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JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention NOV. 19-22, 2026 | ORLANDO WORLD CENTER MARRIOTT

CONTENTS 2 5 5 6 9 13 17 18 21 22 25 29

Convention officials Convention app Rules of conduct Convention sponsors Trade show & college fair Keynote speaker Thursday schedule Friday schedule Saturday & Sunday schedule JEA awards Featured speakers NSPA awards

32 33 34 36 39 42 45 47 48 52 56

Share your convention photos Follow us

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NSPA Best of Show Keynote profile DEI Certificate strand For students For advisers JEA certification NSMC schedule Special strands Friday at a glance Saturday at a glance Convention maps

#nhsjc

@nhsjconvention

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS & SPEAKER BIOS are available in the convention app. Scan the QR code on Page 5 to download the app to your device. Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

CONVENTION OFFICIALS Veronica Purvis JEA executive director

Laura Widmer NSPA executive director

Val Kibler, MJE JEA board president

STAFF & BOARD

Amy DeVault NSPA board president

Benjamin Langevin, CJE Local committee co-chair

Jon Erickson NHSJC sponsor and exhibitor manager

Britton Taylor Local committee co-chair

Amber James NHSJC programming manager

Marta Hill NHSJC marketing and registration manager

Journalism Education Association

National Scholastic Press Association

Headquarters staff

Executive Director: Veronica Purvis, DBA, CAE Events and Programs Manager: Amber James Business Specialist / C:JET magazine Editor: Bradley Wilson, MJE Association Assistant: Loryn Clauson

Board of directors

President: Valerie Kibler, MJE, Harrisonburg HS, Virginia Vice President: Justin Daigle, MJE, Brighton HS, Colorado Scholastic Press Rights Director: Andrea Negri, MJE, Cypress Woods HS, Texas Educational Initiatives Director: Rachel Steil, MJE, Stillwater Area HS, Minnesota Director-at-large / Mentoring Chair: Shari Chumley, MJE, Tupelo HS, Mississippi Director-at-large: Sarah Kirksey, MJE, Ladue Horton Watkins HS, Missouri Director-at-large: Timm Pilcher, MJE, Drake University, Iowa

Committee chairs

Awards: Louisa Avery, MJE, The American School in London Career and Technical Education: Laura Negri, MJE, Alief Kerr HS, Houston Certification: Rod Satterthwaite, MJE, Palo Alto HS, California Contests: Nancy Y. Smith, MJE, retired adviser, Eureka, Missouri Curriculum: Jim Streisel, MJE, Carmel HS, Indiana Digital Media: Aaron Manfull, MJE, Francis Howell North HS, Missouri Journalist of the Year: Jessica Hunziker, MJE, Castle View HS, Colorado Nominations: Michelle Balmeo, West Albany HS, Oregon Scholastic Journalism Week: PJ Cabrera, MJE, San Antonio College, Texas Global Engagement Director: Kelly Furnas, MJE, Elon University, North Carolina

Executive Director: Laura Widmer Associate Director: Gary Lundgren Associate Director for Quill & Scroll: Lori Keekley Communication and Membership Director: Marta Hill Partner Relations Manager and Special Projects Coordinator: Jon Erickson Convention and Membership Manager: Karli Keith

Board of directors

President: Amy DeVault, Wichita State University, Kansas President-elect: Kristi Rathbun, MJE, Rock Canyon HS, Colorado Treasurer: Tamara Zellars Buck, Southeast Missouri State University Secretary: Kathryn Campbell, CJE, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, Minnesota Past president: Becky Tate, Shawnee Mission North HS, Kansas

Board members

Alyssa Boehringer, University Interscholastic League Melissa Falkowski, CJE, Bremerton HS, Washington Rick Green, Iowa Group for Adams MultiMedia Pulitzer Prize-winning editor Jermaine Proshee, Southern University and A&M College, Louisiana Sara Quinn, University of Minnesota Andrew Young, CJE, Woodland Junior HS, Arkansas Jeanne Acton, emeritus, Texas Elizabeth Smith, emeritus, Pepperdine University, California

Local convention committee Benjamin Langevin, CJE, co-chair, Oviedo Britton Taylor, co-chair, Oviedo Louisa Avery, MJE, London / Hillsborough County Carly Gates, CJE, West Palm Beach

Christopher David, Titusville Omar Delgado, Miami Zach Garrett, Miami Ashley Denton, Babcock Ranch

Thomas Fernandez, CJE, Tampa Joe Humphrey, MJE, Tampa Sarah Lerner, Parkland Adam Livesay, CJE, Largo

Shannon Marino, Davenport Susan McNulty, CJE, New Port Richey Savannah Miller, CJE, Montverde Christina Porcelli, Tampa

Jamie Reynolds, CJE, Melbourne Joanie Webster, Tampa Callie Williams, CJE, Titusville Joseph Winters, Davenport

JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

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T H E

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C O M P A N Y

Your School. Our Focus.

CONVENTION APP

Download EventMobi from your app store.

Sponsored by Arizona State University Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Enter code nhsjc26orl

View ALL sessions or select one day Update your profile Find your personal agenda

App menu Search for sessions, speakers or events

Take notes Update your preferences Log out

View all sessions View announcements View maps and more

EVALUATE SESSIONS IN THE APP

Please complete the session evaluation for each session you attend.

CONVENTION RULES OF CONDUCT

These guidelines are established to ensure that all convention participants have a safe and enjoyable experience in Orlando. We are committed to ensuring that our event is an inclusive, respectful, productive and harassment-free experience for all involved. It is understood that by the act of registering students and bringing them to the convention, advisers assume responsibility for their students’ behavior and wellbeing during the convention. Breaking convention rules may result in disqualification from all contests and forfeiture of any awards won or fees paid.  All attendees are expected to wear their convention name badges at all times while in the convention spaces. When outside these spaces, remove or hide your badge, and travel in groups to ensure safety.  Out of respect to instructors and the intellectual property of their sessions, please do not record presentations without first obtaining permission from the speaker(s).  Drinking or possessing alcoholic beverages, smoking, vaping or possession/use of illegal drugs is prohibited.

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

 A 10 p.m. convention curfew is in effect. Students should be in their rooms, making no excessive noise, at that time. The hotel reserves the right to remove any hotel guests who create disruptions. Advisers/chaperones are responsible for enforcement.  No students will be admitted to the convention without a school-approved adviser/chaperone. At least one chaperone/ adviser is required for every 10 students.  Chaperones must have sleeping arrangements in nearby/ neighboring rooms to their students whenever possible. Chaperones should recognize they and their schools will be held liable for any damage to hotel/convention center facilities incurred by students under their supervision.  Rudeness to hotel guests and/or employees, misuse of the elevators, excessive noise, destruction of property or any other inappropriate behavior is not acceptable and can lead to expulsion from the hotel and/or criminal prosecution.  Should individual students, advisers or delegations prove disruptive or demonstrate unacceptable or unprofessional behavior, convention officials reserve the right to declare all fees forfeited and to send delegates home at their own expense.

Filter sessions by track

Add a session to your personal agenda.

This does not reserve you a seat in the session.

Breakout sessions are first-come, first-served seating. Convention officials recommend you select at least one backup session for each block.  Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to: – Demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behavior or speech, including bullying. – Sexual harassment and/or inappropriate physical contact. – Sustained disruption, including during presentations. – Displaying sexually explicit or violent material including in presented materials. – Violence, threats of violence or violent language directed against another person or group. – Possession of dangerous or unauthorized materials such as explosives, firearms, weapons or similar items. – Theft or inappropriate removal or possession of property. – Any other illegal activity or forms of harassment not covered above.

Full rules of conduct may be viewed at: fall.journalismconvention.org/rules-of-conduct 5

CONVENTION SPONSORS

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JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

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TRADE SHOW COLLEGEFAIR

VISIT THE TRADE SHOW & COLLEGE FAIR

Scores of national and local companies, colleges and universities will educate and entertain during the convention trade show and college fair. Find out what's new, chat with representatives, pick up information and have some fun. Find the trade show map and booth directory in the mobile app (see Page 5) or at fall.journalismconvention.org (scan QR code to access.) 1-7 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

Previous convention photos by Chris Waugaman, MJE.

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

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A ‘two-week crash course’ in journalism When Blake Pierre-Louis (pictured) arrived on Elon’s campus last summer, the high school senior from Rochester, New York, was ready to explore what a future in journalism might look like. Over the next 12 days, he discovered that some of the best lessons happen outside the classroom – with a camera in hand, a deadline approaching and a story waiting to be told. “It was like a two-week crash course in everything you might need to know if you’re getting into journalism,” Pierre-

Pierre-Louis was one of 18 students selected for Elon’s Emerging Journalists Program, a university-funded immersive experience supporting high school students interested in journalism and communications. Does this opportunity sound appealing? We have good news! The Immersion experience returns in June 2027! See the link below for details. Louis said. “It’s a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and actually learn by doing.”

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JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 7 p.m. Thursday, Cypress Ballroom 1-2

Sponsored by Friesens Corporation.

Adapting reality: Embracing the surreal in nonfiction storytelling with filmmaker Xander Robin

From writing film reviews for the Sun-Sentinel as a South Florida high school student to directing the documentary "The Python Hunt," filmmaker Xander Robin has followed a fascination with unusual stories and the people at their center. In this keynote, Robin shares his move from scripted filmmaking into feature documentary, exploring how to shape reality into a story while preserving the strangeness of real life.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER Xander Robin is a filmmaker based in South Florida who most recently directed the feature documentary "The Python Hunt," produced by Artists Equity and Lance Oppenheim. The film premiered at SXSW 2025, where it received a Special Jury Award. It was released in theaters in 2026 by Oscilloscope Laboratories to critical acclaim. He previously

directed episodes of the HBO original series "Chillin' Island" for the Safdie brothers’ Elara Pictures and wrote and directed his feature debut, "Are We Not Cats" which premiered in Critics’ Week at the 73rd Venice Film Festival and was later released on Shudder. Read more on Page 33.

Photos by Josh Aronson, Islandia Journal. Fall 2026 Fall 2026 | | Orlando Orlando #nhsjc #nhsjc

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THURSDAY SCHEDULE PRECONVENTION WORKSHOPS

Preregistration was required.

8:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M.

