ASPA News
A newsletter for media advisers and students Vol. 25, Issue 2 • Fall ‘12/Winter ‘13
This year, ‘Go Big or Go Home!’
State Convention to feature Dunaway, silent auction
“Go Big or Go Home!” is the theme for this year’s State Convention, suggested by the Faith Academy Rams from Mobile. So bring your BIG staff, your BIG enthusiasm and your BIG ideas to the University of Alabama campus Feb. 22-23. Register at aspa.ua.edu for the convention. (Registration will redirect you to SurveyMonkey, the tool
Online registration for State Convention, onsite and carry-in competitions is available at www.aspa.ua.edu.
ASPA uses for registramany other items. Also tion.) bring your newspapers, Jim Dunaway, from lit mags and yearbooks CBS42 in Birmingham, to share. We will have a will be our keynote speakswap table for staffs to er. Dunaway is a 20 year share their work. television veteran and also Don’t forget to bring the co-host of The Roundyour carry-in entries to table on JOX FM 94.5 State Convention! Jim Dunaway This is a way to assess from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. New to State Convention this your progress and have friendly year is a silent auction with funds competition with other school benefiting our JEA Mentoring pro- staffs. Complete carry-in guidegram for new advisers. Bring your lines are at aspa.ua.edu. pocketbooks – we have a Nick Saban autographed 2009 National CONVENTION Championship football, among continued on page 3
NEW! SILENT AUCTION! ASPA will host an ongoing silent auction in the ballroom Friday, Feb. 22. Students and teachers are invited to bid on items. All money collected will go to support ASPA’s mentoring program, which helps our students and teachers around the state throughout the school year. Meredith Cummings, ASPA Director, mccummings1@ua.edu Marie Parsons, Director Emeritus Tara Bullock, Program Assistant Dr. Jennifer Greer, UA Journalism Department Chair, jdgreer@ua.edu
Having trouble attending ASPA events? Check out our online guide: Why Conventions Matters, at aspa.ua.edu. Take it to your principal or administrator!
2011-12 ASPA Officers President, Melissa Dixon (Oak Mountain) Past President, Erin Coggins (Sparkman) Vice President, Connie Nolen (Pelham) Secretary, Nikki Minoso (Vestavia Hills)
Published by the University of Alabama Department of Journalism
ASPA News
Vol. 25, Issue 2 • Fall ‘12/Winter ‘13
Convention basics
State Convention will be held Feb. 22-23 at The University of Alabama. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Friday at Ferguson Center on campus. Sessions will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Lunch on your own will be from noon to 1 p.m. Sessions will resume from 1-5 p.m. The ASPA annual awards will be at 5:15 p.m on Friday. Saturday’s intensive, hands-on sessions will take place at Reese Phifer Hall from 9 a.m. to noon with optional tours in the afternoon. For more details and a full schedule, visit aspa.ua.edu. School buses can park in the Northeast Campus lot, located near the Rec Center. Go to aspa.ua.edu for a map, or download the University of Alabama app for a full interactive map.
This year, back by popular demand:
aBring your principal for free: Schools are encouraged to invite the principal to attend all or part of the convention. Check out our • online guide, Why Conventions Matter. aStudent-led sessions: No adults allowed, student-led sessions on how to work with your publication/broadcast staff (for editors and managers only) and how to make yourself heard in your newsroom. aSaturday’s hands-on sessions are set in the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences labs and feature hands-on and individual instruction. We have expanded our Saturday offerings even more this year! aBring your student newspapers, lit mags and yearbooks to share with other students and advisers! We will have a publication swap table in the ballroom for teachers and students to share their media. aMore carry-in contests! We have added more carry-in contest catgeories, including broadcast PSA. Check online for a list of categories, or simply register online. Carry-in rules are at aspa.ua.edu on the “Contest and Critiques” tab.
State Convention costs • $30 for Friday • $25 for Saturday’s intensive, hands-on labs. • Onsite competition: $10 per person (no multiple entries.) • Carry-in entries $5 per person (multiple entries OK). • Add $25 for ASPA membership (per staff) if not a member. • Late fee of $10 will apply to registration after Feb. 15.
Hotels Please visit the Tuscaloosa Convention and Visitors Bureau for a comprehensive listing of area hotels at http://www.tcvb. org/. Some area hotel numbers are below. The Hotel Capstone (http://www.hotelcapstone.com/) is the only hotel on campus but has limited space available the weekend of State Convention. The Hampton Inn on Harper Lee Drive (205) 553-9800 - $105 and Hotel Capstone (800-477-2262, http://www.hotelcapstone.com/) are on campus. Other hotels: • Holiday Inn Express (205) 464-4000 - $126 • Fairfield Inn (205) 366-0900 - $94 • Hilton Garden Inn (205) 722-0360 - $99
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE LONG WEEKEND! The Long Weeklend summer camp will be June 14-16 on the University of Alabama campus. Stay tuned to Facebook, Twitter and aspa.ua.edu for details.
