Holland College Journalism student Lindsay Carroll recently received an Atlantic Journalism Award prize of excellence at a luncheon held in Charlottetown recently. The prize is presented annually to a student in the program who shows initiative, maturity, creativity and professionalism in course work or independent writing.

Carroll came to Holland College after earning an undergraduate degree in Manitoba, then spending some time working at a music shop. As can happen with more mature students, she knew what she wanted and she went about getting it.

Instructor Wayne Young praised Carroll’s approach to learning. “She treated her time in the journalism program at Holland College like a job, one she did every day at a very high level," he said.

“She had done some radio work while in Manitoba and was one of the college's two finalists interviewed by CBC Radio Charlottetown for an internship there. She won a very close competition and soon earned a reputation as a no-muss, no-fuss reporter able to get around roadblocks and deliver well-told stories on a tight deadline. She adapted to the demands of broadcasting quickly and efficiently while still doing the same work as was required of everyone else in her class. Her performance came as no surprise to her colleagues and instructors, since they had watched her excel in class.”

“My education, combined with life experience, has given me a taste of what real journalism is all about. And I have to say, I'm very excited to be a part of it,” she said.

"Being a journalist, for me, means being a window between the world and the people who are most affected by its constant changes. I believe people have a fundamental right to know what's going on around them, and deserve to have their stories told. I only hope that I will one day become as distinguished in the field as my instructors at Holland College and my mentors and colleagues at CBC."

Carroll and her 11 classmates graduated from the Journalism program recently.