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2018 State Convention Feb. 9-10
TRUTH IS AN EVERLASTING FLAME
Key:
Schedule FRIDAY FEB. 9 7:30 A.M. 8:30 A.M. 9:30 - 11 A.M. 9:30 A.M. 10:30 A.M. 11:30 A.M. 12:30 P.M. 1:30 P.M. 2:30 P.M. 3:30 P.M.
REGISTRATION WELCOME AND KEYNOTE ON-SITE COMPETITIONS SESSION 1 SESSION 2 LUNCH ON YOUR OWN SESSION 3 SESSION 4 SESSION 5 CLOSING AWARDS CEREMONY
Advisers only
SATURDAY FEB. 10 9 A.M. - 12 P.M. HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS
FRIDAY KICKOFF IN FERGUSON BALLROOM 8:30 A.M. Welcome Meredith Cummings, MJE Director, Alabama Scholastic Press Association Dr. Cory Armstrong Department Chair, Journalism & Creative Media
Keynote
8:30 A.M. Ken Schwencke, ProPublica Ken Schwencke is a journalist and developer on ProPublica's news apps team, covering hate crimes and election administration. Previously, he worked on The New York Times’ interactive news team and the Los Angeles Times data desk.
ON-SITE COMPETITIONS
9:30 A.M. 11:30 A.M.
Don't forget to register for the on-site competitions when you register at 7:30 a.m. outside the ferguson Ballroom! Yearbook Copy, Caption Writing News Writing Feature Writing Sports Writing Editorial Writing Editorial Cartooning Broadcast Stand-Up Newscast (Anchor) Sportscast (Anchor) Yearbook Layout Newspaper Layout Literary Magazine Layout Photography Literary Magazine Poetry Literary Magazine Fiction Literary Magazine Illustration
Ballroom Ballroom Room 3115 Room 3115 Ballroom Ballroom Ballroom Back of ballroom Back of ballroom Registration table Registration table Registration table Instructions in packet Ballroom Ballroom Ballroom
Session 1
9:30 A.M.
Confessions of a fontaholic, led by Lynn Strause, Room 3700
With thousands of fonts available for use in our publications, it’s easy to become a font fanatic. Learn how to make the most of your fonts to strengthen your designs and how to avoid font faux pas. Check out the seven-step program to cure your font additions. Breaking into the business, led by Elizabeth Lane, Room 3104 How do you get that first internship or job? While you're in high school there is plenty you can do to get ready. From getting your reel ready to on-camera presentation, Lane, a former ASPA participant, will show students what she wishes she had known. Improving your interviewing skills, led by Kayla Hamlett, Room 3114 How to talk to anyone about anything across media, and how to get the best answers for your viewers and readers.
Get that shot!, led by Morgan Kendrick, Room 3107
When starting out in photography, it’s hard to know how to ask the right questions. This session will help you make sense of today’s photography landscape and know what equipment you will need, as well as how to build a strong portfolio.
Art and breaking the social contract, led by Renee Quaife and Abi Kunkle, Room 3108
This session is not about censorship. It is about when creativity challenges societal norms. Learn about how to have a candid conversation with your staff about pieces that should be included in your magazine, and some that should not.
Session 2
10:30 A.M.
Let’s Make it Better!, led by Elizabeth Lane, Room 3104 Our session leader, Elizabeth Lane from abc 33/40, will constructively critique student broadcast work to help make the products better. Designing for maximum coverage, led by Lynn Strause, Room 3700
What’s the hot trend that every staff should work toward? More coverage. See how yearbooks use module design and incorporate alternative copy formats to effectively expand beyond the traditional copy block, giving their readers more information, more angles and more appeal.
Elements of a good broadcast story, led by Lesley Bruinton, Room 3114
Finding interesting footage to help tell your story is a challenge for every television journalist. This session will focus on what works best visually and how to improve your reporting skills to help you capture winning video.
Think fast!, led by Dr. Dianne Bragg, Room 3107
This session will help students learn to find story ideas quickly, and brainstorm about what engages readers.
