Journalists Thank Donors for Portland Trip

Here is one of four letters written by students to donors who helped fund an OTT trip to Portland, Ore., for a journalism convention in April.

Dear Donors,

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go to Portland for the journalism convention. That was my first time going on an airplane and it was a fun experience. I enjoyed meeting new people from different states. It gave me a chance to talk to other students about their newspapers and how their newspaper classes operate. It gave me a chance to see how different Oakland is from Portland. For example, we have to pay for BART in Oakland, but in Portland they get to ride it for free. Also, Portland has no sales tax! I also learned that Portland takes recycling seriously. It was a good experience to go out of California and explore something new. Overall, this was an experience I’ll never forget and I would love to do it all over again. Thanks so much once again.

Sincerely,
Fuey

Good news in December

Our second issue of the Oaktown came off the press this week with 30 stories/features from 8 schools -- Oakland High, Castlemont/CBITS, Fremont/Mandela, McClymonds/EXCEL, Skyline, Fremont/Media Academy, Oakland Technical and Unity High. To date, more than 75 students have contributed to the newspaper. Almost all low-income students of color.

As of 7:41 p.m. on December 15, the Oaktown Teen Times is $273 away from fulfilling its Donors Choose grant, with a match from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation!

Those who wish to donate to this all-city newspaper, can send a check, payable to Oaktown Teen Times, c/o Media Alliance, 1904 Franklin Street, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94612.

Check back with us soon on this blog as we hope to provide links to our updated newspaper website.

Donations Big and Small Will Be Matched!

Any donation made to the Oaktown Teen Times through DonorsChoose.org now through Dec. 6, 2009 will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Your donation through DonorsChoose is 100% tax-deductible. To donate this way, simply click on this link http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/search.html?keywords=urban+scholastic+newspaper&x=9&y=17

Donations may also be mailed directly to the Oaktown Teen Times, 574 48th Street #302, Oakland, CA 94609.

If you wish to receive a receipt for tax deduction purposes, please make checks payable to Media Alliance, our fiscal sponsor, and place "Oaktown Teen Times" in the memo.