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Vol. 25, Issue 2 • Fall ‘12/Winter ‘13
Unconventional tips on State Convention
By Mary Morrow The St. Clairion has been going to ASPA convention for five years. The first year we went, we really did not know what to expect so we arrived in Tuscaloosa with our staff shirts on and notebooks in hand. What we discovered was a group that celebrated journalism with our own familiar dedication and Mary Morrow and her yearbook staff at creativity. We were hooked, and 2012 State Convention. we’ve gone every year since. I now planning for ASPA’s 75th have the privilege to work with an anniversary. What do you bring to amazing staff. Their commitment, creativity and spirit always inspires convention? What will you bring this year? The following is a list me…yes, even during the dreaded of what we bring every year to deadlines. convention: At our school, yearbook is one • Smiles and laughter of its most visible, respected and • Enthusiasm, creativity and celebrated groups. Their confidence dedication and creativity naturally finds • School spirit and pride its way into whatever they do– • The willingness to learn new including convention. Just as we things are always trying to be creative and • A love for journalism innovative with our yearbook, we • Teamwork try to bring that to convention. • Staff T-shirts We have a philosophy about • Theme music: We like to plan convention. Yes, we are there to our walk in music and then we learn and grow, but we are also bring more songs for impromptu there to make new friends and dance parties in between sessions. most importantly, memories that • A mascot (We have used will last a lifetime. Our staff now flyswatters, cows and an alligator brings much more than a staff named Earl.) shirt and notebook. As I reflected • Props (Swatters, finger puppets, on those memories, the one thing shutter shades and ties.) that kept me smiling and laughing • Buzz words: One year we used was remembering some of the “Gaussian,” as in Gaussian blur “unconventional” convention in Photoshop, because we used things that we have done and are that effect throughout our yearbook
CONVENTION
continued from page 1 On-site competitions will also be held at State Convention. (You can register for those on the same form you use to register for convention.)
Onsite entries are $10 per student. Students may only compete in one onsite category because of the structure of the competition. Onsite instructions will be given at the Convention kickoff Friday morning. Onsite categories are: Editorial
that year. • Ice breakers: Last year we brought bead necklaces to pass out to people. We also selected seats scattered throughout the room so we would be encouraged to talk to other staffs. It’s always nice to find a fellow “yerd.” • Games for break times (Our favorite is ninja… if you see us playing it, feel free to join us.) • Another yearbook staff: This year we asked other staffs in our county to come to convention and we are so excited that our friends from Ragland are coming. What started out five years ago as a “let’s try it and see what happens” field trip has become one of the most treasured events of our year. Every year the staff looks forward to planning for ASPA convention. It really brings my staff together. Right now they are having so much fun planning shirts, music, slogans and icebreakers, and maybe a dance. It is a nice stress-relieving oasis in the midst of our current deadline. I speak for my staff when I say that we cannot wait to see you at convention, and you are always welcome to participate in some of our unconventional convention traditions. Morrow has been the adviser for the St. Clairion for 11 years. The St. Clairion has won awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, the Quill and Scroll Yearbook Excellence Contest, and ASPA.
writing, broadcast stand-up, newscast, sportscast, yearbook layout, newspaper layout, feature writing, news writing, yearbook copy and caption writing and sports writing. Students may not compete in onsite competitions if they are not registered.
ASPA News
Vol. 25, Issue 2 • Fall ‘12/Winter ‘13
A note from the Student Press Law Center Now that everyone has been back in session for at least a couple weeks and has had time to settle in, we just wanted to say hello and remind you that the Student Press Law Center is here to help with any concerns that may arise for your student journalists. We haven’t heard of very many issues going on at student publications at the high school level, which is great. But we want to make sure we aren’t missing anything and that everything is being properly documented and publicized.
If you have heard of any problems for student publications in your region, including FERPA issues, First Amendment violations, problems with public records requests, or anything else, please let us know and please feel free to pass our information on: Student Press Law Center (703) 807-1904 http://www.splc.org/
And check out and share some of our great online resources for high school journalists:
The SPLC Hazelwood Guide. This guide to the U.S. Supreme Court decision is must-reading for high school journalists and their advisers faced with censorship problems. (http://www.splc.org/ pdf/HazelwoodGuide.pdf) FERPA and Student Confidentiality. FERPA is often misused by school administrators and this legal research will tell you what FERPA is and when it actually can be applied. (http://www.splc. org/knowyourrights/legalresearch. asp?subcat=50)
ASPA’s new program assistant springs into action Tara Bullock is a graduate student at The University of Alabama, where she studies journalism. She also earned her undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in English and journalism from Alabama. Bullock is the program assistant for the Alabama Scholastic Press Association, as well as theNational Elementary Schools Press
Association’s program assistant. Through partnerships with UA, Bullock helps teach elementary school journalism classes twice a week. She is helping the Tuscaloosa Magent School put together their newspaper, The Magnet Express, and she’s teaching photography to The Oakdale Eagle’s staff
at Oakdale Elementary School. She enjoys sharing her passion for writing with children and is excited to help NESPA continue to grow.