Sports radio, led by Marquis Munson, Room 3103
Is your school covering sports events? Then why not put them on the radio or create a podcast? This session will get you started with the basics of radio broadcast from the executive producer of “The Game” with Ryan Fowler.
ASPA Board meeting, led by Meredith Cummings, MJE and ASPA President Renee Quaife, Room 3125 Anderson Room
The annual State Convention meeting for the ASPA board. All advisers are welcome and encouraged to attend. New officers will be elected.
Blast from the past, led by Emmett Christolear, Room 3108
A
Every journal staff has their own style and rhythm that influences an issue. Learn how to honor the past while making your own style and mark on the design and layout of your literary publication.
Lunch on your own
11:30 A.M.
@ALASPA @AlabamaSPA alabama scholastic press association
ASPA.UA.EDU
Post to Social Media with
#ASPA2018
#PASSTHETORCH
Session 3
12:30 p.m.
Writing reviews (by way of comic books), led by Dr. Will Nevin, a.k.a That Comic Book Guy, Room 3519
Do you like comic books? Do you think you could write reviews of movies or television shows? In this session, Dr. Will Nevin will talk about his work as a comics journalist, including his experience interviewing creators and what it takes to write a good review.
Passing the Torch, led by Rebecca Griesbach and Savannah Bullard, Room 3107
What happens when there's no one left to run the student publication/media? Two former editors will discuss ways they "passed the torch" to younger leaders, to give them the tools to keep a paper alive.
The power of photography, led by Lane Stafford, Room 3115
They say a photo is worth 1,000 words. Learn how to ensure that your photos are telling the best and most powerful stories. In this session, Lane will teach composition tips and tricks as well as technical skills.
Coverage That Counts, led by Lynn Strause, Room 3700
Better coverage should be the goal of every yearbook staff. See examples of all kinds of ideas for including more stories — and more people — in the book, by exploring different formats and methods of organization. Make it a book they want to buy now and look at for years to come.
On-camera presentation, led by Mike Royer, Room 3104
A veteran TV reporter and anchor will help attendees learn how to be their best during on-camera presentation, whether at a desk or in the field.
Lit mag session here, led by Brian Oliu, Room 3108
Want to fine tune your lit mag skills? Let’s talk about the aesthetics of your book (and make a fun journal while we are at it).
Session 4
1:30 P.M.
Writing effective dialogue, led by Laura Hunter, Room 3108
In this session, we will look at dialogue that engages your reader as well as dialogue that diverts. We will discuss the time and place for dialogue tags and the need for adding action (or not) within the dialogue.
Media law 101, led by Dr. Matt Bunker, Room 3110
What you should know about student press law. Don’t wait until you need to know. Be armed with the information you need now.
Multimedia madness!, led by Morgan Kendrick Room 3104
Are you looking for ways to integrate more multimedia into your media? This session will show you how to use video, audio, interactive graphics, infographics, maps, slideshows, timelines and more to tell compelling stories.
Session 4 CONT.
1:30 P.M.
How to score great sport stories, led by Marq Burnett, Room 3107
Want to have Olympic-sized coverage? Start here. A seasoned sports reporter (formerly of The New York Times and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) will help you take your sports coverage all the way to the medal stand.
Managing the media classroom, led by Erin Coggins, Room 3106
Getting organized is a challenge for new advisers. An experienced adviser will provide a framework for developing your media classroom, starting with brainstorming story ideas through producing or printing.
Session 5
2:30 P.M.
Submitting your work for publication, led by Laura Hunter, Room 3108
This session will explain practical, professional methods for submitting your works so you do not kill the chances of publication before the editor reads your submission.
Stop mumbling and find your voice, led by Lynn Strause, Room 3700
To tell the story of the whole year, you need a strong voice. Find out how color, fonts, design style and, of course, words work together to create that distinct voice for your yearbook, starting with the cover design and opening copy.
Do @ us for social media coverage, led by Emmie Howell, Room 3103
Get a social media presence at your school. Do @ this session for tips on producing engaging, interesting social media coverage of an event. From a talent show to a track meet, see examples of how to take your reader to an event. We’ll even do a little hands-on work.
