Do you remember Lici Fabulous? You should if you've been reading Youthlink for a while; her entertainment articles had as much personality as she does. Like so many of our previous writers, this promising young woman who is furthering her studies abroad wasn't too busy to spend time with her favourite teen magazine.

Youthlink (YL): You were a Youthlink writer for how long, and which section(s) did you write?

Alicia Forrest

Alicia Forrest (AF): For about four years. I wrote news for all four years, but entertainment was added to the list after about two years. I wrote that section under the pseudonym Lici Fabulous.

YL: What did you like best about Youthlink?

AF: I loved that our articles were always innovative and offered a fresh perspective on things. For example, there was a ball issue and someone came up with the brilliant idea of hairstyles for different kinds of hair. There was one for dreadlocks, one for natural hair, braids, and the usual relaxed/permed hair. I also liked that we were in full 32-page colour!

YL: How have you benefited from the skills training you received while working with Youthlink?

AF: Good communication skills and being expressive in a respectful way are two of the skills I acquired during my time with Youthlink. They have helped me to interact well, and I apply them daily at school, whether I'm meeting with fellow board members of the radio station where I work or in my capacity as a student advisor.

YL: What's your most memorable Youthlink moment?

AF: The trip to Starfish Hotel in Trelawny with the older gang of writers; that was fun; a great way to get to know the other writers whom I didn't really see much on a Saturday.

YL: What have you been doing since Youthlink?

AF: I've been attending the Mount Holyoke College in the United States, where I'm pursuing a double major in economics and French. I'm going into my third year this September.

YL: What do you hope to achieve five years from now?

AF: God's willing, I would have completed my master's and be working somewhere where I can be part of a team helping to effect change in economic policies so that developing countries like Jamaica can benefit.

YL: What do you think can be done to boost Jamaica's economy?

AF: I think that part of the puzzle is structural and institutional change. Many institutions have policies that are hindrances to investment, whether local or foreign. There is also a flip side; while these same institutions are obstacles, they do serve a purpose, so I think we, as a people, need to decide what we want and stick to it. There are laws and policies to be followed and for some corporations, this is too much hassle when compared with other countries where the laws aren't as stringent. So, part of our institutional or structural change has to take into account that while we want laws that protect our people and other valuable resources, we also need to remain competitive as a potential location for outsourced labour.

André

André Williams graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona, in 2008, with a major in history and philosophy.

Journalist-turned-entertainment public relations officer and soon-to-be record label owner André Williams found his true passion and career path while writing for Youthlink. He explained that being the head of the entertainment section provided him with the exposure he needed to work in the entertainment industry today. What else he has been doing since Youthlink?

YL: For how long did you write for Youthlink and how would you describe the journey?

André Williams (AW): I wrote for three years and I consider the journey to have been a very instrumental part of my life today, because that's where I got started in this whole entertainment thing. Youthlink allowed me to build connections with persons in the field that I still have today.

YL: You started writing for Youthlink the same time you entered university. How difficult was it to balance both obligations?

AW: I mean, Youthlink didn't take away from my studies. If it was one thing I learnt it was to find balance. I had to make the sacrifice and dedicate time for both. After a while, everything kind of tied in and flowed easily.

YL: What did you find most challenging about being a Youthlink writer?

AW: Keeping up to date with current information was challenging. You had to know what was going on both locally and internationally. Kareem saw to this. During general meetings, he would select random persons to lament and expound on any current issue. Knowing that, I read from different media so I would be prepared just in case he selected me.

YL: What's your most memorable Youthlink experience?

AW: When Youthlink ranked as the number-one youth magazine, according to a media survey. We were number one! We were featured on a lot of covers; it was just amazing!

YL: How do you contribute to the development of Jamaica?

AW: Well, I think my contribution comes in the form of enjoyment and mentorship in that I host an annual children's treat at Maxfield Avenue, which is really a peace initiative. This year will be its third staging and each year we invite influential and uplifting persons to come, whether it's an artiste, mentor or so no. So I'm doing my part in the fight against crime and violence.