Branding your student media program Los Angeles, Hall of Cities

Mastering the short-form social media video Crystal Salon M-N

Special photography topic: Exploring the power of light Crystal Salon K-L

9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. Advising student media Atlanta, Hall of Cities

Broadcast and video storytelling Canary 1, Palms Ballroom

Digital photography

Canary 4, Palms Ballroom

Editorial leadership Crystal Salon J1

News website design and online reporting Chicago/Denver, Hall of Cities

Newspaper and newsmagazine design Anaheim, Hall of Cities

TRADE SHOW & COLLEGE FAIR

Dozens of national and local vendors and colleges will educate and entertain during the trade show exhibits. Find out what’s new, chat with representatives and have some fun. 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

PUBLICATION EXCHANGE

Interested in seeing what kind of work other high schools around the nation are producing? Stop by the exchange tables to see the latest editions of high school publications from coast to coast. Feel free to drop off a few copies of your media and take some you like. 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Cypress 2 Alcove

Yearbook design and theme development Canary 3, Palms Ballroom

1-5 P.M.

Getting started with InDesign and Photoshop

CONVENTION MERCH DISTRIBUTION

If your school purchased the official convention merchandise through online registration, you may pick it up here. Large orders will be bundled together and should be picked up by the adviser. Preordered items must be picked up no later than noon Friday. Quantities are limited. 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Sago/ Sabal /Royal, Palms Ballroom

INFORMATION DESK

Learn where to go, what to see and where to eat from locals serving on the convention committee. 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

Crystal Salon M-N

Navigating the current legal landscape of student journalism with SPLC Los Angeles, Hall of Cities

Old school meets new school: AI, technology and journalism without phones Crystal Salon K-L

MEDIA TOUR CHECK-IN

Please see below for the required check-in time for each media tour. Please be at the check-in desk near the Magnolia Canopy at that time or earlier. Look for signage. Preregistration was required. 8 a.m. Osceola Magic 8:30 a.m. University of Central Florida 10 a.m. WESH-2 8-10 a.m. Thursday, Convention Center Entrance

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

JEA board meeting

JEA board members meet to discuss ongoing projects and other agenda items. Breakfast served from 8-9 a.m. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Magnolia 5

1 p.m.

Check-in for National Student Media Contests

Schools registered for the National Student Media Contests must pick up their contest packet containing student ID labels and additional instructions at the JEA Contest Desk. If you have not paid, you must do so at this time. The deadline for substitutions in preregistered categories is 10:30 a.m. Friday. Students in broadcast contests earlier in the day Friday must have their ID by the contest start time. See full contest schedule on Page 45. 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

Convention check-in and registration

Writing, reporting and interviewing Canary 2, Palms Ballroom

9 a.m.

LOST AND FOUND

The convention registration desk will house the lost and found. Items not picked up by 1 p.m. Saturday will be turned over to hotel security.

8:30 a.m. JEA Outreach Academy

Outreach Academy is a JEA initiative to promote diversity in the journalism teaching profession. This free, intensive seminar is for publication advisers who need help teaching and advising students in journalism while dealing with issues surrounding diversity. The program is hands-on and focuses on practical information. The first-time convention grant adviser is invited to attend. Preregistration was required.

David Ragsdale, CJE, Clarke Central High School, Georgia 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Boston, Hall of Cities

The registration desk is at the back of the trade show floor. Those who have registered must check in to pick up school packets that include name badges, printed programs and event tickets (Break with a Pro, adviser luncheon). It is best for the advisers only to check in their delegation, paying fees if they have not already done so. 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

NSPA Best of Show check-in

The Best of Show competition is open to NSPA-member student media outlets. High school publications are eligible if students serving on the staff of the media outlet are registered convention attendees, and middle school media can enter if the adviser is a registered delegate at the convention. Individual Recognition entries were due prior to the convention, and Staff Recognition entries are due by noon Friday at the Best of Show desk. Winners will be announced at the NSPA awards ceremony on Saturday. Eligibility and rules at fall.journalismconvention.org. 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

Evening

New adviser convention orientation

Advisers at their first JEA/NSPA convention should consider attending a short orientation meeting to get a general overview and explanation of convention events and how to get the most out of them. 6-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Crystal Salon J1

Opening ceremony and keynote address

JEA, NSPA and the local convention team welcome you to the fall convention in Orlando before the keynote speaker presents. Read more about the keynote on Page 13. 7 p.m. Thursday, Cypress Ballroom 1-2

Adviser welcome reception

After the keynote speech, all advisers are welcome to attend this reception to socialize with new colleagues, relax with longtime friends and meet the local convention team, plus JEA and NSPA board members and staffs. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by Balfour & Co. 8:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Crystal Salon H

FRIDAY SCHEDULE

7:30 a.m.

9 a.m.

Adviser lounge

Break with a Pro

Meet with your colleagues from across the country in the convention adviser lounge. Refreshments provided. Sponsored by Syracuse University. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Magnolia 6

8 a.m.

Convention check-in and registration See description on Page 17.

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

Check-in for National Student Media Contests See description on Page 17.

8-10:30 a.m. Friday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

Breakout sessions

Full schedule is available in the convention mobile app. View schedule at a glance on Pages 48-55. 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Friday, various rooms

JEA general membership meeting

JEA members and others interested in the organization are invited to attend this meeting. You'll learn about recent JEA board action, hear concerns, and discuss plans and goals. 8 a.m. Friday, Magnolia 8-9

JEA National Journalism Quiz Bowl qualifying testing

Registered four-person teams will take an online qualifying test. The test scores will be used to seed the top teams that will compete in the live buzzer rounds Saturday morning. The list of qualifying teams will be posted by 11 a.m. Friday outside Crystal Salon Q and in the convention mobile app. 8 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon C

NSPA Best of Show check-in See description on Page 17.

8 a.m. to noon Friday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

NSPA and Quill & Scroll Student Advisory Board meeting

Only NSPA and Quill & Scroll Student Advisory Board members should attend. Continental breakfast will be served. 8 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon B

Kick off your morning with tailored, small-group discussion sessions with journalism professionals in traditional and specialized areas. Media professionals will share information about their work and backgrounds. Preregistration was required. Check your ticket for your assigned time. Session categories include: Broadcast sports Communications and marketing Copy editing Design and creative direction Feature writing Music, arts and culture reporting Newswriting Opinion writing Photojournalism Podcasting Social media Sports writing TV news Videography 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon P

JEA state directors meeting

PUBLICATION EXCHANGE

8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, Cypress 2 Alcove

INFORMATION DESK

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

CONVENTION MERCH DISTRIBUTION

8 a.m. to noon Friday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

3 p.m. JEA CJE/MJE certification testing

Advisers who have applied to take the Certified Journalism Educator or Master Journalism Educator tests will do so at this time. Session includes a half-hour study session and a 2 ½-hour test session. Bring your laptop.

3-6 p.m. Friday, Los Angeles, Hall of Cities

All JEA state directors should attend this meeting to learn about upcoming events and get helpful hints on how to make others aware of the organization at the state level.

4 p.m.

Noon

On-site contests and critique sessions for online categories will take place from 4-6 p.m. More information on Page 45.

NSPA on-site media critiques

6 p.m.

9 a.m. Friday, Magnolia 8-9

On-site critiques are scheduled for staffs who purchased and reserved times while registering for the convention. Please arrive 10 minutes before your assigned critique time to check in. Bring laptops and copies of recent print publications.

Noon to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon P

JEA National Student Media Contests 4-6 p.m. Friday, various rooms

JEA National Student Media Contests judges' dinner and judging

JEA will provide dinner for all judges of the National Student Media Contests from 6-7 p.m. Contest judging to follow. 6-9 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon P

7 p.m.

Friday Night Fun: Pool party

Student attendees, join us for a special pool party. Activities will include assorted lawn games and a poolside movie screening. 7-9 p.m. Friday, Falls Pool

TRADE SHOW & COLLEGE FAIR

Dozens of national and local vendors and colleges will educate and entertain during the trade show exhibits. Find out what’s new, chat with representatives and have some fun. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sago/Sabal/Royal, Palms Ballroom

JEA COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committee members will meet to make plans and set goals for the upcoming year. Other advisers who are interested in being part of the committee are invited to attend. 10 a.m. JEA CTE Committee, Crystal Salon B 2 p.m. JEA mentors meeting, Crystal Salon D

JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

FROM EVERYDAY TO EXTRAORDINARY YOUR WINNING SHOT STARTS WITH A SINGLE CLICK.

• Earn national recognition • 10 categories to enter • Win big with cash awards (or)

Grand Prize $1,000 + camera gear

Support

Stop by our booth to learn how to get started!

YOU REQUESTED, WE DELIVERED! We now offer printing of names and schools on membership certificates for a small fee.

Contests

Contests are available for all types of student media. All schools with a charter are eligible to enter.

Chapter Activities Active chapters can have leadership positions that students can highlight on college and scholarship applications.

Join us in honoring student journalists and their work.

Our membership ordering guide leads advisers through member identification, ordering and induction process. The advisers-only area for active members now features a gallery of Gallup Award winners, numerous lesson plans and more than 50 bell-ringers.

Scholarships

Senior members and contest winners can apply for scholarships.

Recognition

Members can buy graduation honor cords, patches, stickers and diploma seals to commemorate their accomplishment.

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7:30 a.m.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE 9 a.m.

NSPA on-site media critiques

Adviser lounge

Meet with your colleagues from across the country in the convention adviser lounge. Refreshments provided. Sponsored by Syracuse University. 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Magnolia 6

8 a.m.

See description on Page 18.

9-11 a.m. Saturday, Crystal Salon P

Noon

Adviser recognition luncheon

Convention check-in and registration See description on Page 17.

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Palms Registration Desk

Breakout sessions

JEA and NSPA will present awards at this special event. New and renewing Certified Journalism Educators and Master Journalism Educators will be recognized as well as several NSPA Pioneers and JEA fall award winners. Preregistration was required. Please bring your ticket. Varsity Yearbook is sponsor for this event.

Full schedule is available in the convention mobile app. View schedule at a glance on Pages 48-55.

Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Crystal Salon H

8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Saturday, various rooms

3:30 p.m.

JEA National Journalism Quiz Bowl finals

NSPA awards ceremony

See description on Page 36.

8-10 a.m. Saturday, Crystal Salon C

Adobe certification testing

Advisers and students will have the opportunity to take a certification exam for Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and/ or Premiere Pro. These exams are for intermediate- to advanced-level users. Preregistration was required. Bring a laptop that meets the technical requirements listed on the convention website. 8 a.m. Saturday, Denver, Hall of Cities

This award ceremony recognizes the best of the best in student media. The NSPA Individual Award winners are named. Pacemaker winners are announced for Broadcast, Newspaper/Newsmagazine and Specialty Magazine. The ceremony concludes with naming convention Best of Show winners in both the Individual and Staff Recognition categories.

