I met the next generation of journalism recently. It came in the form of a New Smyrna Beach High School 12th-grader whose drive and intelligence imply a future so bright I have to wear shades. At the request of my managing editor I took on the role of teacher last week when the high schooler asked if he could shadow a reporter for a day as part of a senior project.

My first impression of Shawn Lytle was pretty much as expected. A thin 18-year-old, whose bangs hung over one eye and suffered the curse of puberty -- acne. But this pudgy, middle-age newspaperman soon discovered this senior was inquisitive, communicative and attentive. For almost five hours Lytle turned the tables on the veteran journalist, asking questions, and more importantly listening to the answers, as we made our way from city hall to the local cop shops mining sources for scoops and stories.

Based on the welcome we received I might consider taking a shadow with me more often. New Smyrna Beach Interim City Manager Pam Brangaccio took a half-hour out of her day to explain on the relationship between the press and local government from her perspective. Officials at the District 5 sheriff's office and the New Smyrna Beach Police Department permitted us a glimpse into the world behind the security doors.

There weren't any major crimes or accidents to cover, so Lytle saw the routine rather than any felonious rowdiness. But there is more to journalism than blood and guts or political scandals. Soon it was time to head north to 6th Street where my charge was once again welcomed with open arms.

We toured the pressroom -- a first for me, too -- the newsroom and the photo department, while my young apprentice politely probed for information and soaked up the experience like a sponge. Here was a kid with that most important of all journalistic traits, a curious nature and the courage to pursue the facts beyond what is obvious. He sort of reminded me of me 30 years ago, but he was a lot more inquisitive than I was at that age.