Getting your publication online, led by Erin Coggins, MJE, Room 3111
What is convergence and why is it happening? Is it important for you to have your publication online? If so, when and how? The adviser for Alabama’s first online school media publication, Erin Coggins, will lead this session for advisers and students.
Typography, led by Amy Sullivan, Room 3115
Typography can make or break your publication. Learn the basic rules of typography and how you can communicate visually with your readers.
Go for the gold!, led by Alex House, Room 3104
Go for the gold and take your stories from blah to wow. This session will focus on alternative methods, such as graphics and social media, to make a your stories more interesting across platforms.
AWARDS AT FERGUSON THEATER EMCEE: DR. CHRIS ROBERTS
3:30 P.M.
saturday feb. 10
9 A.M. REESE PHIFER 12 P.M.
ASPA will take a workshop approach to Saturday’s sessions. We will email you to find out specifics about what your team needs to learn and will make sure you go home with the tools you need! Hands-on workshops are offered Saturday.
The Journalism Education Association has scheduled Scholastic Journalism Week for Feb. 18-24, 2018. How you help promote this week is entirely up to you. It is hoped that your involvement and that of your students will serve to raise community consciousness regarding the benefits of scholastic journalism. Your students will learn from both the promotion and their celebration of an event holding major significance for them. This year’s theme, “Student Choice, Student Voice,” is all about the student free press as an open forum for free expression run by students, for students. For ideas, visit JEA’s Scholastic Journalism Week page on jea.org and check out last year’s Scholastic Journalism Week Facebook page. Follow Scholastic Journalism Week on Twitter @ScholasticJWeek / Hashtag #SJW2018
Denotes a former ASPA student. Thank you for
passing the torch!
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Session Leaders
Dr. Dianne Bragg is an assistant professor in the Journalism and Creative Media Department at The University of Alabama. She holds a PhD in mass communication, with a concentration in history, and an MA in journalism. Dr. Bragg teaches several classes including Mass Communication Law and Journalism History. She serves in leadership positions with several academic organizations, and is the current president of the American Journalism Historians Association.
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Marq Burnett has covered Alabama athletics since his days as a student at the University of Alabama. Marq graduated from Alabama in 2013 with his bachelors in Journalism. During his time at Alabama, he worked for the Crimson White (student paper), the Tuscaloosa News, the Birmingham News, the New York Times and the Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Prior to joining the SEC Country full-time in March 2016, Marq served as the Alabama beat writer for the Anniston Star.
Emmett Christolear is a graduate of the University of Alabama in Birmingham, where he served as a student editor for Aura Literary Arts Review. For the past two summers, he has taught magazine production at the Ada Long Creative Writing Workshop for high school students hosted by UAB.
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Lesley Bruinton can usually be found brainstorming and selling a big idea, much to the chagrin of those around her who know it will be a lot of work, but a lot of fun! Her ideas come as quickly as her rapid-fire typing skills. Bruinton is an Accredited in Public Relations practitioner with more than 15 years experience in TV journalism and public relations. Her work has been recognized at the state, regional and national levels. She currently works as the public relations coordinator for the Tuscaloosa City Schools.
Savannah Bullard is a rising junior at the University of Alabama. She is a journalism and art student, pursuing a career in environmental journalism and graphic design. She is a scholastic journalism veteran who won numerous awards in different areas of news media throughout her career, including ASPA’s 2016 Rick Bragg Award for Feature Writing. She spends her days reading good books, saving the bees and cuddling with her cat, Cleo.
Dr. Matthew Bunker is the Reese Phifer Professor of Journalism at the University of Alabama. Bunker teaches and does research in the area of media law and policy. His research interests include First Amendment law and intellectual property. He is the author of the book “Critiquing Free Speech: First Amendment Theory and the Challenge of Interdisciplinarity” and numerous academic articles in such journals as Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, Columbia Journal of Law and the Arts, William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, and the Duke Law and Technology Review.
