SJI, Day 3

Manager Sojo chats it up with

the eager student reporters.

Every year, the 10 days of SJI are my favorite days of the year. The days are long, the mornings come way too early, and there are many questions asked that I will never have the answers for. But it's through the quest that we learn, both the students and the instructors. I always grow at SJI, though often not without pain (but that's why there's the term "growing pains").This is an amazing class. Thirteen students, every one of them a good writer, possibly a first for us. And more than in any other class have respect for and interest in the craft of editing, a very encouraging sign for both them in their job searches and the profession that needs them.As amazing as the class is the Poynter Institute, the best classroom setting in journalism. You truly can almost feel the spiriit of Nelson Poynter as you walk the halls (and I don't tend to be a new-age-spiritualist person).Today we are at Legends Field in Tampa where the Yankees are gracious hosts (as were the Devil Rays last night). As we headed to the press box after interview sessions in manager Luis Sojo's office and a free-form round of interviews in the player clubhouse, a p.r. person said she was glad we had come and that the team now hopes for more visits like this, that the players learn what being interviewed by the media is all about. I was so proud of the class, which is also learning, but to the outside world clearly comes off as pros.It won't be my last proud moment this week.--sandy