JEA COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committee members will meet to make plans and set goals for the upcoming year. Other advisers who are interested in being part of the committee are invited to attend. 8 a.m. JEA Digital Media Committee, Chicago 8 a.m. JEA Scholastic Press Rights Committee Magnolia 10 9 a.m. JEA DEI Committee, Chicago 9 a.m. JEA Certification Committee, Boston 9 a.m. JEA Awards Committee, Crystal Salon H

PUBLICATION EXCHANGE

8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Cypress 2 Alcove

INFORMATION DESK

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Palms Registration Desk

3:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Cypress Ballroom 2

SUNDAY SCHEDULE 8:30 a.m.

JEA awards and NHSJC closing ceremony

Winners of the JEA National Student Media Contests and National Journalism Quiz Bowl will be recognized during the convention's closing ceremony. You may pick up NSMC entries after the ceremony. Entries not picked up will be mailed. 8:30-10:30 a.m. Sunday, Cypress Ballroom 2

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

Congratulations to JEA’s fall award winners! Carl Towley Award Laura Widmer

NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Broadcast Adviser of the Year

Zachary Gorman

HOLBROOK MIDDLE-HIGH SCHOOL HOLBROOK, MASSACHUSETTS

Medal of Merit

Makena Busch, CJE

Rising Star Award Michael Abrams THE BALDWIN SCHOOL BRYN MAWR, PENNSYLVANIA

Brooke Acosta WEST BROWARD HIGH SCHOOL PEMBROKE PINES, FLORIDA

Tishtrya Cama

ROCK HILL HIGH SCHOOL, FRISCO, TEXAS

Natacha Delgado SOMERSET ACADEMY PREP, MIAMI

Genifer Freeman NORTHWEST RANKIN MIDDLE SCHOOL FLOWOOD, MISSISSIPPI

Hannah Shumsky Marrie STATE COLLEGE AREA HIGH SCHOOL PENNSYLVANIA

Savannah Miller, CJE

MEAD HIGH SCHOOL SPOKANE, WASHINGTON

Kaitlin Edgerton, MJE STEVENSON HIGH SCHOOL STERLING HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN

Christina Hammitt, CJE CRANBROOK KINGSWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR BOYS BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MICHIGAN

Paul Kandell PALO ALTO (CALIFORNIA) HIGH SCHOOL

Glenn Krake, CJE WEST LINN (OREGON) HIGH SCHOOL

Kari Riemer HENDRICKSON HIGH SCHOOL PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS

Brit Taylor HAGERTY HIGH SCHOOL, OVIEDO, FLORIDA

Grace Podjeski

Future Journalism Teacher Scholarship

ROCKWOOD SUMMIT HIGH SCHOOL FENTON, MISSOURI

Vivian Landis OMAHA, NEBRASKA

Cortney Wood

Victoria Kate Pursley

PLANO WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL, TEXAS

ODESSA, TEXAS

MONTVERDE (FLORIDA) ACADEMY

Distinguished Broadcast Adviser Michael Hatch

PROSPER (TEXAS) HIGH SCHOOL

Krystle Hoisington, MJE LINDBERGH HIGH SCHOOL, ST. LOUIS

Special Recognition Broadcast Adviser Jennifer Higgins

LIBERTY NORTH HIGH SCHOOL, MISSOURI

Administrator of the Year

Bill Woodard

DOS PUEBLOS HIGH SCHOOL GOLETA, CALIFORNIA

Friends of Scholastic Journalism

Annette Johnson

VARSITY YEARBOOK CITRUS HEIGHTS, CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles Times High School Insider EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA

Next award application deadline is Dec. 15

www.jea.org/awards

MEET THE CARL TOWLEY WINNER working with students and introducing them to the journalism world she loved.”

By Louisa Avery, MJE, JEA Awards Committee chair

Laura Widmer is the 2026 Carl Towley Award recipient. This award is the Journalism Education Association's highest honor and is presented to a member whose work is unusually beneficial and of superior value to the national JEA and to scholastic journalism.

“Visionary. Problem solver. Champion of student journalists,” said former JEA Executive Director Linda Puntney, MJE. “I’ve heard Laura Widmer called a lot of things over the 50 years I have known her, but these three descriptors definitely come to the forefront time and time again.” Puntney taught Widmer at Northwest Missouri State University and was her adviser on the Missourian newspaper and the Tower yearbook staffs. “Her positive, can-do attitude then was a forerunner of the grit and determination she has now,” Puntney said. “Her resume tracks her career path after college. She worked professionally, taught high school journalism at Clinton, Missouri, where she discovered her life’s calling —

When Widmer returned to NWMSU as an instructor, she established citywide distribution for the Northwest Missourian. The Tower yearbook was one of the first in the nation to include a CD-ROM as part of the publication. She started Heartland View, a regional tourism magazine, providing journalism students an opportunity to experience magazine journalism. During this time, she also started a newspaper in her hometown of Salisbury, Missouri. In addition to providing them with the Chariton Valley News Press, she created reporting internships for her NWMSU students. “In 2015, she brought that same problem-solving, visionary thinking to the National Scholastic Press Association and Associated Collegiate Press,” Puntney said. “In the 11 years she has been in a leadership role, first as assistant director and then as executive director, she has changed the trajectory of the organizations.” A few years into her job as director, Widmer played a major role in navigating both NSPA and JEA through the coronavirus pandemic, which ultimately canceled four in-person National High School Journalism Conventions. This required renegotiating hotel contracts and rebuilding conventions in virtual formats. In 2021, when the Philadelphia Marriott required JEA and NSPA to host an event in the hotel as part

of the legal negotiations to be released from the convention contract, Widmer launched the Philadelphia Storytelling Workshop. The workshop attracted approximately 625 attendees and fulfilled part of a contractual obligation with the Philadelphia Marriott, saving NSPA and JEA $250,000 in penalties. This event was in addition to the virtual convention JEA and NSPA were already hosting. “Widmer’s calm and expert leadership not only saved both organizations from financial disaster, JEA/NSPA found innovative ways to virtually serve students and advisers,” said NSPA Associate Director Gary Lundgren. “Both organizations are stronger today as a result.” When Dallas County Schools, the longtime sponsor of what was then called the Gloria Shields Publication Workshop, shut down, the workshop was left without a home. Widmer was approached to see if NSPA would be willing to partner with the workshop committee to help with running the program. For eight years now they’ve handled contracts and registration for the event, which has been rebranded as the Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop and continues to offer training for more than 500 students and advisers every summer. “Laura is that person we know we can rely on, whether it‘s just for a smile and a hug, or to argue a contract with a hotel or AV company for a national convention,” Association of Texas Photography Instructors Executive Director Mark Murray said. “And she makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world when you are around her.”

Learn more about JEA awards:

These award winners will be honored at the adviser recognition luncheon, Noon Saturday, Crystal Salon H. Fall 2026 Fall 2026 | | Orlando Orlando #nhsjc #nhsjc

MEET RECRUITERS

ST U D E N T SWAG

V I S I T O U R B O OT H Learn how students get involved from day one and gain valuable, real media experience on campus.

Online Graduate Pathways in Journalism Education School of Media Gain tools and insights to effectively teach journalism/ and Journalism yearbook and advise scholastic media through

School of Media and Journalism

Kent State University’s School of Media and Journalism, home of the Knight Chair in Scholastic Journalism and the Center for Scholastic Journalism Graduate Certificate in Journalism Education 12 credit hours

Master of Arts degree in Journalism Education 30 credit hours

Three start dates throughout the year Learn More: www.kent.edu/mdj/JNED

School of Media and Journalism

“ Almost every single lesson in each class could be adapted to my classroom the following day. I loved the practicality of each course I took! ” Val Kibler, M.A., ’14 teacher at Harrisonburg High School, Virginia

FEATURED SPEAKERS Mike Carlson

Nakylah Carter

Carlson has been a photographer since the days when film had to be used, and not like in the trendy ways of today. He was a teacher and yearbook adviser for 33 years, before transitioning to work as a multimedia specialist for Pasco County Schools. He also has a second life as a freelance photographer, focusing extensively on sports. He works mainly with MLB Photos, Getty Images and the Associated Press, as well as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Buccaneers and Sun Football Club. Carlson has lived in five countries and visited 68, and loves to document travel, especially because that means he’s not at work.

Before joining the Tampa Bay Times, Carter earned a bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism from North Carolina A&T State University, and master’s degree specializing in data and investigative journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism. She has bylines in various publications, from The Marshall Project and "Good Morning America" to Triad Business Journal and ABC News, but is now in the Sunshine State, where she tells stories about education using data to simplify the complex.

Freelance photographer, New Port Richey, Florida

SPORTS JOURNALISM

Sports photography tips from a pro

It’s time to get off of ‘sports mode’ and into some proper shooting positions. This photography session will provide you with some tips and tricks to think about when shooting sports. 10 a.m. Saturday, Canary 3

Education data reporter, Tampa Bay Times, Florida

NEWSGATHERING

What is data reporting?

No matter their current skill level, students don’t need extensive training to start adding effective data to their stories. In this session, attendees will learn a little about what data reporting is, as well as simple things they can do in Google Sheets to help their reporting today. Attendees, please bring a laptop with access to Google Sheets to this session. 10 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon G1

Kevin Goldberg Vice president and First Amendment expert, Freedom Forum, Washington, D.C.

Goldberg is vice president and First Amendment expert at Freedom Forum, where he educates the public about all five freedoms of the First Amendment. Before that, he was a media lawyer for 25 years, representing journalists and journalism organizations in matters involving defamation, access to information and intellectual property. Goldberg has taught journalism and First Amendment law, spoken to audiences around the world, and appeared as a legal expert on several news channels. He received the Radio Television News Directors Foundation’s 2026 First Amendment Award. LAW & ETHICS

What you should know about press freedom

Are your press freedoms being challenged? Want to know how a First Amendment reporter puts their press freedoms to use every day? Through a Q&A with experts and experienced students, this session will deepen your knowledge of the First Amendment and press freedoms, and provide practical advice about the field. with Stephany Matat 2 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon G1

Harrison Hove

Sean Marcus

Hove serves as chair of the journalism department at the University of Florida. He formerly served as director of the UF Summer Media Institute and the UF Innovation News Center. Hove teaches broadcast journalism courses, and his students have earned dozens of national awards for their reporting. He has advised students on reporting assignments from coast to coast and abroad, from California wildfire recovery to President Trump’s inauguration, including a multi-country reporting initiative in the Middle East. Before teaching, Hove was a reporter, anchor and meteorologist for more than a decade. He earned seven regional EMMY Awards and received 21 nominations during that time.

As the interactive learning designer for MediaWise, a digital media and AI literacy initiative of the Poynter Institute, Marcus designs, develops and delivers learning material for a wide range of audiences and purposes, ranging from journalists to senior citizens to high school students, and traditional classroom lessons to asynchronous, online learning experiences. He is also a founding member of Poynter's AI Innovation Lab. Marcus spent over 20 years teaching high school in Tampa Bay. He has taught journalism, television production, creative writing and graphic design, and advised nationally recognized publications.

