Eva Baldi
Shawville June 23, 2021
Shawville native Connor Stephens is getting the opportunity of a lifetime in New York City.
Earlier this year, Stephens was helping a few of his friends complete their university applications. Through editing their work, he was reminded of his love of writing.
Late one night, Stephens was scrolling on Facebook when he stumbled upon an advertisement for The School of the New York Times. Thinking that it may be a scam, Stephens did some research. After coming to the conclusion that it was a legitimate establishment, he was immediately intrigued.
“I have always wanted to go to New York, that has been the dream,” recounted Stephens when asked what initially interested him in the program.
The program is called Gap Year, it is a six-week program with the School of the New York Times. Each week, students will have the opportunity to explore a different section of the newspaper where they will gain hands-on experience and meet top people in the industry. Throughout the week, students will be asked to take notes on what they have come across in order to write an article about the topic by the end of the week. Despite his doubts that he would be accepted into the program, Stephens applied.
“What do I have to lose, why not, the worst they will say is no,” Stephens said, describing his mindset going into the application process. Stephens took the time to write the two personal essays, submit work from his studies in CEGEP, and send in his resume. It was not until the admissions team began calling his references that Stephens believed that his dream of going to New York may actually become a reality.
Stephens later met with the head of admissions. During his interview via Zoom, he was asked what set him apart from other applicants for which he answered “I grew up in a town of about 1,600 people where there are more cows than people.” Stephens continued on by describing how his time growing up in such a small community set him apart, “Your views on things can sometimes be extremely different than what someone in a more urban setting may think about certain things.”
Stephens laughed about his interview remarking that the interviewer was convinced that he must be fluent in French because he was from Quebec.
When asked what he hopes to gain from his time away in the Big Apple, Stephens said that he looks forward to leaving the program with substantial knowledge of journalism. “I am so excited to have the opportunity to work in the New York times building [and] taking in the culture of New York City,” Stephens elaborated.
Stephens leaves for New York on September 13th with full support from his parents. His mother, Debrah Stephens comented, “We are so proud of him, and we are so happy that we took a chance because look what happens when you take a chance.”
