Young VI Journalist Heading Canada To Participate In Pan American Games Young Reporter’s Program

St. Croix’s — Sydney Paul has been chosen by the Pan Am and Parapan American Games Organizing Committee to represent the Virgin Islands in a program dedicated to training young journalists in sports media during the XVII Pan American Games this summer in Toronto, Canada, according to a press release issued by the U.S. Virgin Islands Olympic Committee.

The Toronto 2015 Young Reporters Program selected one individual from each of the 41 countries competing in the XVII Pan American Games to participate in the nearly three week long experience. During the program which takes place July 8-21, the students will be mentored by journalists and sports management professionals, receive networking opportunities, and serve as members of the XVII Pan American Games press corps.

“I’ve always been a fan of sports journalism and I’m grateful for the opportunity to polish my skills which I can share with others when I return home,” Paul said. “It’s certainly going to be an amazing experience to have with fellow journalists from across the Americas.”

Other countries participating in the program include Peru, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Argentina, El Salvador, Mexico, Canada, The United States, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Dominica, and Trinidad and Tobago, among several others.

“Sydney will have the opportunity to interact and rub shoulders with champion athletes and sports official from across globe during her time in Toronto,” said Virgin Islands Olympic Committee President, Angel Morales. “We proud to have her represent the Territory and hope she gains a lot from her experience.”

Training for the program starts the end of April via online lectures and webinars, and will culminate to several days of on-hand training upon arrival to Toronto before official reporting on the XVII Pan American Games’ events begin.

Paul, 24 was selected by the Toronto 2015 organizing committee from three young Virgin Island journalists nominated by the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee. She said the Virgin Islands Bowling Federation, of which she is a member, encouraged her to apply.

“It’s an excellent chance to build skills and experience, professionally and culturally,” Paul said. “I’d encourage other young professionals at home to seek these opportunities out because they’re so invaluable.”

The federation’s president, Ronald Moorehead, said the entire Virgin Islands bowling community is proud of Sydney and this great opportunity for her to represent the U.S. Virgin Islands. “With her educational background in journalism and love of competitive sports, the Olympic Committee has made us proud, and we look forward to hearing of her experience,” he said.

Paul, who has been competitively bowling for 14 years, recently competed for the Virgin Islands in the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games which took place in Veracruz, Mexico last November.

Paul, who graduated from St. Joseph High School, recently returned home to St. Croix this past summer after graduating from a documentary filmmaking graduate certificate program at the George Washington University in Washington D.C. last July. She also holds a master’s degree in multi-platform journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Chicago.

Paul currently works as the communications coordinator for Virgin Islands Senate President Neville James, while also pursuing personal cultural projects about the Territory. The Senate President said he couldn’t think of a more perfect choice to send to the program. “Sydney is sharp, on the ball, and works well under pressure,” he said. “Her attention to detail and keen observation without a doubt will be a valuable addition to the Pan American Games press corps.”

Paul will be joining a contingent of Virgin Islands athletes who will be competing in several sports during the XVII Pan American Games. The event, which is held every four years, is the third largest international multi-sports Games in the world, according to the organization’s website.

“It’s quite an overwhelming experience to think about, but I’m anxious to get started,” Paul said. “I’m proud to represent the Territory just like the athletes are. I welcome the challenge with open arms and I’m ready to put my best reporting on the table.”