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Hannah Potes, a senior pursuing dual degrees in photojournalism and Spanish, has become the first JMC student selected for a paid 10-week paid summer internship at the Orange County Register.

After completing internships at the Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky (2011) and Jackson City Patriot in Michigan (2012), Potes sought the West Coast internship “to break the Midwestern trend.” She was also attracted by internal changes now occurring at the Register and its new focus on community journalism, which she considers her specialty.

“I’m honored and excited to be the first student from Kent State to have an internship at the OC Register,” Potes said. “I hope I can make a lasting impression on the staff and pave the way for more Kent State students to apply and land the same internship. I also want to learn from the staff at the Register and I hope to continue work on my portfolio, adding new storytelling images to my body of work. And I can’t wait to immerse myself in the culture of the West Coast.”

Potes’ enthusiasm is shared by Dave LaBelle, JMC’s photojournalism program coordinator. “This is a great internship at an exciting time. Many eyes are on the Register and it’s new ownership, who are refocusing the paper on print,” LaBelle said. “And its photo director, Carrie Renee Hall, is one of the best in the business.”

The internship allows Potes the opportunity to be accepted into the Orange County Register’s new trainee program, which offers a six-month position at higher pay.

Potes worked as a staff photographer and photo editor for the Daily Kent Stater for three years, starting as a photo stringer freshman year. She also worked as a general assignment and photo spread photographer for Fusion magazine.