Camtastic Newsletter February 2025
Through Rain, Sleet and Hail, SIU Journalism Students Provide Unique Coverage of Trump’s Inauguration
A group of Southern Illinois University students braved frigid weather and heated politics to capture President Trump’s second inauguration and the voices of those who oppose him.
By Molly Parker-Stephens
Assistant Professor, School of Journalism and Advertising
Five Southern Illinois University journalism students gained critical field experience and forged lasting friendships covering President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in Washington, D.C. last month.
The group, which made the trip in a university van, had to think through what gear to pack, how to stay warm and what emergency supplies to carry after completing hostile environment and emergency preparedness training on the SIU campus earlier in the week.
They stayed in a small Georgetown apartment secured through a nonprofit peace community. With hotel rooms running into the thousands for the inauguration and many Airbnb hosts blocking their listings to avoid MAGA guests, this unique arrangement helped keep costs manageable. Jan Thompson, Director of the School of Journalism and Advertising, had booked the room nearly a year in advance.
The students worked late into the night, balancing roles as photographers, videographers, and writers while navigating the whirlwind of inauguration events. The team included Enan Chediak, a senior art (photography) student from Herrin, Illinois; Will Elliott, a freshman in radio, TV, digital media and journalism (broadcasting) from Downers Grove, Illinois; Lylee Gibbs, a junior studying journalism (photojournalism) from Du Quoin, Illinois; Carly Gist, a junior studying journalism and social work from Evansville, Indiana; and Dominique Martinez-Powell, a senior studying journalism (photojournalism) and psychology from Springfield, Illinois.
Lylee Gibbs, editor-in-chief of the Daily Egyptian, described the trip as “a really great experience” that pushed the team to collaborate in a fast-changing environment. For many, it was their first time reporting outside of southern Illinois.
“We had to learn to go with the flow,” Gibbs said. “Things were changing as we were there, and right before we left, it got moved inside. We weren’t expecting that.”
Martinez-Powell, managing editor of the Daily Egyptian, said the trip was a great bonding experience. “Especially toward the end, we really worked out a system that functioned for all of us,” she said.
The students relied on each other. Only two were old enough to drive the university van—Chediak and Martinez-Powell—so they took turns behind the wheel. They credited Chediak with handling much of the driving, navigating the city, and tackling the long drive back after two hard days of reporting. Martinez-Powell stayed awake with him in the front seat into the wee hours as they worked together to ensure the team arrived home safely.
Gist found the experience helpful for her future career. “In journalism, we’re going to be working in so many different places and interviewing so many different people in different situations. This was a perfect opportunity to explore that,” she said. Gist also stressed the importance of objective reporting and setting aside one’s political beliefs, especially in a politically charged environment.
“We had to practice objective reporting, talking to people from different groups,” she said. Gist was part of a team that covered two events mainly at opposite ends of the political spectrum—Rep. Mike Bost’s “Welcome Southern Illinois” reception and an MLK ceremony that included themes of resistance.
The students’ work provided unique multimedia coverage: They captured fashion, talked to people about staying warm and provided fresh perspectives across multiple platforms. Elliott led the way with engaging social media videos.
The students' training earlier in the week, organized by Julia Rendleman, assistant professor at the School of Journalism, proved essential in the field. In Washington, the students reconnected with Bryan Woolston, one of the photojournalists who led the hazardous environment training, and he guided them through navigating parts of the event.
The group also enjoyed a special treat from Caroline Drees, senior director of Field Safety and Security at NPR in Washington, who had participated in the training on the SIU Carbondale campus. Before heading home on Tuesday, they attended a planned Tiny Desk Concert. NPR welcomed them upstairs for an unforgettable performance by Igmar Thomas’ Revive Big Band.
Alee Quick, interim faculty managing editor of the Daily Egyptian, who had attended Trump’s first inauguration and the opposing Women’s March in 2017, flew to D.C. to support the students. She let them find their way but provided a moral support system and helped move content late into the night.
Martinez-Powell appreciated the “hands-on, not handholding” approach. “It’s a good experience to have now rather than being out in the real world and an editor says, ‘Alright, here you go. Go do it.’ And they’re expecting you to know what to do,” she said.
Quick said the trip also offered lessons beyond traditional journalism skills like writing and photography. “The experience was invaluable, especially the stuff that translates to working at the Daily Egyptian and future work in journalism,” she said, “like packing, planning ahead and understanding what your needs are if you’re going to be out in the field all day. Like food,” she added with a chuckle. The students giggled, too. “They learned the hard way.”