Chair and senior lecturer, University of Florida, Gainesville

MULTIMEDIA & BROADCAST

Interactive learning designer, Poynter Institute, St. Petersburg, Florida

AI & JOURNALISM

AI literacy for your newsroom and your audience

We are knee deep in the AI boom and it seems like the questions are only getting Great video storytelling more complicated. Internally, breaks through the screen newsrooms are struggling and makes viewers feel to come together to address something. But how do you its potential use, harm and do it? Harrison Hove will share impact. This session will his storytelling blueprint, as provide tools to help get well as useful examples, to everyone in the newsroom help you learn to create more on the same page with AI, compelling TV packages. offering strategies for covering This session will include time the AI beat in a way that will for Q&A. resonate with audiences. Expect to leave with resources Noon Friday, and tools for keeping up Crystal Salon G1 with the rapidly changing technology, and a bank of ideas for reporting on the impact of AI. 11 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon G1

The art of video storytelling

Stephany Matat Freedom Forum First Amendment reporter, USA TODAY Network, Tallahassee, Florida

Stephany Matat is the First Amendment reporter for the USA TODAY Network in Florida. Her role covering First Amendment issues is made possible by a collaboration between Freedom Forum, Journalism Funding Partners and the USA TODAY Network. Freedom Forum does not provide editorial input. Matat previously followed South Florida politics with a focus on President Donald Trump's campaign while at the Associated Press, and before that at the Palm Beach Post. She also covered state politics for POLITICO Florida and Fresh Take Florida. Matat graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's in journalism and political science, and a minor in sociology. Follow her on X @StephanyMatat and on Instagram @matatpolitics. LAW & ETHICS

What you should know about press freedom with Kevin Goldberg 2 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon G1

More featured speakers on Page 27.

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

All-in-one platform

LESS BUSYWORK.

MORE YEARBOOK. From first photo to final page, eDesign gives you one place to create, organize, collaborate and keep production moving. The result? Students have the tools to do more on their own — and advisers have more visibility into what’s truly getting done.

Find photos faster

Smart Search and the eDesign Library help staff organize thousands of photos and find the right one fast.

Tag with confidence

Tag Wizard helps identify students, build captions and see who’s represented in the book.

Make book-wide changes quickly

Style Wizard updates fonts, colors and formatting across multiple pages at once.

Create a starting point in seconds

Collage Wizard helps turn selected photos into polished layout options your staff can make their own.

Sales are built-in

Smart Campaigns send emails to non-buyers featured when a page is submitted.

Visit our booth

GIVE US A CHANCE TO SHOW YOU Stop by the Varsity booth to learn more about what’s up next and sign up for beta testing. ybk.link/about-edesign

Visit the eDesign page or contact a rep for more.

Create with confidence in eDesign. Spend less time searching, formatting and repeating tasks — and more time storytelling.

FEATURED SPEAKERS Daphne Nikolopoulos

Editorial director, Palm Beach Media Group, West Palm Beach, Florida Nikolopoulos is editorin-chief of Palm Beach Illustrated magazine and editorial director of Palm Beach Media Group, overseeing more than 40 lifestyle and special-interest magazines throughout the state of Florida. Daphne leads a team of journalists, editors and art directors in creating award-winning editorial, photography and design content for monthly lifestyle magazines and custom titles. With more than 30 years of experience in magazines and newspapers, including 23 years at PBMG, Daphne is a respected voice in magazine publishing and frequently lectures statewide. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from University of California, Riverside. [TWO-BLOCK SESSION] WRITING

Workshop: Anatomy of a feature

This two-hour, hands-on workshop will break down different elements of a feature article, from the lead to the ending, with the goal of helping attendees create more engaging, emotionally resonant features. Students will have the option to share their in-workshop writing for constructive critique. 9-10:45 a.m. Saturday, Magnolia 8-9

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

Les Rose

Nicholas Samuel

Les Rose is in his 11th year as a professor of practice in broadcast and digital journalism at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. Before 2016, he spent 38 years as a multi-award-winning photojournalist, including 30 years with CBS News and KCBS in Los Angeles. His extensive field experience spans coverage of Central American war zones for NBC News, a 23-year partnership with Steve Hartman that includes seven years with CBS's “Everybody Has a Story,” and decades of major national breaking news coverage. He has dedicated his life to helping the next generation of journalists, and advocating for the First Amendment.

Samuel is an experienced communicator, journalist and mentor. A reporter for Vero News, he has nearly 10 years of experience reporting on breaking news, including crime, space, COVID-19, government, weather and justice. Samuel is an avid space enthusiast and regularly covers SpaceX launches from the Kennedy Space Center. In 2022, Samuel organized a NASA downlink event with the Gifford Youth Achievement Center. For this national event, students had their pre-recorded questions answered live by astronauts Jessica Watkins and Bob Hines via livestream while aboard the International Space Station. Samuel earned a Master of Arts in public affairs journalism from Columbia College Chicago in 2013.

Professor of practice in broadcast and digital journalism, Syracuse University, New York

MULTIMEDIA & BROADCAST

Finding stories with heart: Cinematic broadcast storytelling

In this session, attendees will learn how to "write with their camera" and make their visual storytelling more cinematic, so they can capture real moments with their subjects and produce broadcast packages that connect better with viewers. Come learn from a seasoned pro and discover some seriously great tips to improve your multimedia journalism skills. 11 a.m. Saturday, Canary 3

Reporter, Vero News, Vero Beach, Florida

COLLEGE & CAREER

Covering breaking news 101

This introductory session will cover how to write breaking news stories for digital platforms. Topics will include writing news briefs, preparing basic questions, asking the right questions based on interview responses, listening to the police scanner app, navigating websites, using social media to post stories and basic recording tools. This session will touch on covering a wide variety of breaking news beats, including crime, hurricanes, elections, space and more. 1 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon G1

Jeff Sharon

Course director of new media journalism, Full Sail University, Orlando, Florida Sharon is a graduate-level media and journalism educator at Full Sail University, and a sports public address announcer at the University of Central Florida. He is also a playby-play broadcaster and a former TV sports journalist, with a master’s degree and more than two decades of experience across radio, television, digital publishing and live sports production. MULTIMEDIA & BROADCAST

The 15 commandments of great video Video is everywhere, but between amateur production and AI slop, most of it stinks. Attend this session to discover 15 shooting and editing tips that will help you create high-quality videos that stand out. 9 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon G1

Sade Teel

Senior manager of communications and public relations, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, Florida Teel is senior manager of communications and public relations at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando, where she leads strategic communications for nine venues and more than 1,000 events a year. She oversees media relations, key messaging and press coordination, launching the arts center's first influencer program and has secured hundreds of media placements. An awardwinning communicator, Teel specializes in crisis communication, media relations and multi-channel campaigns. Her experience includes serving as public information officer and working on projects with ESPN, the Big 12 Conference and University of Central Florida. She also teaches public relations at Valencia College and Seminole State. MARKETING & AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT

Beyond the byline: Building a brand for your publication

Wesley Wright

Assistant director of student media, Florida Atlantic University, Deerfield Beach Wright is a Florida Atlantic University alumnus who, as a professional reporter, covered K-12 education in Colorado, and higher education in both Florida and Virginia, before taking a job at his alma mater. Now, he advises three campus media outlets and serves as executive director of the ReNews Project, which seeks to restart and bolster student media operations at HBCU institutions across the United States. SPORTS JOURNALISM

More than a gamer: Using public records in sports reporting

Students may assume that you have to be a seasoned reporter to request and use public records, but that isn't the case. Anyone can request and use public records in Florida, as well as many other states. This session will discuss what you might see fit to request and why, plus what to consider when you make a request from any public agency. 8 a.m. Saturday, Canary 3

Great journalism only matters if people see it. Using lessons from launching an influencer program and running multichannel campaigns at a major arts center, Sade Teel will show attendees how to grow their publication’s audience. Topics will include social media strategy, consistent messaging and partnerships with creators. 8 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon G1

NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION

FALL AWARDS

HALL OF FAME: In 2026, five publications join the ranks of the nation’s most honored scholastic media by earning 10 All-American ratings within 11-years.

RAIDER // GULLIVER PREPARATORY SCHOOL (FL)

LION’S ROAR // CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN ACADEMY (TN)

LONE STAR // JAMES BOWIE HIGH SCHOOL (TX)

> 2026 NSPA HALL OF FAME DETAILS (yearbook) Whitney High School Rocklin, California Sarah Nichols, adviser [second induction] presented in Minneapolis RAIDER (yearbook) Gulliver Preparatory School Pine Crest, Florida Monica Rodriguez, adviser presented in Orlando DRAGON // ROUND ROCK HIGH SCHOOL (TX)

LION’S ROAR (yearbook) Christ Presbyterian Academy

Nashville, Tennessee Heather Nagel, adviser presented in Minneapolis LONE STAR (yearbook) James Bowie High School Austin, Texas Lindsey Shirack, adviser presented in Orlando DRAGON (yearbook) Round Rock High School Round Rock, Texas Sharon Kubicek, adviser presentation TBD

NSPA AWARDS // ORLANDO 2026

DETAILS // WHITNEY HIGH SCHOOL (CA)

CONGRATULATIONS > 2026 NEWSPAPER/NEWSMAGAZINE, SPECIALTY MAGAZINE FINALISTS First presented in 1927, the Pacemaker is the highest award presented to print and digital student media by the National Scholastic Press Association. Being named a finalist in the Pacemaker competition is a significant achievement. The winners will be announced on Saturday.

