Courtesy photo Delta Force 2023 Graduates at the 2023 Chamber Annual Dinner/Graduation Ceremony.

ESCANABA — Delta Force students learned the challenges that reporters face on a daily basis in the newsroom and the stresses of working on short deadlines. They also learned from members of the local media about how to successfully use social media in business, and the benefits and dangers of artificial intelligence.

Delta Force students participated in the last session of this year’s Delta Force series — Media and Communications Day — on Oct. 5. The day started with breakfast, sponsored by The Daily Press and Radio Results Network (RRN), at the Delta County Commerce Center.

Delta Force students were welcomed by Daily Press Publisher Sarah Greenlund, RRN General Manager Jesse Huff, RRN Director of Sales Jay Fisher, and on-air personality Mindy Wills. The group listened to Jay Fisher speak about digital marketing, how to use social media effectively in business, and RRN’s community focus.

Next, WJMN TV 3 Meteorologist Tom Kippen presented on how he forecasts weather using radar and other technology. Students asked him questions about predicting the weather and using AI in weather forecasting.

After lunch at Hereford & Hops, students went to the Daily Press to practice writing a news story under the pressure of a deadline, facilitated by Daily Press Editor Brian Rowell, a four-decade veteran in the news business.

Rowell held a humorous mock press conference for the Delta Force students centered on a fictitious resident named Herman Houte (Rowell), in which he described to the budding student reporters his discovery of a new beverage called FOY (Fountain of Youth) that he claimed could reverse the aging process. Students were given 15 minutes to research and write their story on the Daily Press computers, with the typical interruptions of a working newsroom.

“This assignment is designed to give them a hands-on understanding of the pressures experienced by reporters in a newsroom,” Rowell explained. The students also received valuable advice from Rowell on how to write effective press releases for the media, making sure to include basic information on the covered topic, and a photo when possible. He stressed that his philosophy is to “present people with facts and let them draw their own conclusions.”

Next, the students went to RRN’s studio/offices for a tour and discussion of the radio stations with Amy Mathieson, RRN’s Business Manager. She said the thing that makes RRN special is that the company is not only focused on the business side, but is also community-driven.

“We want to help the community grow,” she said, noting that RRN holds an annual food drive called “Stuff the Studio” in which staff collects nonperishable food items to help stock the local food pantries.

Students met veteran RRN D.J./Program Manager T.J. Ryan, and recorded their voices as he showed them how he cues music and creates voice-overs and ads.

Finally, students met with WZMQ (Channel 19) Reporter Lily Simmons at the Escanaba WLUC TV6/ Fox UP office where they did on-the-spot interviews covering what they learned in Delta Force.

In their interviews, Delta Force students said they were excited about this opportunity to learn about the inner workings of their community. Student Derek Light said, “Joining Delta Force has opened my eyes to everything that Delta County really offers. It’s a lot more than I ever expected.”

Delta Force student Ashley Edwardsen agrees. “Delta Force is an amazing program.” She made the following suggestion to those considering Delta Force: “If you have the opportunity to join, you should. It’s a great opportunity to see what there is in your community to partake in.”

Delta Force student professionals graduated from the community leadership program at the Chamber of Commerce’s “Sounds of Music”-themed Annual Dinner on Oct. 12 at the Island Resort and Casino.

One of the Delta Force graduates, Julie Lambert, who also owns Leigh’s Garden Winery in Escanaba, agrees that going through Delta Force is a golden opportunity.

“If you haven’t had the chance to go through this program, and the opportunity comes up, please take advantage of it,” Lambert advised in her speech at the Annual Dinner and Delta Force Graduation ceremony. “You will be amazed at what we have in our bright, growing, small community, and should be excited for what’s to come, especially in the next few years.”

Created and facilitated by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, Delta Force encompasses a series of 10 full-day sessions covering such areas as media and communications, education, health and community services, law and order, government, and other key segments of our community. It acquaints participants with community issues, resources and opportunities and increases their leadership skills.

A typical day involves a combination of group discussions, field trips, and presentations by respected local leaders. Visit HYPERLINK “http://www.deltami.org/delta-force-leadership-program” deltami.org/delta-force-leadership-program for more information.

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Victoria LaFave is with the Delta County Chamber of Commerce.