Idea File Fall 2023

32 | Feature: Advisers Supporting Student Journalists

As a member, not only will you as an adviser have access to a curriculum and resources that will enhance your students’ media-related knowledge and skills, but it will also allow your students to compete at the national JEA/NSPA fall and spring conventions. At these conventions, students compete in National Student Media Contests in areas of writing, theme, photography and graphic design, to name a few. Attend the 2023 Fall National High School Journalism Convention, which JEA and the National Scholastic Press Association put on, in Boston, Massachusetts, Nov. 2-5 if possible. You and your students can network with other yearbookers, compete in the

individual and publication contests, and learn in the specialized sessions with industry experts. JEA’s “Journalist of the Year Scholarship” begins at the state level. Once a state selects its winner, the state winner moves on to the national level, at which point judges review the students’ portfolios before the JEA/NSPA Spring Convention. They announce the winners at the closing ceremony. Because this scholarship begins at the state level, it is important to contact JEA State Directors for instructions on state competition submissions. NEVER STOP LEARNING Finally, as advisers who want to assist their students in improving their writing skills, encourage them to read good journalism every day. Young journalists FIRIƼX F] VIEHMRK E TVSJIWWMSREP writer’s engaging ledes, by their use of research to fully inform their readers and by the way they attribute their sources. A good place to start would be reading the 2023 Pulitzer Prize winners. Essentially, the opportunities for students to improve their journalism skills and participate in contests are only limited to one’s imagination. As Katina Paron commented: “Even if it doesn’t exist, doesn’t mean it can’t exist.” By 8MQSXL] 'EMR '.)

NARROW YOUR OPTIONS If you can only commit to one organization to support your students JSV ƼRERGMEP SV SXLIV VIEWSRW - LMKLP] recommend joining JEA (Journalism Education Association) . This national organization supports educators and students “by providing resources and educational opportunities, by promoting professionalism, by encouraging and rewarding student excellence and teacher achievement, and by fostering an atmosphere which encompasses diversity yet builds unity.” Arguably, JEA helps shape young people into creative, critical thinkers who know how to navigate the deluge of media with healthy skepticism and who have the tools to investigate and report a story.

If you plan to attend the Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Boston on Nov. 2-5, stop by the Walsworth Yearbooks booth. Browse yearbooks, meet with our journalism experts, connect with other yearbook advisers and staffs, take a 360° video, discover our educational resources and more! STOP BY OUR JEA BOOTH JEA

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