NSPA AWARDS CEREMONY

3:30 p.m. Saturday Cypress 2 Hall of Fame Individual Awards Pacemaker finalists Pacemakers Best of Show

ADVISER RECOGNITION LUNCHEON

Noon Saturday Crystal Salon H NSPA Pioneer Award

HIGHLANDER Carlmont High School Belmont, California THE EPITAPH Homestead High School Cupertino, California EL ESTOQUE Monta Vista High School Cupertino, California THE ORACLE Henry M. Gunn High School Palo Alto, California C MAGAZINE Palo Alto High School Palo Alto, California THE CAMPANILE Palo Alto High School Palo Alto, California VERDE Palo Alto High School Palo Alto, California BEAR WITNESS Branham High School San Jose, California THE EPIC Lynbrook High School San Jose, California VNHS MIRROR Van Nuys High School Van Nuys, California THE HOOFPRINT Walnut High School Walnut, California THE MIX Monarch High School Louisville, Colorado THE BLUEPRINT Hagerty High School Oviedo, Florida BLUEPRINTS Cedar Shoals High School Athens, Georgia U-HIGH MIDWAY University of Chicago Laboratory High School Chicago, Illinois

THE HARBINGER Shawnee Mission East High School Prairie Village, Kansas JAGWIRE Mill Valley High School Shawnee, Kansas NORTHWEST PASSAGE Shawnee Mission Northwest High School Shawnee, Kansas ON THE RECORD duPont Manual High School Louisville, Kentucky THE COUGAR STAR Clague Middle School Ann Arbor, Michigan THE COMMUNICATOR MAGAZINE Community High School Ann Arbor, Michigan THE CRANE Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School for Boys Bloomfield Hills, Michigan THE RUBICON St. Paul Academy and Summit School St. Paul, Minnesota THE MESSENGER Marquette High School Chesterfield, Missouri GLOBE Clayton High School Clayton, Missouri NORTH STAR Francis Howell North High School Saint Charles, Missouri IDENTITY Ladue Horton Watkins High School St. Louis, Missouri PANORAMA Ladue Horton Watkins High School St. Louis, Missouri

SPARK Lakota East High School Liberty Township, Ohio TRIBAL TRIBUNE Wando High School Mount Pleasant, South Carolina THE DISPATCH James Bowie High School Austin, Texas THE SHIELD McCallum High School Austin, Texas EAGLE EDITION Episcopal School of Dallas Dallas, Texas FOCUS St. Mark’s School of Texas Dallas, Texas REMARKER St. Mark’s School of Texas Dallas, Texas THE SCIENTIFIC MARKSMAN St. Mark’s School of Texas Dallas, Texas REVIEW St. John’s School Houston, Texas THE EDGE Pleasant Grove High School Texarkana, Texas THE HIGHLANDER McLean High School McLean, Virginia AMPERSAND The American School in London London, England THE STANDARD The American School in London London, England THE SCROLL The American School in London Middle School London, England

NEWSPAPER/NEWSMAGAZINE, SPECIALTY MAGAZINE PACEMAKER FINALISTS • BROADCAST PACEMAKER FINALISTS NSPA INDIVIDUAL AWARDS • NSPA PIONEER AWARD

> 2026 BROADCAST FINALISTS GOOD MORNING JOHN BURROUGHS John Burroughs High School Burbank, California CHSTV LIVE Carlsbad High School Carlsbad, California BEYOND DP Dos Pueblos High School Goleta, California MOORE MORNING SHOW Moore Middle School Redlands, California KRAM Rampart High School Colorado Springs, Colorado CCNN LIVE Christopher Columbus High School Miami, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida CODE BLUE NEWS Holbrook Middle High School Holbrook, Massachusetts WTHS MEDIA Tupelo High School Tupelo, Mississippi HTV MAGAZINE Hillcrest High School Springfield, Missouri LINCOLN LIVE Gahanna Lincoln High School Gahanna, Ohio ALTV NEWS Armand Larive Middle School Hermiston, Oregon GHS INSIDER Germantown High School Germantown, Tennessee KCBY Coppell High School Coppell, Texas

THE VOYAGE Christopher Columbus High School Miami, Florida

DSOA TODAY Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

HILL TOP NEWS Rock Hill High School Frisco, Texas EAGLE NATION NEWS Prosper High School Prosper, Texas

PPROXIMATELY 468 finalists from 46 contests in eight categories have been named; winners announced at Saturday’s NSPA Awards Ceremony. BROADCAST STORY OF THE YEAR Broadcast News Story Broadcast Feature Story Broadcast Sports Story Broadcast Commentary CARTOON OF THE YEAR Comic Strip/Panel Editorial Cartoon DESIGN OF THE YEAR Newspaper Front Page Newspaper Page/Spread Newsmagazine Cover Newsmagazine Page/Spread Magazine Cover Magazine Page/Spread Yearbook Spread Yearbook Theme Package Informational Graphic Illustration Artwork PHOTO OF THE YEAR News Photo Feature Photo Sports Game/Action Photo Sports Feature Photo Environmental Portrait DIGITAL STORY OF THE YEAR Multimedia News Story Multimedia Feature Story Multimedia Sports Story Photo Slideshow Interactive Graphic Podcast Blog

FINALISTS STORY OF THE YEAR News Story Feature Story Sports Story Editorial Opinion Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Reporting Systemic Change Reporting Local Climate Change Reporting Creative Writing PORTFOLIO OF THE YEAR Artist of the Year Broadcast Journalist of the Year Designer of the Year Marketer of the Year Multimedia Journalist of the Year Photojournalist of the Year Writer of the Year BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA Social Media Reporting Social Media Promotions

> NSPA PIONEER AWARD: CLASS OF 2026

T READ ABOUT THE 2026 RECIPIENTS

HE PIONEER AWARD, NSPA’s highest honor, recognizes journalism educators and advocates who have made longterm, significant contributions to scholastic journalism. This year’s winners — Makena Busch, Kathryn Campbell, Annie Gorenstein-Falkenberg, Dean Hume, Andrea Negri and Bretton Zinger — represent decades of dedication, innovation and mentorship. Their commitment has shaped student journalists and advisers nationwide, strengthening scholastic press freedom and ensuring the future of strong, student-driven media.

MAKENA BUSCH

KATHRYN CAMPBELL

ANNIE GORENSTEINFALKENBERG

DEAN HUME

ANDREA NEGRI

BRETTON ZINGER

NSPA AWARDS // ORLANDO 2026

RAIDER305 Gulliver Preparatory School Pinecrest, Florida

> NSPA INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

BROADCAST NEWS PROGRAM // MAGAZINE // PRINT NEWS WEBSITE // YEARBOOK

BEST OF SHOW Staff Recognition entries are due at noon on Friday

NSPA Best of Show, a popular convention competition, is open to NSPA-member student media outlets The contest is $30 per entry. Print entries must be submitted to the Best of Show registration desk. Submit digital entries using this QR code:

EST OF SHOW awards in this category are presented to the student media outlet for the overall product. Only one submission is allowed in each category. The entries compete directly against each other, and a critique or score sheet is not provided. The Best of Show winner receives the iconic NSPA Best of Show trophy, with second through 10th place winners receiving certificates.

> BROADCAST NEWS PROGRAM

THE DEADLINE IS NOON, NOV. 20

Enter a single broadcast news program aired between Aug. 1, 2026, and the contest deadline. Entries must be submitted as URL links (i.e., a YouTube or Vimeo link). The news program must be housed on a site or channel owned by a school student media outlet and not a personal site or channel. News programs compete in two categories — high school and junior high/middle school. Submit your URL using the QR code on the left.

> MAGAZINE: LITERARY ARTS

Enter one print copy of the most recent issue of the magazine at the Best of Show registration desk in Orlando. Junior high/middle school magazines may be entered, but there isn’t a separate category.

> MAGAZINE: SPECIALTY

> PRINT NEWS

Enter one print copy of the most recent regular issue, published after Aug. 1, 2026, of the newspaper/ newsmagazine at the Best of Show registration desk in Orlando. High school entries compete in categories based on enrollment. Junior high/middle school entries compete in a separate category.

> WEBSITE

Online news websites, actively updated during the current school year, compete in separate high school and junior high/middle school categories. High school websites are further divided by enrollment. Submit your URL using the QR code on the left.

> YEARBOOK

The 2026 print yearbook should be entered at the Best of Show registration desk in Orlando. Yearbooks compete in separate high school and junior high/middle school categories. High school yearbooks are further divided by enrollment. Yearbooks will be available to the end of the Saturday awards ceremony for return. NSPA does not guarantee the return of your yearbook.

KEYNOTE PROFILE

of slept-on, strange, independent films and started honing his writing skills.

JOURNALISM A SPRINGBOARD TO FILMMAKING FOR ROBIN By Marta Hill, NSPA communication and membership director

Xander Robin didn’t consider himself a typical scholastic journalist when he was in high school in South Florida. But nonetheless, he found himself practicing journalism as a movie reviewer for the Sun-Sentinel’s teen section. He found his way into theaters for all sorts

Photo by Josh Aronson, Islandia Journal.

“That's when I really started to fall in love with film,” Robin said. “I decided I would actually only write a review of a film if I really liked it, which is kind of like a ridiculous thing. But maybe it explains more of how I feel about film in general, in that it's like a romantic love affair.” Robin soon realized that instead of writing about films, he wanted to be making films and documentaries himself. His first documentary, which he made in high school, was about the Vietnam War. It showed him the power of documentary storytelling. “It allowed me to make something that could speak to many more people and get outside of my own self,” Robin said. After a stint in New York, Robin found himself back in Florida ready to start on his most

recent documentary, “The Python Hunt.” It follows the amateur and professional hunters participating in the state-run invasive python hunting competition.

"The Python Hunt” is an observational documentary, shot over the course of one season’s competition. This genre of documentary film is Robin’s favorite, but does pose challenges when it comes to production. “You're basically like going to the grocery store, and you're buying the store, and then you have to decide what to cook with the ingredients you have,” Robin said. The production team ended up with about 250 hours of footage over one 10-day competition and had to cut it down into a cohesive story. “It's not really about who wins or loses,” Robin said. “It's more about what it's like to be in this kind of bizarre competition and why people join in the first place.”

Keynote presentation 7 p.m. Thursday, Cypress Ballroom 1-2 Sponsored by Friesens Corporation. More on Page 13.

DEDICATED FACULTY >> Our school consistently ranks as one of thebest in the nation. Learn journalism in a beautiful setting and engage with faculty who know your name. REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE >> Students can get to work right away at student-run media outlets, includng The Post, The New Political, Thread magazine, Backdrop magazine, ACRN radio and WOUB Public Media. Students can also join the professionally managed advertising CHECK US OUT agency NEXT, interacting with national brands.

HAVE A GREAT CONVENTION!

DEI CERTIFICATE

Earn JEA’s DEI certificate by attending four out of 13 special breakout sessions geared toward diversity, equity and inclusion. Take the lead and put these sessions on your schedule so you can come away with new strategies and insights. If you attend at least four in the special strand and promptly submit the required online form for each, you’ll earn a certificate from JEA based on your participation. Sessions — and the certificate — are open to all! Those earning the special DEI certificate will receive it by January 2026. Please review NHSJC's rules of conduct (Page 5) before attending any convention events.

