MARYLAND 4-H CONGRESS
June 26-30, 2016
University of Maryland
Youth Media Team
Application Instructions
What is the Youth Media Team?
The Youth Media Team (YMT) is open to any 4-Her who attends Congress and who is interested in
helping with multi-media coverage of the event. The YMT will document Maryland 4-H Congress on
social media, via written articles on blogs and in a daily digital newsletter, and through photography
and videography of Congress events and activities. The YMT will also create a slideshow that will be
shared during the Congress Closing Ceremony and a video to document the entire event. The YMT
will work with Adult Advisors who are communications and media professionals.
Youth Media Team members will be expected to use personal electronics (smartphones, tables,
laptops, digital cameras, etc) to shoot video and photographs for their YMT assignments. Equipment
will be provided for editing, writing, production, etc.
To apply for Maryland 4-H Congress Youth Media Team (YMT) you must
do the following:
Step 1: Check the “I want to apply for the Youth Media Team” when you
register for Maryland 4-H Congress via 4-H Online.
Step 2: Decide whether you want to apply for the Newswriting Team or the
Visual Media Team. You may apply to both, but if you are chosen for YMT
you will be assigned to only one team.
o The Newswriting Team will prepare written content for social media
posts, blog entries, press releases/news articles, and the daily digital
newsletter. The Newswriting Team will also work with Congress officials
to update & post new content to the Maryland 4-H Congress app
platform.
o The Visual Media Team will create, shoot, edit, and post short video
clips and features, commercials/PSAs, photos, and graphics to various
media platforms. The Visual Media Team will also work with the
Communications & Leadership track to create a slideshow to be
shown at the Closing Ceremony, and to create an event video that
will be posted to public media after conclusion of Congress.
University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or
mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, or gender identity and expression.
Step 3: Prepare an audition piece that you will upload for review. Your
audition piece may be one or both of the following:
o Newswriting Team – Prepare a written press release about Maryland
4-H Congress, based on the information available on the Maryland 4H website and in the Congress information packet (FAQs, schedule,
track listings, etc.) See the attached sample press release for format.
Follow the format but use your own contact information and
writing. Save your press release as a PDF file and upload it to the
Maryland
4-H Portal using the link on the Maryland 4-H Congress
website.
o Visual Media – Prepare a 30-second video commercial for Maryland
4-H Congress, using information available on the Maryland 4-H
website and in the Congress information packet (FAQs, schedule,
track listings, etc.) Upload the video to YouTube as an UNLISTED video
and submit the link with your online application form.
Step 4: Complete and submit the online Youth Media Team application
form at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MD4HC-YMT-App
o If you submitted a Newswriting audition piece (press release), list the
date it was submitted via the Maryland 4-H Portal
o If you submitted a Visual Media audition piece (video), cut/paste the
link to your UNLISTED YouTube video in the space provided
YOUTH MEDIA TEAM APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED BY
11:59 PM ON MAY 31, 2016.
The Youth Media Team Advisors will choose 10-12 Maryland 4-Hers to work on the YMT. Delegates
chosen for the YMT will be notified several weeks prior to Maryland 4-H Congress and may be asked
to complete “pre-work” before arriving at Congress. All applicants will be notified by e-mail whether
they were selected for the YMT.
University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or
mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, or gender identity and expression.
PRESS RELEASE FORMAT
Youth Media Team Audition Piece
Newswriting – Maryland 4-H Congress
Media Inquiries:
Name
Title
Organization
Address
Phone Number
Website
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Headline: The headline or title of a press release tells readers what the announcement is about. It
should be 100 to 150 characters long and no more than one sentence.
Subhead: Optional if additional details are needed.
City, State [Month, Day, Year] – Your press release should begin with a strong introductory
paragraph that captures the reader’s attention and contains the information most relevant to your
message. Always try to include the “Five W’s of good journalism – who, what, where, when, and why
– when applicable.
The rest of the story should provide further details about the points covered in the lead paragraph.
You can include some background information on the announcement, product, or service. If you are
explaining why your event, product, or service is unique be sure to write your release in terms most
readers will understand.
Use quotations to support opinions or details.
The last paragraph summarizes and reinforces the main point. Include a call to action for the reader
to find out more, visit your website, and contact you for more information.
About Organization
The last paragraph of a press release (AKA boilerplate) can be used to provide an overview of your
organization. This is optional.
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The close symbol (###) indicates your press release has ended.
University of Maryland Extension programs are open to all and will not discriminate against anyone because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or
mental disability, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, or gender identity and expression.