How dreams come true: My Journey to D.C as a Journalism intern

July 11, 2024

By Angely Peña-Agramonte

Youthcast Media Group®

Since the age of 6, I've wanted to go to D.C. I always told my mom I'd be at the Supreme Court one day. Everyone has a summit they hope to reach–be it a goal, a dream, or a personal journey. For me, my summit had always been a law career that would take me to Washington D.C. 

Angely visits the White House with her mother during her trip to DC.

After my search for a law-focused magnet program came up short, my journey led me to Youthcast Media Group and journalism. Little did I know that my first internship with YMG would also make one of my many dreams a reality.  I had the unexpected opportunity to travel to D.C. for YMG’s fundraiser to support journalism education and training for high school students from under-resourced communities. Before my summer internship, I’d worked with YMG for the past four years.  So, the event held special significance. Having worked with YMG for so long, finally getting to meet people, in person, was emotional. 

From the moment I landed, I felt a step closer to my summit. What made my trip even more sentimental was that my mom was right next to me, about to see me become part of something great. 

D.C. was always a city that held significance to me. I always thought I'd be here as a lawyer, but to see that journalism got me here was the beginning of a new possibility. Maybe journalism can be my career, not only something I'm studying as an undergraduate.

“We’ve trained 400 high school students so far,’’ YMG Founder Jayne O'Donnell told guests at the event. “At least 95% of our students rate our extracurricular virtual programs as very good or excellent, we have had more than 90 articles published in 26 media outlets that include USA Today, the Miami Herald, and The AFRO.” YMG’s showcase not only highlighted the success of the organization, it celebrated the growth of students, and helped to raise about $35,000 in donations and pledges. 

YMG intern Angely Peña-Agramonte speaks with former Rep. Greg Laughlin, R-Texas, left, and journalist and YMG volunteer Richard Willing.

As I arrived, the first thing that greeted me was the faces of celebrities and politicians who had visited The Monocle, a D.C. restaurant and institution on Capitol Hill, lining the walls like silent sentinels of success. Two thoughts crossed my mind: “Wow I'm in a room where all these cool people were” and “imagine if, one day, my face was there.” 

Like the venue, the fundraiser reminded students of their roots and inspired them to see how far they have reached and how far we will continue to reach in the future. 

At the entry table, name tags for the attendees awaited– seeing the names of fellow YMG students and alums, (and some whose stories I just edited as an intern!), felt surreal. 

 Student speakers took the spotlight, sharing personal stories of growth and transformation through YMG. Their voices filled with passion and authenticity resonated with everyone in the room, demonstrating the profound impact of mentorship and support. 

“YMG has encouraged us (students) to approach the problems in our communities with curiosity and compassion, and with a passion for using words to build positive, lasting change,” said Sreehitha “Sarah” Gandluri,  also a four-year YMG participant who is headed to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this fall with a full scholarship.

This event was not limited to celebrating past achievements; it was about forging new connections and inspiring future endeavors. 

Jayne emphasized that many YMG-trained students come from varying backgrounds and many have chosen their career paths and majors due to their work with YMG. 

As I toured D.C., I was reminded of the showcase’s focus. As I saw youth protesting for Gaza outside of the White House, and younger generations and older all joined in celebrating Pride, I was reminded of personal growth and success stories. Like at YMG, regardless of our background, we all have opportunities for success and, combined with support, a chance to even reach our summit.  

To that 6-year-old me, I'm proud to say we made it, and I was able to take Mamí with me.