Tara Bullock
SPJ sponsors national high school essay contest The Society of Professional Journalists wants to increase high school students’ knowledge and understanding of the importance of independent media to our lives. National winners of this essay contest receive scholarship awards. The deadline is March 7. Who is eligible? All students enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in U.S. public, private and home schools within the United States. Students must submit original work and have a sponsoring teacher sign the contest entry form. Format The essay should be 300-500 words and must in-
clude an entry form. Entries may be typed or handwritten but must be double-spaced. Entry Fee Each submission to the High School Essay contest must be accompanied by a $5 entry fee. Entrants may pay by check or credit card and should indicate the preferred payment option on the entry form. Checks should be made out to the Society of Professional Journalists. Entries submitted without the required entry fee will be disqualified. For more information go to http://www.spj.org/a-hs. asp.
ASPA News
Vol. 25, Issue 2 • Fall ‘12/Winter ‘13
JEA’s student program has many benefits
By Alex Houser whole lot of stress. And I’m moving on. I’ve made it my job to After four years of show my school the devoting myself to The opportunity it is on the Northridge Reporter, the inside. time has come for me So when I came across to give up the seniority JEA’s new student proand comfort of the high gram, “j,” I knew that school kiddie pool and was my answer. Alex Houser immerse myself in the j has so many benefits, larger pond that is college. not only for people curIt’s a scary thought. rently in a journalism program at I’m not sure what will happen their school, but for anyone with to the paper after I leave. Will it an interest in pursuing a journalcontinue to thrive? Or will the lack ism career. Members get exclusive of student interest bring the paper access to “hangout” with profesto an end. sionals, scholarships and special After all, there’s only one freshdistinctions to colleges. man on my staff this year. And To me, it seemed like a great only four of us returned from a way for someone to get a foot in class of 21. the door. I don’t know where I’m going to That’s when I decided I would college, whether I want to double open up j to everyone in our major or what I’ll be eating for school, not just those in journalism. lunch tomorrow. But I do know Now, it’s just getting started. that I have to make the initiative We’ve only had one get now to help the journalism protogether, and it was an interest gram thrive here at Northridge for meeting. There was a great turnout, years to come. not only from those currently in I get it. Why join a class where journalism, but from others that writing assignments will multiply might be interested. and there’s always something due? And I have big things planned For me, it’s passion. And a little for the future. bit of crazy. Our next few meetings my staff The point is, on the outside, a and I will be teaching the basics of journalism class just seems like a journalism such as ethics, AP style
and the ins and outs of InDesign and Photoshop. Then the fun begins. Each meeting after will consist of contests and challenges to get the members excited about writing, photography and design. Write-offs, photo scavenger hunts and who-can-design-themost-appealing-page-with-onlythe-elements-given competitions will make the learning fun and rewarding (plus the candy prizes will bring out competition in even the shyest of members). This is it. This is my contribution to The Northridge Reporter. This is my effort to keep people excited about writing. But it can’t end there. I want all members of ASPA to join this amazing experience. I want them to share the benefits of scholastic journalism with others in their school and to show everyone else how amazing the students of Alabama are. This is our chance. So let’s take it. Visit JeaJ.org to get started. Houser is the Editor of The Northridge Reporter at Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa.
Teachers of seniors: Please note that the national journalist of the year (JOY) requirements have changed. ASPA bases our guidelines on the JOY guideleines, so please check carefully next year, as they will change slightly.
ASPA News
Vol. 25, Issue 2 • Fall ‘12/Winter ‘13
Calling all seniors and advisers: We have scholarships for budding scholastic journalists!
photography, design or production. The Alabama Journalist of the Year will represent the state in the national Journalism Education Association contest during the spring national JEA/NSPA convention.