FRIDAY INTERVIEWING

Lost in translation: Interviewing immigrants

Student journalists will learn how to ethically work with interviewees from immigrant backgrounds with limited English, fluency through a step-by-step interviewing guide. The session will also touch on the impact of covering underrepresented communities, how students can make international stories local, interviewing sources whose first language is not English and the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in newswriting. Students will participate in hands-on writing and interviewing activities, such as composing interview questions. Mira Schoewe, Lindbergh High School, Missouri 9 a.m. Friday, Magnolia 7 NEWSGATHERING

Secrets and safeguards: Protecting confidential sources

Is your reporting putting your sources at risk? If you cover stories about LGBTQ+ issues, teen pregnancy and abortion, immigration or other sensitive topics, you need to be thinking carefully about how to protect your sources. It's not just about keeping their names out of your stories. It's also about how you communicate with them, what notes you take and who has access to this information. This session offers students and advisers practical tips for protecting sources who might be targeted by school officials, law enforcement or other government agencies. Amy Sanders, Pennsylvania State University 10 a.m. Friday, Magnolia 7 NEWSGATHERING

Making Black history a beat, not just a month This session shows student journalists how to source, verify and incorporate Black history into their coverage year-round, drawing on two independent projects: one building a large-scale historical reference archive, the other preserving firsthand oral history interviews. Presenters will share practical frameworks for identifying overlooked figures, distinguishing verified fact from oral tradition and building editorial standards that hold up under scrutiny. The session covers pitching year-round diversity coverage to a newspaper, online or broadcast staff rather than treating it as a singlemonth assignment. Students will leave with a sourcing checklist and a story-pitch template for their own newsroom. George Daniels, University of Alabama 11 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon E-F

NEWSGATHERING

Performative DEI reporting and how to fix it Often tokenistic reporting has the inverse effect of perpetrating stereotypes, emphasizing traditional social dividers instead of analyzing how these characteristics shape daily life. Using the Granite Bay Gazette’s "Bounds Broken" initiative as a case study, this session teaches student journalists how to look past superficial DEI coverage and dig into authentic, unique lived experiences. Attendees will explore questions such as, "What constitutes a diverse experience?" and, "How can school newspapers foster openness through reporting?" You will learn how to uncover underreported angles — from living within food apartheid to navigating testing accommodations — within your community without falling into the trap of being “performative.” Adiva Mittal and Alexandra Speak, Granite Bay High School, California Noon Friday, Magnolia 1-2 NEWSGATHERING

Beyond 'heritage months': Real DEI reporting

Relying on a basic calendar of heritage months often traps student newsrooms into seasonal coverage rather than true, systemic representation. Using strategies from the Granite Bay Gazette, this session teaches editors how to dismantle the traditional "holiday checklist" approach and integrate diverse perspectives into everyday aspects of life; like sports, local business and culture. Using the Granite Bay Gazette's "Bounds Broken" initiative as a case study, attendees will learn how to build a year-round equity beat sheet that treats DEI as core community news instead of isolated events. Attendees will leave with a practical pitch framework to make inclusive reporting a permanent part of your newsroom's newsgathering. Adiva Mittal and Alexandra Speak, Granite Bay High School, California 1 p.m. Friday, Magnolia 1-2 LEADERSHIP & TEAM BUILDING

Different minds, better journalism

Just how inclusive is your newsroom? In this session, a journalism adviser and her student editor, who has autism, will share their experiences and examine what inclusion really looks like in a student newsroom. Using his experience as a starting point, they will tackle the tough questions and assumptions surrounding how we recruit, communicate, assign, edit and lead. The student voice will be at the heart of the presentation. He'll share what has helped him succeed, what has been challenging, and what he wishes advisers understood about working with students who think and communicate differently. Attendees will leave with practical ideas they can use to make their own newsrooms more welcoming, accessible and successful for a wider range of students. Come and join them for this important conversation. Deidrick Dickerson and April Moss, Pike High School, Indiana 2 p.m. Friday, Magnolia 7

SATURDAY LEADERSHIP & TEAM BUILDING

Inclusivity in the newsroom

In this session, student journalists will learn how to create inclusive classroom and interview spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color. Topics will include fostering psychological safety, recognizing implicit bias and conducting interviews where sources feel respected and comfortable sharing their perspectives on topics that may be difficult to discuss. Sophie Mahan, Westside High School, Nebraska 8 a.m. Saturday, Magnolia 1-2 INTERVIEWING

The art of inclusive interviewing

Strong interviews do more than gather quotes. They reveal experiences, perspectives and voices often overlooked in student media. This session explores practical interviewing techniques that help journalists expand their source pool, ask better questions and produce more accurate, inclusive and impactful storytelling. La Sana Groome, Wekiva High School, Florida 9 a.m. Saturday, Magnolia 1-2

JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

LEADERSHIP & TEAM BUILDING

Beyond diversity: How intercultural communication makes better journalism

Great journalism requires more than diverse sources — it requires the ability to understand and accurately communicate across cultural differences. Every reporter brings personal experiences, assumptions and cultural values into the reporting process, influencing the questions they ask, the stories they choose to tell and the way those stories are framed. This interactive session introduces student journalists to key principles of intercultural communication and demonstrates how they can strengthen reporting, interviewing and ethical decision-making. Participants will explore concepts such as cultural values, implicit bias, ethnocentrism, high- and lowcontext communication, and identity, while examining how these factors influence source relationships, news judgment and audience perception. They will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply in their own student media to tell stories that are both more representative and more accurate. Gabriella Bedoyan, Washington State University 10 a.m. Saturday, Magnolia 1-2 LEADERSHIP & TEAM BUILDING

Todos juntos: Everyone together

How has one school changed the yearbook culture for its community? The Torch staff at Orange Glen High School has changed the way they produce their content to serve the needs of their community. Multilingual, cross cultural coverage now drives everything that the Torch staff does. If you have wondered how you can make your coverage more accessible for your population, this is the session for you. Jessica Young, Orange Glen High School, California 11 a.m. Saturday, Magnolia 3

MARKETING & AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT

I am seen: Diversity-driven engagement

In this session, participants will explore how to cultivate diversity-driven media that increase viewership, bolster sales and create a positive culture. Participants will learn best practices for developing diversity data and implementing it within their own staffs. Bring a copy of your publication to this interactive dive into diversity and sales. Shannon Welch, CADY Studios, Florida Noon Saturday, Magnolia 3 NEWSGATHERING

Amplifying diverse student voices in community and campus news

As diversity dwindles from mainstream media, student journalists bear the responsibility of spotlighting underrepresented voices within their campus and community. If your goal is to cover diverse sectors of your local community, then this session is for you. Participants will learn how to elevate their writing with fact-finding techniques, approach sensitive interviews with care, uncover unheard stories and navigate boots-on-the-ground journalism with ease. This session combines actionable tips with engaging exercises to master the unique challenges of diverse coverage. Vedanti Patil, Westwood High School, Texas 1 p.m. Saturday, Magnolia 3

HOW TO RECEIVE THE DEI CERTIFICATE

Each session in the DEI certificate strand will provide a QR code that links to the official JEA DEI Certificate attendance form. Please complete the form promptly after each session you attend. If you attend and submit for at least four certificate sessions, you will earn the certificate. Eligible participants will receive their certificate by January 2026. COMMUNITY JOURNALISM BEYOND CAMPUS

How to cover fading traditions in a rapidly modernizing society

Between tall skyscrapers of Seoul are hidden historic homes and villages. This session will explore how students can find compelling stories about fading tradition and report on tensions between generational change and cultural preservation. Presenters will cover how to find fading culture in your cities and neighborhoods, the interview process, uncovering unexpected perspectives, and building stories around the people who are living through changes. The session will also discuss communities impacted by gentrification and displacement, and give time for students to brainstorm their own nuanced article pitch of local folk culture. Christine An and Jules Youn, Daegu International School, South Korea 2 p.m. Saturday, Magnolia 3

FOR STUDENTS FRIDAY NIGHT FUN: POOL PARTY

JEA NATIONAL JOURNALISM QUIZ BOWL

A quiz bowl-style competition with questions related to current events, pop culture, journalism and civics will be part of the convention fun. Preregistered teams will first take a qualifying test. The test scores will be used to seed the top teams that will compete in the live buzzer rounds Saturday morning. The list of qualifying teams will be posted by 11 a.m. Friday outside Crystal Salon Q and in the convention mobile app.

Join us on the Orlando World Center Marriott's pool deck for a special pool party. Activities will include assorted lawn games and a poolside movie screening. 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Falls Pool

QUALIFYING TEST

Registered four-person teams will first take an online qualifying test to seed the top teams. 8 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon C

FINALS

Four-person teams will compete in the live buzzer rounds. Come cheer on your school as a member of the audience. 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Crystal Salon C

TOP 5 JOURNA LISM SCHOOL

INVESTIGATIVE

SPORTS

DATA & AI

SOCIAL MEDIA

VIDEO PRODUCTION & DOCUMENTARY

TELL STORIES FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., AND ACROSS MARYLAND LEARN MODERN TOOLS THAT APPLY TO ANY FIELD SMALL COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY 36

PRACTICE REAL-WORLD MEDIA SKILLS FROM DAY ONE The University of Maryland's nationally renowned Philip Merrill College of Journalism provides elite training in the skills you need for a successful career in journalism, media and countless other fields. Here, at a small college, you’ll receive personalized attention from a forward-thinking faculty while capitalizing on all the benefits of a Big Ten university that ranks among the nation's best.

LEARN HOW TO BECOME

#MERRILLMADE merrill.umd.edu

@merrillcollege @MerrillCollegeUMD

Visit Northwestern Medill at Booth 309!

Talk with current students Enter our raffle Learn more about our college journalism program

CONGRATULATIONS

ADMI NISTRATOR

OF THE YEAR

WHERE

MEDAL OF

MERIT

Bill Woodard

Kaitlin Edgerton

Dos Pueblos High School, California

Stevenson High School, Michigan

SUNSHINE

MEETS

STUDENT JOURNALISM Celebrating These Extraordinary Advisers Who Lead by Example

MEDAL OF

MERIT

CARL TOWLEY

AWARD

Christina Hammitt

Laura Widmer

Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School for Boys, Michigan

National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA), Minnesota and Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)

With every page designed, photo taken and deadline met, they guide students to lead the way.

Come celebrate with us. Stop by booth #701! Spin the prize wheel, snap a picture at our photo station and connect with our team to see how we can help your stories shine this year.

RISI NG STAR

R ISING STAR

Hannah Shumsky Marrie

Tishtrya Cama

State College Area High School, Pennsylvania

Rock Hill High School, Texas

FOR ADVISERS NEW ADVISER CONVENTION ORIENTATION

Advisers at their first national convention should consider attending a short orientation meeting to get a general overview and explanation of convention events and how to get the most out of it. 6-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Crystal Salon J1

ADVISER WELCOME RECEPTION

After the keynote speech, all advisers are welcome to attend this reception to socialize with new colleagues and relax with longtime friends. New and first-time attendee advisers will have a chance to meet the local convention team, plus JEA and NSPA board members and staffs. Balfour & Co is sponsor for this event. 8:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Crystal Salon H

JEA Outreach Academy

Outreach Academy is a JEA initiative to promote diversity in the journalism teaching profession. This free, intensive seminar is for publication advisers and first-time convention grantees who want help teaching and advising students in journalism while dealing with issues surrounding diversity. The program is hands-on and focuses on practical information advisers need. Preregistration was required.

