School, joins the staff of the Nashoba Valley Voice this week as our intern. She will be writing occasional stories for the Voice and the Lowell Sun and learning the journalism craft through May.
Q: You’re going to be spending a lot of time with us! Can you tell me a little bit about the internship program at Groton-Dunstable? Does everyone do it?
The internship program is run by Keith Woods, who is a history teacher at the high school, and about 40 percent of the senior class participates in this program. This year, there are 27 students who are involved and the internships range from working at ESPN to working on a farm in Hawaii.
Q: Do you take any classes during this?
Students can take classes if they want to or need to fulfill requirements before graduation, but I am not.
Q: Where do you plan to go to college?
I am not sure yet where I will be attending college, but my top choices are Bryant, Loyola in Maryland, Marist and Ithaca College.
Q: Why are you interested in journalism?
I am interested in journalism because I have always loved writing and I’ve known for a few years that I want to do something in the field of communications.
Q: Does the prospect of just calling people for an interview and talking to them make you at all nervous?
The thought of interviewing people makes me a little nervous, but I think after doing it a few times I will enjoy it.
Q: What would be your dream job after college?
After college, my dream job would be writing for a newspaper or a magazine. I am not too sure exactly which I would prefer yet.
Q: Have you written for publication before?
No, I have never written anything for publication.
Q: How do you get your news?
Usually, I get my news from watching TV or reading articles online. Social media is also another way I can see the latest news.
Q: Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have a Goldendoodle named Brady who is almost a year old.
Q: What was the last good book you read?
“The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls is a really good book.