Youth journalist-turned-teacher, Jonathan Tyson. After teaching, Jonathan hopes to become a minister of religion.

Jonathan

Jonathan Tyson started writing for Youthlink in 2004, and though he stayed only one year, he too has benefited from the experiences he gained from being a writer. Jonathan is now pursuing his master's degree at the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology, but remained tight-lipped about his area of specialisation. Let's see if he will be open about other things.

YL: How did you start writing for 'Youthlink'?

Jonathan Tyson (JT): It was while I was attending the University of the West Indies (UWI) in 2004 that a friend of mine, Tesi Johnson, who was also a writer, informed me that Youthlink was recruiting. I was introduced to the coordinator, Kareem LaTouche, and that was how I started.

YL: What section did you write for in the paper?

JT: At the time, there was a section called Mind and Spirit, which included uplifting pieces, be it on a spiritual or relationship level. As long as it offered some kind of guidance as it relates to life.

YL: What word would you use to describe the experience you've gained from being a Youthlink writer?

JT: Enlightening!

YL: What do you admire about the paper today?

JT: The production value and the contents. The photos, articles and everything have only improved.

YL: What is one thing you've gained from writing for this magazine?

JT: I've learnt how to be responsible because at the get-go, I wasn't the most responsible person. In order to be able to produce articles on a regular basis, I had to learn to be that. I was scolded (laughs) on more than one occasion, but that helped me to manage my time more effectively.

YL: What have you been up to since 'Youthlink'?

JT: Since Youthlink, I've completed my degree at the UWI in social sciences. I'm now teaching language and literature at Wolmer's Boys' School.

YL: Did you plan to become a teacher?

JT: No, but I think it's an honourable profession and literature was always something I enjoyed learning, so I welcomed the opportunity to teach it. Knowing that many persons, especially young men, hate the subject, I find it as an opportunity to use my enjoyment of literature to really inspire them.

YL: What is your view on the divestment of the national carrier Air Jamaica?

JT: Well, it was a difficult situation because there was no way that we could manage to finance its operations anymore. Seeing the difficulty of the situation, I really don't see what other route the Government could have taken. Knowing how much debt the airline was accumulating each year, I really don't see how they could have got out of the situation.

Monique

She describes the relationship she shared with fellow writers as kind of being one happy family. The former entertainment writer and co-host of Youthlink on Radio, Monique Grey, tells us of her time spent at Youthlink and all that has been happening to her since.

YL: How do you spend your Saturdays now that you don't have 'Youthlink' responsibilities?

Monique Grey (MG): Saturdays are now Saturdays. When I was a Youthlink writer, I would always get hounded by some friends for having to get up early to go to work at my "young age". I try to fit in some sort of work, but the main difference between my Saturdays now and then is that I get to sleep late; yay!

YL: Who would you say was the comedian of the pack?

MG: Oh, that's easy - Kareem! Even though he is the boss, he always found every opportunity to get a laugh. He always had a positive mental attitude towards everything.

YL: What was your strategy in ensuring that your articles were in on time?

MG: I would always dedicate a day and time during the week to Youthlink work. That way, I wouldn't fall too far behind any deadline. If that time during the week wasn't enough, I would get to the office earlier on a Saturday to catch up on work before our meeting. If it still wasn't enough, I would take some more time after meetings to buckle down and get things completed.

YL: Do you think dancehall music has lost its originality in terms of its beat? Why do you think that is?

MG: I don't believe that specific part of dancehall can be "lost". However, I do believe that many producers are trying too hard to be international, which has made current Jamaican music (dancehall, which most still call it) so Americanised that it has formed its own genre: hip hop-dancehall; R&B dancehall. This new genre of Jamaican music is slowly putting an end to the real thing - dancehall.

YL: What's your main focus at the moment?

MG: I completed by my bachelor's in media and communication last year. Since then, I've been working in multimedia and, more recently, working on formulating and successfully launching my own business. I also took a break from the radio scene.

Advice from Monique

Dare to be different! Also, take advantage of all opportunities and LIVE your life loving every second of every minute of what you do.

