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You've read the stories.
X-Team takes on Dave Andreychuk, the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
X-Team visits with Alma Powell, wife of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Teen circus star in harrowing motorcycle act chats with X-Team.
The stories keep coming: X-Team reports on teens' busy schedules; talks with a girl who helped tired rescue workers in New York after 9/11; discovers what it is like to be in school and hearing-impaired; gets advice from newlyweds pop stars Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey.
The 2002-03 X-Team has been prolific. And if you love to write and have a nose for news and you enjoy staying busy, being on the X-Team may be just the thing for you.
X-Teams have been writing for Xpress, the St. Petersburg Times' special pages aimed at readers ages 9 to 18, since 1995. Now we begin the search for the 2003-2004 team.
Reporting and writing interesting stories is a huge part of what the X-Team gets to do. But members also spend the year learning the art and craft of writing at monthly writing workshops with seasoned journalists.
So if you've got the urge to pick up a pen and notebook and go out and interview somebody for a story, apply RIGHT NOW to be considered for the 2003-2004 X-Team. An applicant - that's YOU, not your PARENTS! - must follow all the instructions below or your application will not be accepted.
Here's the first instruction: Before you start, please read this list of MUSTS to see if you qualify:
You must have a talent and love for writing.
You must be full of good story ideas about people, places, things and events (no fiction!) and be comfortable interviewing people for your stories.
You must be able to meet deadlines without being nagged by your editor.
You must be comfortable talking with editors, who will need to converse with you regularly by phone and e-mail, as well as in person for editing sessions.
You must be able to attend X-Team workshops once a month on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m., usually at the downtown St. Petersburg Times building. Please consider your time obligations with school and other extracurricular commitments before applying. Being an X-Team member is a big time commitment.
You must have a parent or guardian willing to drive you to and from X-Team assignments and workshops or, if you are old enough, be able to drive yourself. (Keep in mind, you might have to travel outside your county, so this is very important.)
You must have access to e-mail. (You don't have to OWN a computer, just be able to use one and check it regularly.) You will be sending your stories to the Times via computer, and we communicate workshop reminders and other important information via e-mail.
You must be ages 9 to 18.
If you aced the above test, we want you to apply! The competition is tough, so we need to know as much about you as possible. Please fill out the attached coupon and include it and a photo of yourself with a letter covering the following points (sorry, we can't return material):
What being a member of the X-Team would mean to you;
Why you'd be the best person for the job;
Five absolutely fabulous story ideas, two examples of deadlines you have met and some samples of your writing (nonfiction stories if you have any).
Please list all the activities you're involved in outside of school hours and how often they meet.
Please use your best handwriting and follow directions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Mail your application to:
I DREAM OF THE X-TEAM
c/o Sherry Robinson
St. Petersburg Times
P.O. Box 1121
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
DEADLINE IS JUNE 2. The team will be chosen and notified over the summer. Those not selected also will be notified. Please be patient; the selection process takes time!