A group of Southern Illinois University students braved frigid weather and heated politics to capture President Trump’s second inauguration and the voices of those who oppose him.
By Molly Parker-Stephens
Assistant Professor, School of Journalism and Advertising
Five Southern Illinois University journalism students gained critical field experience and forged lasting friendships covering President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in Washington, D.C. last month.
The group, which made the trip in a university van, had to think through what gear to pack, how to stay warm and what emergency supplies to carry after completing hostile environment and emergency preparedness training on the SIU campus earlier in the week.
They stayed in a small Georgetown apartment secured through a nonprofit peace community. With hotel rooms running into the thousands for the inauguration and many Airbnb hosts blocking their listings to avoid MAGA guests, this unique arrangement helped keep costs manageable. Jan Thompson, Director of the School of Journalism and Advertising, had booked the room nearly a year in advance.
The students worked late into the night, balancing roles as photographers, videographers, and writers while navigating the whirlwind of inauguration events. The team included Enan Chediak, a senior art (photography) student from Herrin, Illinois; Will Elliott, a freshman in radio, TV, digital media and journalism (broadcasting) from Downers Grove, Illinois; Lylee Gibbs, a junior studying journalism (photojournalism) from Du Quoin, Illinois; Carly Gist, a junior studying journalism and social work from Evansville, Indiana; and Dominique Martinez-Powell, a senior studying journalism (photojournalism) and psychology from Springfield, Illinois.
Lylee Gibbs, editor-in-chief of the Daily Egyptian, described the trip as “a really great experience” that pushed the team to collaborate in a fast-changing environment. For many, it was their first time reporting outside of southern Illinois.
“We had to learn to go with the flow,” Gibbs said. “Things were changing as we were there, and right before we left, it got moved inside. We weren’t expecting that.”
Martinez-Powell, managing editor of the Daily Egyptian, said the trip was a great bonding experience. “Especially toward the end, we really worked out a system that functioned for all of us,” she said.
The students relied on each other. Only two were old enough to drive the university van—Chediak and Martinez-Powell—so they took turns behind the wheel. They credited Chediak with handling much of the driving, navigating the city, and tackling the long drive back after two hard days of reporting. Martinez-Powell stayed awake with him in the front seat into the wee hours as they worked together to ensure the team arrived home safely.
Gist found the experience helpful for her future career. “In journalism, we’re going to be working in so many different places and interviewing so many different people in different situations. This was a perfect opportunity to explore that,” she said. Gist also stressed the importance of objective reporting and setting aside one’s political beliefs, especially in a politically charged environment.
“We had to practice objective reporting, talking to people from different groups,” she said. Gist was part of a team that covered two events mainly at opposite ends of the political spectrum—Rep. Mike Bost’s “Welcome Southern Illinois” reception and an MLK ceremony that included themes of resistance.
The students’ work provided unique multimedia coverage: They captured fashion, talked to people about staying warm and provided fresh perspectives across multiple platforms. Elliott led the way with engaging social media videos.
The students' training earlier in the week, organized by Julia Rendleman, assistant professor at the School of Journalism, proved essential in the field. In Washington, the students reconnected with Bryan Woolston, one of the photojournalists who led the hazardous environment training, and he guided them through navigating parts of the event.
The group also enjoyed a special treat from Caroline Drees, senior director of Field Safety and Security at NPR in Washington, who had participated in the training on the SIU Carbondale campus. Before heading home on Tuesday, they attended a planned Tiny Desk Concert. NPR welcomed them upstairs for an unforgettable performance by Igmar Thomas’ Revive Big Band.
Alee Quick, interim faculty managing editor of the Daily Egyptian, who had attended Trump’s first inauguration and the opposing Women’s March in 2017, flew to D.C. to support the students. She let them find their way but provided a moral support system and helped move content late into the night.
Martinez-Powell appreciated the “hands-on, not handholding” approach. “It’s a good experience to have now rather than being out in the real world and an editor says, ‘Alright, here you go. Go do it.’ And they’re expecting you to know what to do,” she said.
Quick said the trip also offered lessons beyond traditional journalism skills like writing and photography. “The experience was invaluable, especially the stuff that translates to working at the Daily Egyptian and future work in journalism,” she said, “like packing, planning ahead and understanding what your needs are if you’re going to be out in the field all day. Like food,” she added with a chuckle. The students giggled, too. “They learned the hard way.”