8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Boston, Hall of Cities

Certification test for CJE and MJE candidates

JEA CERTIFICATION STRAND

Do you plan to take the CJE or MJE exam in the near future or just want to be more knowledgeable about scholastic journalism education topics? These sessions will highlight topics in the JEA curriculum and prepare advisers for JEA certification. Learn more at JEA.org/certification.

GET CERTIFIED: NEWSGATHERING & MEDIA LITERACY

This session focuses on what advisers need to know about the basics of media literacy and the foundational concepts associated with newsgathering, in preparation for the CJE/ MJE certification exam. George Daniels, MJE, The University of Alabama 8 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon A

GET CERTIFIED: ADVISING STUDENT MEDIA

This session focuses on what advisers need to know about advising student media programs, in preparation for the CJE/MJE certification exam. The presentation will offer strategies for developing student leadership, structuring student media classes and overseeing student media programs, with Q&A to follow. Lauren Wagner, MJE, Zionsville Community High School, Indiana 9 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon A

GET CERTIFIED: WRITING & EDITING

This session focuses on what advisers need to know about journalistic writing and editing as it relates to teaching and advising media programs, in preparation for the CJE/MJE certification exam. RJ Morgan, MJE, University of Mississippi; Larry Steinmetz, MJE, Bullitt East High School, Kentucky 10 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon A

GET CERTIFIED: LAW & ETHICS

This session focuses on what advisers need to know about legal and ethical issues in student media, in preparation for the CJE/MJE certification exam. Sarah Nichols, MJE, Whitney High School, California 11 a.m. Friday, Crystal Salon A

GET CERTIFIED: BROADCAST

This session focuses on what advisers need to know about concepts associated with broadcast journalism, including the writing and production of broadcast scripts, in preparation for the CJE/MJE certification exam. George Daniels, MJE, The University of Alabama Noon Friday, Crystal Salon A

GET CERTIFIED: DESIGN

This session focuses on what advisers need to know about design fundamentals as they relate to teaching and advising media programs, in preparation for the CJE/MJE certification exam. Timm Pilcher, MJE, Drake University, Iowa 1 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon A

GET CERTIFIED: PHOTOJOURNALISM

This session focuses on what advisers need to know about photojournalism, in preparation for the CJE/MJE certification exam. Whether it’s learning how to improve coverage in your school, fine-tuning the content in your publications or improving your process, here is the place to find out what’s essential and how you can teach it, while becoming more prepared for certification testing. Rod Satterthwaite, MJE, Palo Alto High School, California 2 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon A

3-6 p.m. Friday, Los Angeles, Hall of Cities

National Student Media Contests judges' dinner and judging

Those who have agreed to judge JEA’s contests are invited to dinner before judging begins. Please check in at the door.

6 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon P

Photography and broadcast judging take place earlier in the day (information available on Page 45).

ADVISER LOUNGE

Meet with your colleagues from across the world in the convention adviser lounge. Refreshments will be provided. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Magnolia 6

Adviser recognition luncheon

Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Crystal Salon H

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

Share your convention photos

#nhsjc

HELLO, FRIEND. I’M PICTAVO. You dream of what your book, your magazine could be. We do, too. We give you the time, materials and people behind you to take it somewhere new. More Time. More Choices. One Deadline. Total Freedom.

We’re Your People

ShallWePictavo.com

Recent JEA certification and renewal recipients Master Journalism Educator Emeritus Mary Kay Downes, Virginia Linda A. Drake, Kansas Mitch Eden, Illinois Susan V. Everett, New Jersey Brenda W. Gorsuch, North Carolina Nancy Y. Smith, Missouri Stan Zoller, Illinois

Master Journalism Educator Sean Berleman, Palatine HS, Illinois Jason Block, Prospect HS, Illinois Christina Hammitt, Cranbrook Kingswood Middle School for Boys, Michigan April Moss, Pike HS, Indiana

Certified Journalism Educator Ryan Almon, Jostens Inc., Texas Courtney Bell, Jostens Inc., California Katrina Berry-Ivy, Tupelo HS, Mississippi Don Bott, Retired, California Neil Brubaker, Jostens Inc., Tennessee Daniel Carr, Ray Braswell HS, Texas Janelle Christensen, Two Rivers HS, Minnesota Taylor Crowley, Jostens Inc., Washington

Kelly Delgado, Randall HS, Texas Chelsea Dyke, Woodgrove HS, Virginia Jasinia Frausto, Canyon HS, Texas Shannon Grey, Florida Madison Lehmann, Pattonville HS, Missouri Hannah Marrie, State College Area HS, Pennsylvania David Miller, Jostens Inc., Texas Kristen Porter, Glenbrook South HS, Illinois Johnita Salerno, Jostens Inc., Texas Lauren Tauer, Avon HS, Indiana Amanda Thrun, Edwardsville HS, Illinois Ryan Tolbert, Hickman HS, Missouri Mandi Wiley, Jostens Inc., Arkansas

MJE renewals

Renée Burke, Retired, Florida Joe Humphrey, Sickles HS, Florida Patrick Johnson, Marquette University, Wisconsin Sarah Kirksey, Ladue Horton Watkins HS, Missouri Julieanne McClain, Rutherford B. Hayes HS, Ohio Sarah Nichols, Whitney HS, California Spencer O'Daniel, Kansas State University, Kansas Mallory Padgett, Leonard's Studios, Florida Michael Reeves, James Bowie HS, Texas Jayna Rumble, University of Chicago Laboratory HS, Illinois April van Buren, Madison East HS, Wisconsin Lizabeth Walsh, Jostens Inc., Nevada

CJE renewals

Meag Abo, Bryant Junior HS, Arkansas Kristy Blackburn, Henry M. Gunn HS, California Dean Bradshaw, Adlai E. Stevenson HS, Illinois John Carlisle, Granger HS, Utah Colin Chrestay, Walter B. Saul HS, Pennsylvania Gina Claus, Cresthill MS, Colorado Samantha Deane, Noblesville HS, Indiana Trisa Dyer, Denison HS, Texas Melissa Falkowski, Bremerton HS, Washington David Flanary, John Sevier MS, Tennessee Whitney Huang, The Harker School , California Dawn Huskey, Jostens Inc., Minnesota Tim Johnson, Cane Bay HS, South Carolina Christine Kaldahl, Millard South HS, Nebraska Dan Mueller, Varsity Yearbook, Missouri Stephanie Casso Perluss, West Covina HS, California Mary Prichard, North Kansas City HS, Missouri Aaron Ramponi, Appleton North HS, Wisconsin Lela Siegel, Brazoswood HS, Texas Ron Steinschriber, Ritenour HS, Missouri Leslie Stevens, Turner Ashby HS, Virginia Susan Szafranski, Second Draft Educational Consulting, Illinois Shanon Woolf, McIntosh HS, Georgia Rebeca Zimmermann, Albuquerque Journal, New Mexico

These individuals will be honored at the adviser recognition luncheon, Noon Saturday, Crystal Salon H. Learn more at jea.org/programs/certification.

WE ARE ALL STORYTELLERS At the Newhouse School, we empower the next generation of journalists and creators to tell stories that matter. From the newsroom to the studio to the stage, our students learn to connect, inform and inspire.

Scan the QR code to learn how Newhouse students bring stories to life. 42

PICTURED

Podcast host Gloria Rivera records “Canal Keepers”, one of many student projects that combine professional storytelling with real-world impact.

The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State provides the opportunities and resources of a large university with the personalized feel and support of a small school. As one of the largest accredited programs of its kind in the nation, students can find a place where they can fit and succeed. The Bellisario College offers programs in Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations, Film Production, Telecommunications and Media Industries, Media Studies, and a certificate in Sports Journalism. The Bellisario College is educating the next generation of innovative storytellers, and we can’t wait to be a part of your story!

JOIN US FOR

BELLISARIO COLLEGE

July 4-9, 2027

Bellisario Summer Camps offer high school students hands-on experience in communications fields. Students get to experience campus life, gain valuable communications related skills and make life-long friends.

BROADCAST JOURNALISM FILM PRODUCTION PODCASTING SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTENT CREATION VISUAL STORYTELLING @PSUBellisarioCamps

PSU Bellisario College Camps

Tuition: $1,700 | Early registration discount available! Include instruction, housing, food, program materials, field trips, and activities. Eligible applicants age 14-18 (as of July 1, 2027)

For more information & to apply visit bellisario.psu.edu/camps

UBR COM 27-127

Learn With The Times at Summer Academy Do you want the chance to practice real-world journalism and make lasting memories in New York City? Summer Academy from The School of The New York Times offers two-week courses for high school students taught by Times journalists, seasoned media professionals and academics. This is not just another summer program — it’s your opportunity to turn curiosity into action, meet other passionate students and gain skills that will set you apart. Limited full- and partial-tuition scholarships are available.

Scan here to claim your NSPA and Quill & Scroll $500 student member discount and start your application for summer 2027!

nsmc national student media contests Advisers: Check in at the National Student Media Contests desk in Sago/Sabal/Royal (Palms Ballroom) to pick up students’ contest ID labels. Make sure students have their contest ID labels before their contests are scheduled to meet. Note the contests that begin early Friday morning. Students will need to pick up their tickets by 8:15 a.m. Friday in order to be admitted to their 8:30 a.m. contests. The NSMC desk is open 1-7 p.m. Thursday and 8-10:30 a.m. Friday. Name substitutions must be made by noon Friday. Between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Friday, ID labels may be picked up in Crystal Salon Q.

Students: Please note the assigned time and room for your contest or critique. While most contests begin at 4 p.m. Friday, some broadcast contests will meet earlier in the day. Bring required equipment and supplies, as explained in rules at JEA.org/contests, and your contest ID label to the assigned room. Most contests and critiques will last two hours. Check the convention app in case there is a room change.

All NSMC activities take place Friday, Nov. 20

17 Yearbook Layout: Inside Pages critique, Canary 4, Palms Ballroom

8:30 a.m.

19 Literary Magazine: Layout critique, Magnolia 10

44 Broadcast Anchor, Atlanta, Hall of Cities 49 Person on the Street orientation, Denver, Hall of Cities

18 Yearbook Cover/Endsheets critique, Canary 4, Palms Ballroom 20 Literary Magazine: Poetry, Magnolia 13 21 Literary Magazine: Illustration, Magnolia 13

9 a.m.

