Eyes heavy with sleep, six OH journalism students smiled Sunday night as they reflected on the benefits of their past four days’ travel in Philadelphia for the Journalism Education Association (JEA) and National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) convention.
“I loved every bit of this trip,” Reflector yearbook student and junior Liam Piekarczyk said last night while boarding the plane to fly back to Chicago. “With the convention and the sessions, I learned more about what I want to do [with my career]. From how to write a better yearbook copy and caption to leading a staff or even just making our environment more comfortable, I have a lot I want to bring home [to my team].”
While in Philadelphia for the convention with thousands of other student journalists from around the globe, OH journalists had an opportunity to network. “My favorite part was meeting new people,” senior and 42Fifty Entertainment Editor Gavin Dolan said.
“My favorite session was this one about how conduct better interviews. I talked with a student from San Antonio, TX, as a practice for the session it was really interesting,” he said.
Senior 42Fifty News Editor Chayse White also noted sessions that increased her journalism skills. “I loved being in the community… it taught me so much. Getting to go to the sessions about the election really helped me with writing news articles and their structure.”
Students attended a variety of sessions during the day on Fri., Nov. 8, and Sat., Nov. 9, at the Marriott Convention Center in downtown Philladelphia. Many sessions were led by professional journalists and journalism professors; others were held by high school journalism teachers and advisers. All sessions provided attendees with opportunities to network and learn from presenters and one another.
42Fifty’s Socials Co-Editor and senior Skye Weaver enjoyed this networking aspect of the convention, adding the benefit of learning from industry professionals. “I feel like I gained a solid network of student journalists that I can work with an know. I feel assured that my future path is sound after talking with journalists who were once in my shoes.”
Senior Reflector yearbook Editor-in-Chief Elayna Soyke echoed Weaver’s sentiments about the educational trip, highlighting the events outside the convention as equally valuable to her experience. “We saw so many sights that were just unforgettable. I loved the fact that we got to sightsee and learn so many historic facts about the city. Shout out to the teachers who made this possible and gave so many unique experiences.”
The group, chaperoned by 42Fifty adviser Amy Howerton and Reflector adviser Ewa Tulak, took a walking tour of the historic district in Philadelphia which included the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Love Park, Benjamin Franklin’s grave site, Christ Church, the “Rocky” steps outside Philadelphia’s art museum, and sites relevant to America’s Revolutionary history. One evening, the group enjoyed a ghost tour and pizza party.
“This JEA journalism trip has definitely helped set my career path,” said senior Reflector editor and 42Fifty reporter Madi Gilio. “This was something I never knew I needed, [but I have] a huge passion for journalism and broadcasting [and it] changed my perspective on so much. Being able to talk to journalists one-on-one and with other passionate students [about] journalism was unforgettable.”
The OH journalism program proposes to attend the JEA/NSPA national convention each fall. Next fall’s convention is in Nashville, TN.
42Fifty is the student media Publication of Oswego High School, Oswego, IL. Stories attributed to 42Fifty are written by editorial staff, or in the case of staff editorial, reflect a quorum of the student staff's ideas and opinions. To learn more about the 42Fifty staff, please see the About or Our Staff page on the website.