Meredith Cummings, MJE, has over 20 years of experience in print,
web and multimedia reporting. She is immediate past president of Alabama Media Professionals and the Society of Professional Journalists Alabama Professional Chapter. She advises the Capstone Association of Black Journalists. She is a member of SPJ’s Journalism Education Committee and is lead organizer for TEDxTuscaloosa. In 2017, Cummings won first place in the personal blog category in the National Federation of Press Women contest and second place for opinion writing. She currently writes a blog for al.com and medium.com. Cummings supervises Editing and Digital production for UA's Department of Journalism and Creative Media in the WVUA-TV newsroom, a professional commercial TV station. In 2014, she was awarded the James Frederick Paschal Award, given by the Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association, that honors state or regional school press association officials who have distinguished themselves in the field.
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Erin Coggins, MJE, has advised the award-winning Sparkman High School journalism program for 16 years. She has been recognized by ASPA, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund and Columbia Scholastic Press Association. She is currently the social media editor for the Journalism Education Association and serves on the Southeastern Interscholastic Press Association's executive board and endowment committee. She served as ASPA's Adviser Board President for seven years. She is currently working on getting a New Voices bill in the state legislation.
Rebecca Griesbach is a sophomore at the University of Alabama studying Journalism and African American Studies. Rebecca has been writing, photographing, designing and editing news for five years and was named ASPA's Journalist of the Year in 2016 for her coverage of school segregation and other sensitive topics. Now, Rebecca works as a designer for the Crimson White and as a number cruncher (aka data journalist) for OpenElections, a free, election result database for designed for journalists.
Kayla Hamlett is a Junior at The University of Alabama majoring in Journalism and Creative Media and minoring in Communication studies. A daily quote she lives by states you have to believe in something with such a passion that it then becomes your reality. She applies this quote to everything that she does, and this is her driving force to succeed. She is involved on campus as an Ambassador for the College of Communication and Information sciences where she is Social Chair for the orgaization. She is a member of the Radio Television Digital News Association, an intern for the news stations WVUA 23 and ABC 33/40, and also a part of many other organizations. She also serves as the face and reporter for the NIYC which is a National Inspirational Youth Conference that is held every year in a different state. Her dream goal is to land a job at a reputable news organization such as CNN or Good Morning America. Alex House has a B.A. in visual journalism from The University of Alabama. She is the City of Tuscaloosa’s communications specialist where she runs their social media and creates the majority of their graphics and animations. House got her start in high school attending every ASPA event she could. She’s the proud mommy of her dog, Buzz Lightyear.
Emmie Howell is a junior at the University of Alabama, where she is majoring in Journalism and minoring in Food and Nutrition. Emmie works as a brand manager for a marketing firm called Tanner Media, where she manages social media accounts and marketing for several local businesses. She is also a social media director and manager at a catering company, Miss Daisy's Kitchen, in her hometown of Franklin, Tennessee. After she graduates, she plans to buy Miss Daisy's Kitchen and grow the business in Nashville. Emmie is passionate about growing businesses by utilizing consumer interaction through social media and internet platforms.
Raised in Alabama hill country on a “toenail of the Appalachians,” Laura Hunter now lives near Tuscaloosa. She has published 16 award-winning fiction pieces, nine poems and numerous freelance articles. She has a collection of Southern short stories built around the fictional community of Copeland’s Crossing, Alabama and a magical realism novel set in the early to mid-20th century Appalachians. Her novel, "Beloved Mother", is under contract with Bluewater Publications. Her work in progress is a novel about actual experimentation on and sterilization of young Black females in mid20th century Alabama.
Morgan Kendrick is a Tuscaloosa native who graduated in 2010 from American Christian Academy. Her interest in multimedia lead her to the University of Alabama, where she earned a degree in media production. After graduation, Morgan continued a part-time job as a Production Assistant, filming lectures and creating promotional videos on campus. Morgan was hired full-time, as a Coordinator of Videography Services at the Center for Advanced Public Safety at UA. She shows her passion for videography by flying her drone and sharing her talents with her family and friends. She is very thankful for those who have guided her in her career and continues to find more opportunities to serve others around her.