ASPA to honor three outstanding seniors at State Convention
ASPA will give three $250 awards in February for Alabama high school seniors who work with scholastic media of any type. Seniors can compete to be named overall journalist of the year, the state’s top scholastic feature writer and the state’s top editorial or opinion writer. Seniors can apply for one, two or three of the awards with a single portfolio. To be considered for the awards, seniors must have at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and have participated in high school journalism for at least a year. Applicants may be involved in any media activity – newspapers, yearbooks, literary magazines, other magazines, broadcasting and Web-based journalism. Award winners will be announced at the ASPA State Convention in Tuscaloosa (Feb. 22-23). Winning work will be featured on the ASPA website. The competitions are as follows: Journalist of the Year This award recognizes the most outstanding graduating scholastic journalist. Journalists will submit five examples of their best work that demonstrate the quality and diversity of reporting, writing,
How to apply It’s easy to enter! Applicants submit one portfolio to apply for any or all of the three awards. The portfolio should include a completed entry form, a transcript, the number of work samples indicated above for each award, three letters of recommendation, and a selfanalytical evaluation of the student’s “journalistic life,” using his or her most creative form. See full details at www.aspa.ua.edu under the “Contests” tab. The deadline is Jan. 31 for all award entries.
Rick Bragg Award for Feature Writing The award will be given to the senior who has demonstrated excellence in feature writing throughout his or her high-school career. To enter, a student will include at least three examples of feature writing. Rick Bragg is a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for his work at The New York Times and a professor in UA’s Department of Journalism. Awarded by the Alabama Press He is a recipient of the Clarence Association: Cason Award, the Department of Journalism’s annual prize for J.B. Stevenson Scholarship nonfiction. The portfolios of the winners of these awards will be submitted Bailey Thomson Award for to the APA for consideration Editorial Writing for a scholarship. The Alabama The award will be given to Press Association honors the late the senior who has demonstrated J.B. Stevenson, the son of John excellence in editorial or opinion Stevenson, publisher and editor of writing. To enter, the student’s The Randolph Leader in Roanoke, portfolio should include at least Ala. J.B. Stevenson made a lasting three examples of editorial or impression on the journalism opinion writing. community while in middle school The late Bailey Thomson was and high school. The Alabama Press a prize-winning editorial writer Association Journalism Foundation for the Mobile Press-Register and will award this $2,500 college a professor of journalism at UA. scholarship to one of the three Thomson was a recipient of the recipients above. The winner must plan to major in journalism. Clarence Cason Award.
ASPA News
Vol. 25, Issue 2 • Fall ‘12/Winter ‘13
Congratulations to our national winners!
• The Crimson Crier (Sparkman High School, Harvest, Ala.) received a Gold Medal from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and a First Class Award from the National Scholastic Press Association, as well as a 2012 Silver Crown from CSPA. Crimson Crier staff member Jason Frost received an Al Neuharth Freedom Forum Scholarship and third place in Allstate’s Keep the Drive Alive Contest. • Jody Evans (Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa, Ala.) received the 2012 JEA Rising Star Award, which recognizes teachers with one to five years of journalism teaching and/ or advising experience who demonstrate a commitment to journalism education and show promise as up-and-coming Marie Parsons accepts the Journalism Education advisers. Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in San • Marie Parsons, Director Emeritus of ASPA, received the Antonio in November. Pictured here with some of the Alabama delegation, from left to right: mentor JoAnn 2012 Journalism Education Association (JEA) Lifetime Hagood, ASPA Director Meredith Cummings, mentor Achievement Award in San Antonio in November. and ASPA Director Emeritus Marie Parsons, Central • The Northridge Reporter received 5th place in the High School (Tuscaloosa) teacher Tyrone Jones and National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) Best of Show mentor Nora Stephens. contest. Alex Hauser, editor, won an honorable mention for review writing at the national writeoff in San Antonio. • Raiha Bajwa, managing editor of The Northridge Reporter, was named one of ten finalists in the MyBrightMountain.com Journalism Education Association Essay Contest. • The Northridge Reporter won 3rd place in the nation for overall design with CSPA. Northridge reporter students won several national individual awards with CSPA. Alex Hauser, editor of the newspaper, won three national awards for design. She won 2nd place in the nation in page one design. Alex also won an honorable mention for page one newsmagazine design and an honorable mention for her portfolio of page one design. Renu Pandit, feature editor, won an honorable mention for hand drawn illustration. Trent Clanton, former news editor, won an honorable mention for advertising design.
Alex Hauser wins Honorable Mention for Review Writing in the national writeoffs.
The Northridge Reporter staff wins 5th Place Best of Show for 8-page newspapers. (L-R) Advisor Susan Newell, Victoria Love, Katie Poore, Alex Hauser, Morgan Dewitt, Abbey Allen.
The University of Alabama ASPA News Alabama Scholastic Press Association Box 870172 Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0172
ASPA News
The Newsletter for media advisers students Vol. 25, Issue 2 • Fall ‘12/Winter ‘13
See you at State Convention Feb. 22-23, 2013!
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