February 19, 2018

Media Advisory – High School Journalism Conference

Approximately 300 high school students from 16 schools in the region will attend the 67th annual Southern Illinois School Press Association Winter Conference, hosted by the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Journalism, on Feb. 21. 

The conference is from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Student Center ballrooms and various river rooms. 

Bridget Lescelius, a lecturer in the School of Journalism, will give the keynote address shortly after 9 a.m. The on-site contests and workshop sessions are from 9:40 to 11:10 a.m., with a closing assembly and awards presentations from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. 

Reporters, photographers and news crews are invited to attend. School of Journalism instructors will be conducting and coordinating the various conference events. 

Attendees and organizers will be available for interviews, including:

  • Professor and interim director Kavita Karan
  • Professors William Babcock and Bill Freivogel
  • Assistant professor Dong Han
  • Senior lecturers Bill Recktenwald and Phil Greer
  • Media students
  • High school advisers,
  • Cathy Wall, who teaches English and journalism at Harrisburg High School and SISPA director
  • High school students 

The students will participate in various journalism and advertising-related contests, giving students the opportunity to put their writing and creative skills to test and get a boost into the multimedia profession. The School of Journalism is organizing 14 contests and eight workshops for students and respective high school yearbook editorial teams. 

Workshop topics include:

  • Capturing moments in photojournalism
  • How to take good pictures
  • How to find what you need on the web
  • InDesign alternatives
  • Media ethics and law. 

The on-site contests that students will compete include:

  • Advertising design
  • Infographics
  • Editorial cartooning
  • Editing
  • News writing-live interview
  • Photography and yearbook theme development 

Students winning these contests will receive awards and certificates at the end of the program. 

For more information on the conference, contact the School of Journalism at kavitak@siu.edu or 618/453-4308.