Abi Kunkle is a senior at Sparkman High School in Harvest, Ala. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Sparkman's Literary Magazine, Silhouette. This is her third year on staff, having served as Poetry Editor and Digital Editor. Abi is attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville in the fall.
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Elizabeth Lane is a Reporter and Multimedia Journalist at Alabama’s News Leader, ABC 33/40. Born and raised in Orlando, Florida, she graduated from The University of Alabama with a B.A. in Communication and Information Sciences and a minor in Political Science. Previously, she served as the weekend anchor and lead nightside reporter at KAMC News in Lubbock, Texas. During her time in Lubbock, Elizabeth was first to break the story that made national headlines when a Texas Tech student allegedly shot and killed a campus police officer. Her reporting was featured on HLN's Primetime Justice. Before beginning her news career, she completed a fellowship in the Press Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, working closely with the press team in response to the tragic Dallas Police shooting. While Elizabeth is proud of her achievements thus far, she focuses on giving back to the community as a spokesperson and wish granter for Make A Wish. Have a story idea or just want to say hi? Email Elizabeth Lane at elizabeth@abc3340.com or find her on Twitter @elizabethlanetv.
Marquis Munson, originally from southern California, moved to Tuscaloosa when he was 13 and graduated from Paul W. Bryant High School. After high school, he attended Shelton State Community College, where he did play-by-play for the women's and men's basketball teams. After graduating from Shelton State in May 2014, Marquis decided to finish his degree at the University of Alabama. He worked for the student radio station, 90.7 the Capstone. Marquis also did play-by-play for both of Alabama's basketball programs and wrote for the student newspaper, the Crimson White, on their sports staff. He also interned with Alabama Public Radio, The Tuscaloosa News and Tide 102.9. He graduated from Alabama in May 2016 with a degree in journalism with a concentration in sports news and information. Now, he is the executive producer for 'The Game' with Ryan Fowler. By day, Dr. Will Nevin teaches journalism courses in the College of Communication and Information Sciences and specializes in the First Amendment and media law. By night (and mornings and afternoons too), he writes about comic books for Advance Media and has interviewed professionals from DC, Marvel and many other publishers. His “Wednesday Warriors” and “Tomorrow’s Books Today” columns can be found at oregonlive.com and al.com. He was editor of The Catalyst, the Alabama School for Math and Science newspaper in high school.
Brian Oliu is an Instructor of English and Creative Writing at the University of Alabama. He is also the Director of Slash Pine Press, an undergraduate internship where students organize literary events around Tuscaloosa as well as design and edit chapbooks from a national call for submissions. He is the author of four full-length books and six chapbooks, with subjects ranging from Craigslist Missed Connections, to 8-bit videogames, to dragons, to computer viruses, to NBA Jam.
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Renee Quaife is the adviser of Silhouette, the literary magazine at Sparkman High School in Harvest, Ala. RenĂŠe has been at Sparkman since 2005. This year is her 10th year advising the literary magazine. In additional to advising the lit mag, Quaife also is the co-instructor for Spark Industry Robotics, Sparkman's competition robotics team. Quaife also teaches English 10 and Creative Writing. Quaife lives in Madison, Ala. with her husband and their two children. Writing, traveling and reading are her passions, in that order.
Dr. Chris Roberts was student president of ASPA in 1982-83, when the organization was the Alabama High School Press Association and had student presidents. He worked in radio and sportswriting when he was in high school and at the University of Alabama, and then was a reporter and editor at newspapers in Alabama and South Carolina. He earned a doctoral degree in 2007 from the University of South Carolina, and since 2008 has been a professor at Alabama. His specialty is media ethics; he helped revise the Society of Professional Journalists code of ethics in 2014 and is the coauthor of Doing Ethics in Media: Theories and Practical Applications.
