Sixteen students ranging from sophomores to seniors traveled to Nashville, Tennessee for the JEA/NSPA Fall National Journalism Convention from November 13-15. They joined the more than 5,000 high school students who attended the national convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.
The students in attendance were: Will Nolan (12), Austin Koehnemann (12), Mason Molitor (12), Ella Quinney (12), Meghan Lynch (12), Colt Archer (11), MaryKate Stroud (11), Emily Griffith (11), Kenzie McCabe (11), Ellie Simon (11), Aubrey McClelland (11), Kelsey Altrup (10), Kirsten Pinkham (10), Sophia McCormack (10), Sophie Bernth (10), and Kay Cooper (10).
“I’ve been on a lot of these trips, and I think this one was special because of the people who went, and they all got along so well and became closer as a group,” publications adviser Jonathan Hall said.
Since this was only a two-day trip, students did not get to do as much sightseeing as they would in most publications trips.
“Even though we didn’t have a lot of time to go out and see the city and everything, I think my favorite part was, since we were in a big hotel, just going around with our group, playing games, having fun, and hanging out with everyone,” Nolan said. “Just the community that it brought.”
While at the convention, students got to go to different sessions, critiques, workshops, and competitions.
There was also a trade show going on at the convention, and students were able to talk to different colleges and brands while there.
Four students also hosted their own sessions while at the convention. Nolan hosted a session on broadcasting sports games, Stroud hosted a session on photography, and Quinney and Lynch hosted a session on magazine. Many students and teachers showed up to these students sessions.
“I think it was a really good team bonding experience. It was very fun and it wasn’t too chaotic like I thought it would be,” McClelland said.
Besides going to sessions and different learning opportunities, students also attended an award show Saturday night before leaving. While at the award show, it was announced that last year’s yearbook took eighth place in the National Scholastic Press Association’s Best of Show in its large-school category.