Shari

Though no longer a writer, Shari Oliver still embraces the passion she had when writing for Youthlink. She reminisced with delight on her four years working with the team. In addition to studying abroad, she fills us in on what else has been happening in her life.

YL: Describe how you felt when you saw your first article published.

SO: Gratified. My first articles were for the Sexology column. I was so happy I was able to provide our adolescent readers with structured interviews and the expertise of health professionals on various topics. These tabooed topics were placed on the table, dispelling myths, clarifying concerns, positively approaching adulthood and providing useful resources and contact information. I am just so thankful that I had the opportunity to make such a positive impact on our youths.

YL: What is one important quality you've developed at 'Youthlink'?

SO: I learnt excellent time management skills as a result of working with Youthlink. At the time, I was juggling being head girl at Immaculate, vice-captain of the tennis team and several other responsibilities. It was time management that allowed me to execute my duties at the highest level.

YL: What were some of the challenges you faced while writing for Youthlink?

SO: Any challenge would have to have been the issues discussed in the Sexology column. Nonetheless, they were topics that needed to be addressed and I was brave enough to do it. Many articles may have raised eyebrows but, more important, they opened many eyes to the truth and available resources.

YL: You sounded really excited at the prospect of this interview. Explain the passion you still have for the paper and why you would encourage any teen to try to get involved?

SO: Youthlink is not only a magazine to me. It is a family, a way of life, a positive movement for elevated minds. Youthlink is the entrepreneurial spirit, the essence of the young and the young at heart. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to touch the lives of the Jamaican youths. One's involvement can facilitate learning and build network. It is literally a springboard into corporate Jamaica, journalism and broadcasting, entertainment, etc. I am Youthlink and will always be Youthlink!

YL: What's your main focus at the moment?

SO: I'm an intern at Delta Air Lines Inc in their supplier diversity department. I'm also completing my Master of Science Degree in corporate communication on full scholarship at North Carolina State University.

YL: What piece of advice from coordinator Kareem LaTouche has stuck with you to this day?

SO: Kareem has always encouraged me to pause and reflect; take time for me. He always encourages me to maintain balance. He has been not only a boss but a mentor and a best friend!

Dwayne Berbick (left) and Wolf Blitzer. Looks like CNN is not so far away.

Dwayne

Many of us know Dwayne Berbick as a journalist and anchor at CVM TV but how many of us know that he got his start right here at Youthlink?

YL: How did you begin to write for 'Youthlink'?

Dwayne Berbick (DB): I was part of the journalism club at my school (Manchester High) and one of my teachers asked me why I didn't try writing for Youthlink. I kind of ignored the idea for a while but, eventually, I wrote an article and it got published; from there I continued writing more and more articles. The official break, however, was when I came to Kingston and got a call from Nashauna Drummond (Lifestyle coordinator at the time) stating that Youthlink was doing some rebranding and as such wanted some core writers. I was officially invited to be part of the team in 2002.

YL: Can you recall the title of your first article?

DB: My first article ever published in Youthlink was called 'What Jamaica Needs Now'. It was right before the general elections in 2002, during my academic year in lower six at Manchester High.

YL: Which section/team did you write for?

DB: Social. I did most of the feature stories on youth achievers, as well as stories on persons who did things for youth empowerment or uplifting purposes. However, I also did some entertainment stories on various artistes, as well as some style-related pieces. My focus was on young persons who were making tremendous impact out there, though.

YL: In terms of your career, how did working with Youthlink help to mould you?

DB: It gave me a lot of exposure to the craft of journalism and to a lot of individuals who were movers and shakers in different aspects of the Jamaican landscape. I remember we had a theme at one point, 'A Day in the Life of (a CEO)' where I, along with another writer, Sharnon, would spend a day with a prominent CEO in order to know who he/she is apart from behind the desk or camera lens.

YL: What's the most memorable experience you've had working for 'Youthlink'?

DB: That moment has to be when I received the Prime Minister's Youth Award for Journalism in 2008. Yes, that really showed that persons were recognising my work and the paper's contribution to the broader society.

YL: What is one thing you miss about working with Youthlink?