Mike Royer is the Managing Editor at WVUA23, the University of Alabama-owned and operated television station located in Bryant-Denny Stadium on the University of Alabama campus in Tuscaloosa. He also is an instructor in the University of Alabama School of Communications. In June of 2015, Mike Royer completed 40 years in broadcast television. Mike worked for 5 years at WTWO-TV in Terre Haute Indiana and then for 35 years in Birmingham, first at WBRC-TV and then WVTM-TV. Mike was born and raised on a family farm in west-central Indiana. He graduated in 1975 from Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga. He served for 8 years in the Indiana and Tennessee Air National Guard. Mike was selected as the Indiana broadcaster of the year in 1978, and was named Alabama's Best Television Meteorologist 5 times by the Associated Press. Mike anchored Emmy award winning newscast and received the Edward R. Murrow award for broadcast excellence. For 20 years, Mike produced a weekly featured called The Spirit of Alabama. Mike is a member of the board of directors of the American Cancer Society, the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind. Mike is married to his wife Amy. They have two sons, Jack a senior at the University of Alabama and a reporter for WIAT CBS 42, and Will a 19 year old sophomore at Birmingham-Southern.
Lane Stafford received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama where she studied Journalism and is now pursuing her master’s degree. Lane is currently a graduate assistant and visual media editor for Vida Magazine. She was a photographer for UA's Service Learning Magazine and the seventh issue of Alpine Living, an award-winning, student-produced, travel magazine. Lane had the honor of being named the University's Outstanding Visual Journalism Student for 2016-2017. She has also worked for the Crimson White, Alice Magazine and The Tuscaloosa News. Lane has a passion for travel and visual media. She traveled to New Zealand with Alpine Living and took photography courses in London during the summer of 2016. Her dream job would take her around the world and she can’t wait to visit Costa Rica with Vida in March. Lynn Strause advised 30 yearbooks before retiring, the last 13 at East Lansing (MI) High School. Strause continues to teach workshops, speak and judge for national, regional and state organizations. She was named Michigan’s Adviser of the Year, JEA National Yearbook Adviser of the Year, received a CSPA Gold Key, NSPA's Pioneer Award and JEA's Lifetime Achievement Award. She works as a yearbook consultant.
Amy Sullivan is a second-year master's student at The University of Alabama studying journalism. She also received her bachelor's degree in Visual Journalism at UA. In 2015, she was recognized by the College of Communication and Information Sciences with the Most Outstanding Visual Journalist Award. The following year, she was named a finalist for the Mark of Excellence Award in the General News Photography (Large School - 10,000+) category in Region 3 of the Society of Professional Journalists. This is Amy's third year facilitating workshops with ASPA. Previous topics she has discussed include how to create a photo story, framing, and the Rule of Thirds.
Mark your calendar! ASPA's summer camp the long weekend:
Multicultural Journalsim Workshop:
june 8-10
june 8-16
aspa.ua.edu/events
THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS! Patrons Alabama Press Association Alabama Broadcasters Association Herff Jones Walsworth
Supporters Dean Mark Nelson and the C&IS Dean’s Office Dr. Cory Armstrong and the Department of Journalism and Creative Media Sue Givens Crechale Stevens Diane Shaddix Department of Advertising and Public Relations Department of Communication Studies Steve Diorio and the staff of WVUA-TV 23 Paul Wright, Mark Mayfield and the Office of Student Media Miller Fitts Isabel Hope Andrea Matei Caitlyn McTier Lauren Meadows Nayeli Pineda Kate Risk Destiny Tubbs All of our wonderful session leaders!
THANK YOU TO OUR ASPA BOARD MEMBERS Renee Quaife: President, Sparkman High School, Harvest Capri Day: Vice President, Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa Barbara Bateman: Secretary, Murphy High School, Mobile
Members at Large Birmingham: Connie Nolen, Pelham High School Montgomery: Gina Aaij, LAMP High School Mobile: Lindsey Koen, McGill-Toolen Catholic High School Huntsville: Michelle Sisson, Lee High School Auburn: Beth Antoine, Auburn High School Director, Meredith Cummings Program Assistant and Program Designer, Lane Stafford Director Emeritus, Marie Parsons