DB: I miss going to The Gleaner Company on a Saturday and having bar-b-fried chicken (laughs)! Meetings were fun. Even though Kareem would get hard on us at times, they were always fun.

I also can't forget Starfish! In about 2004 or 2005, that trip was a well-deserved one because we had worked so hard at the time and made Youthlink Jamaica's number-one-ranked teen paper.

Tyrone

Tyrone Wilson left Youthlink about four years ago. He is now the founder/managing director of Ezine Limited, an online magazine company. Guess it's safe to say journalism must have taken root in this young and ambitious man.

YL: What was it like when you saw your first article in the 'Youthlink'?

TW: It was amazing because I had never done anything like an article before, and knowing the readership that Youthlink had at the time, it was just amazing.

YL: What's your most comical Youthlink memory?

TW: There was this Saturday when Conrad (who was also a writer) wore a knock-off Lacoste glasses. We changed the name to Crocoste (laughs) and made fun of him all day. He, however, managed to sell it to another writer for $100. There were other hilarious moments which mostly surrounded Conrad. We just loved messing with him; it was nothing personal though.

YL: What's one important thing you learnt at Youthlink?

TW: Being well organised is one important thing I have learnt. Journalism is about being organised and with Youthlink being such a diverse publication, we had to get our articles in on time so we could be sure they would be published the following week; being organised was a must. Today, that's one thing that I preach about in my company.

YL: Was there any particular article that you found very challenging?

TW: Yes, there was. I wrote for the sports section and I was working on a set of articles called 'Twenty-five top athletes of all times'. That was quite challenging, as it required a lot of research and there were deadlines to be met, it was just a tedious task.

YL: Apart from Ezine Limited, what have you been doing lately?

TW: I'm also chief executive officer of Coretalk Caribbean Limited, which is a short messaging service (SMS) text messaging company. It is the world's only two-way text messaging company that uses customer-relationship management. Other than that, there are a lot of ideas that I'm exploring related to media because I'm all about entrepreneurship.

YL: How relevant do you think journalism is in our society?

TW: If you look around, you will see it in everything. Without the profession, people wouldn't be informed at all, so I think it is very important and relevant. Otherwise, people would just make up news, so journalism forms a vital part of every society.

Trudy-Ann

Law or journalism? With her ability she can do either.

Trudy-Ann McLeary now lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but says she still maintains the friendship she shares with other Youthlink writers. Here is what she had to share.

YL: What were the exact words you uttered when you saw your first article published?

TM: I don't remember what my exact words were; in fact, I don't think I really even said anything. I didn't have to ... the big grin of pride said it all.

YL: How would you describe your style of writing at that point?

TM: I think I had a very formal style of writing because I thought that was what a newspaper was supposed to be about. It wasn't until I started doing Dollars and Sense that I realised the most important thing was to connect with readers and give them something to relate to.

YL: Describe the relationship between you and other writers during your time at Youthlink?

TM: Youthlink was a blast! I was a friend of everyone and what I found most enjoyable was the fact that though we were all so different, we got along well and were able to complement each other in a way that I had not seen then and have never seen since.

YL: If there was one thing you could change about Youthlink back then, what would it be and why?

TM: I would have liked if it had been a little more coordinated then as it is now. There were times when I had no idea what I was supposed to be working on. There were also other writers who waited long to be assigned a story.

YL: What have you been doing lately?

TM: I have been focusing on work and school. I work full time at the law office of the Public Defender and I'm going to school full time. I recently got a scholarship and so I have decided to dedicate my time to school for now.

YL: Has there been any time at all when you regretted leaving Jamaica and if so, why?

TM: There are certainly times when I miss Jamaica a lot, particularly when I get nostalgic thinking about the past or when hanging out with Jamaican friends and we reminisce about how great, fantastic and unique Jamaicans are. However, I have never regretted the choice because the goals that I set when I moved from Jamaica are all being achieved but, of course, nuh weh nuh nice like yaad!

A word of advice from Trudy-Ann - It is important to remember that one of the main things that distinguish a writer is not fancy writing but an ability to connect with the readers. The people read newspapers and magazines not only to get information but also to be entertained.