22 Literary Magazine Photography, Magnolia 16

42 Video Package Editing, Los Angeles, Hall of Cities 43 Online News Package orientation, Anaheim, Hall of Cities 44 Broadcast Anchor presentations, Boston, Hall of Cities 46 Broadcast Package orientation, Chicago, Hall of Cities 49 Person on the Street, Denver, Hall of Cities

23 Graphic Design: Logo critique, Magnolia 19

1 p.m. 43/46 Online News Package & Broadcast Package VO room, Denver, Hall of Cities

24 Graphic Design: Infographics critique, Magnolia 20 25 Graphic Design: Advertising critique, Magnolia 19 26 Graphic Design: Illustration critique, Magnolia 21 27 Themed Photo critique, Crystal Salon G1 28 Sports Action Photography critique, Crystal Salon G1 29 Sports Feature Photography critique, Crystal Salon G1

4 p.m.

30 Feature Photography critique, Crystal Salon G1

01 Newswriting, Canary 1, Palms Ballroom 02 Editorial Writing, Magnolia 1-2 03 Feature Writing, Crystal Salon J1 04 Sports Writing, Canary 2, Palms Ballroom 05 Review Writing, Crystal Salon C 06 Editorial Cartooning, Atlanta, Hall of Cities 07 Commentary Writing, Crystal Salon K-L 08 News Editing/Headline Writing/Current Events, Crystal Salon M-N 09 Newspaper Layout critique, Canary 3, Palms Ballroom 10 Newsmagazine Layout critique, Canary 3, Palms Ballroom 11 Press Law and Ethics, Magnolia 3 12 Yearbook Copy/Caption: Sports, Magnolia 8-9 13 Yearbook Copy/Caption: Academics, Magnolia 11-12 14 Yearbook Copy/Caption: Clubs, Magnolia 14-15 15 Yearbook Copy/Caption: Student Life, Magnolia 17-18 16 Yearbook Layout: Theme critique, Canary 4, Palms Ballroom

31 General or Spot News Photography critique, Crystal Salon G1 32 Photo Story critique, Crystal Salon G1 33 Portfolio critique, Crystal Salon G1 34 Portrait Photo critique, Crystal Salon G1 35 First-Year Photo critique, Crystal Salon G1 36 Broadcast News Story critique, Magnolia 23-24 37 Broadcast Sports Story critique, Magnolia 23-24 38 Broadcast Feature Story critique, Magnolia 23-24 39 Broadcast Commercial/PSA critique, Magnolia 23-24 40 Videography critique, Magnolia 23-24 41 Podcast critique, Crystal Salon A 45 Broadcast Newswriting, Boston, Hall of Cities 47 Reporter Reel critique, Magnolia 23-24 48 Person on the Street critique, Magnolia 23-24

Judges Lead judges: Pick up materials between 1-3:30 p.m. Friday in Crystal Salon Q

Broadcast judges: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon B

Photography breakfast and judging: 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Crystal Salon D

NSMC judges’ dinner and judging: 6 p.m. Friday, Crystal Salon P

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

GREAT WOLF LODGE GRAPEVINE

•

Register: ybk.link/theme-retreat YOU CAME TO ORL ANDO LOOKING FOR IDEAS: THEME RETREAT IS WHERE YOUR STAFF TURNS THOSE IDEAS INTO DIRECTION. Advisers, bring your student editors together for a focused spring weekend to: Find the big idea behind your 2028 book Develop a sharper visual point of view Build a real game plan before fall deadlines set the pace

ybk.link/theme-retreat

• • •

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? This event is built for ambitious advisers and editors who want to push their program further. Your staff may already create a great book — or you may simply have the drive to get there.

INVEST IN NEXT YEAR

$200 per registrant, plus hotel and travel.

4.30 5.02 2 0 2 7

APRIL 30 – MAY 2, 2027

STEP AWAY THINK BIGGER

SPECIAL STRANDS MEDIA LAW CENTRAL

If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of student press rights and media law, consider attending sessions in this special strand, hosted by the Student Press Law Center and JEA Scholastic Press Rights Committee in Magnolia 10.

COMMUNITY JOURNALISM BEYOND CAMPUS

Interested in moving beyond the journalism classroom to make a larger impact on your local town or community? Or maybe you're curious about the best ways to increase awareness about national, regional or community issues back at school? Sessions in this strand aim to help student journalists and their advisers discover new ways to expand the potential of student media beyond campus.

LE ARN IT BY Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication oﬀers nine LIVING IT undergraduate majors: • Advertising • Audio and Live Entertainment • Communication • Communication Studies • Journalism

• Media Studies and Production • Public Relations • Sports Media • Virtual Media Management

STUDENTS IN OUR PROGR AM: • Learn the craft of world-class storytelling—from broadcast journalism and investigative reporting to the dynamic world of sports media. • Build skills in podcasting, sharpen your sports reporting, and bring stories to life through photojournalism courses oﬀered year-round. • Join a legacy of excellence alongside notable alumni like Tamron Hall, KLN ’92, and Kevin Negandhi, KLN ’98.

scan the QR to request more information about our programs or to schedule a visit

FRIDAY SCHEDULE Room

8 a.m.

9 a.m.

10 a.m.

11 a.m.

Anaheim

NSMC 43 Online Ne

HALL OF CITIES

Atlanta

NSMC 44 Broadcast Anchor orientation and workroom

HALL OF CITIES

Boston

NSMC 44 Broadcast Anchor presentations

HALL OF CITIES

Chicago

NSMC 46 Broadca

HALL OF CITIES

Denver

NSMC 49 Person on the Street

HALL OF CITIES

Los Angeles

NSMC 42 Video Package Editing

HALL OF CITIES

Crystal Salon A

Get Certified: Newsgathering and media literacy

Get Certified: Advising student media

Get Certified: Writing and editing

Crystal Salon B

NSPA/Quill & Scroll Student Advisory Board meeting

Navigating true crime in journalism

JEA CTE Committee meeting

JEA National Journalism Quiz Bowl qualifying test

Tips for recruiting staffers

CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon C CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon D

10 ways for staffs to be more organized

NSMC photography judging

CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon E-F

Get Certified: Law and ethics

Great editor = great leader

Oh, crop!

Take your yearbook program to the next level

Making Black history a beat, not just a month

Crystal Salon G1

Beyond the byline: Building a brand for your publication 

The 15 commandments of great video 

What is data reporting? 

AI literacy for your newsroom and your audience 

Crystal Salon J1

Building informative stories: The power of primary source evidence

Newsrooms as civic glue: Why student journalism matters to democracy

Reporting with vertical video

Visual and verbal connections

Crystal Salon K-L

Local politics 101: A guide for a student reporter

Who cares about science? Making STEM stories matter

Screenwriting: The cinematic blueprint for a film

Tech innovation made easy

Crystal Salon M-N

Incorporating financial data into articles

Find your ‘Cinderella’ story

Navigating the FYP professionally

Banquets 101: The best retention tool around

CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon P CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon Q CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Sago/Sabal/Royal PALMS BALLROOM

Break with a Pro

National Student Media Contests and Q

Registration check-in, trade show, information desk, merchandise distributio

Cypress 2

CYPRESS BALLROOM

Cypress 2 Alcove CYPRESS BALLROOM

JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

Session descriptions and speaker information can be found in the convention mobile app (see Page 5 for details). Noon

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

4 p.m.

Evening

NSMC 06 Editorial Cartooning

 SPECIAL EVENT  MEETING  CONTEST  REGISTRATION AND

ews Package

NSMC 45 Broadcast Newswriting

ast Package

INFORMATION

 FEATURED SPEAKER  MEDIA LAW CENTRAL  DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE  GOOD FOR BEGINNERS  ADVANCED TOPICS

NSMC 43/36 VO room Certification test for CJE and MJE candidates (3-6 p.m.)

Get Certified: Broadcast

Get Certified: Design

Get Certified: Photojournalism

NSMC 41 Podcasting critique

NSMC 05 Review Writing

NSMC broadcast judging Walk the walk: Leading by example

A cut above: Secrets for taking your yearbook from good to great

The hook: Building an opening theme package that hits

Coach, don’t correct: Feedback to student ownership

International school meet and greet

JEA mentors meeting

How data journalism can uncover hidden stories

Servant storytelling: How partnerships enhance a high school newsroom

Save your sanity: Calming the deadline chaos

The art of video storytelling 

Covering breaking news 101 

What you should know about press freedom 

NSMC 27-35 Photography critiques

Adding audio storytelling to enhance your multimedia

Next steps: Turning your media passion into a college path

Make your yearbook classroom the place to be

NSMC 03 Feature Writing

Jumpstart your journalism job journey

To be or not to be: Grappling Can’t take my eyes off of you: with take-down requests Captivating front page design

NSMC 07 Commentary Writing

Got questions? JEA contests Q&A

Lessons from the Pulitzer

NSPA on-site media critiques

Setting your staff up for success

NSMC 08 News Editing/ Current Events/Headline Writing

NSMC judges’ dinner

Quiz Bowl headquarters, NSMC check-in 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

on, NSMC check-in, Best of Show desk NSPA Best of Show judging Publication exchange Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

FRIDAY SCHEDULE Room

8 a.m.

9 a.m.

Beginning Photoshop

Advanced Photoshop

Canary 2

Before you publish: Protect trust under pressure

Organization is a superpower

Canary 3

The sports photos you need and want, even without fancy equipment

The eyes have it: Portrait photography skills

Canary 4

An unexpected history of sports media

Bro … the struggle is real

Why are my photos so … ? Resolving conflict, crises and chaos

Thumbnails 101: Designing for your audience Stop making good stories look bad Theme through a student’s eyes

Communicating across differences: Why and how

Lost in translation: Interviewing immigrants

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JEA membership meeting

JEA state directors meeting

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Student press freedom 101

Get help with censorship: SPRC open forum Scholastic and youth journalism census Building journalistic foundations in yearbook Pirates of the Hunger Games: How to lead Getting photographers to understand the assignment Swipe the best ideas: Steal like a pro

Canary 1

PALMS BALLROOM PALMS BALLROOM PALMS BALLROOM PALMS BALLROOM

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

 SPECIAL EVENT  MEETING  CONTEST

10 a.m.

11 a.m.

Building a strong social media strategy for student media Oust opinion from your writing

Creating stylized leads and mastering the 300-word story Finding your unconventional path in communications

Sell yourself: Ad and sponsorship sales for publications

Up your sports media game

Empathy, employability and visual journalism How to ask the government any question and get an answer Elevating, validating skills with student badges

On the record: A press conference with an editor Fearless: Taking the fear out of competition Let’s investigate our school

Updated AP seminar module: Journalism, media and democracy

Newspaper editor-in-chief roundtable

Secrets and safeguards: Protecting confidential sources

Do we really still need a free press in the AI era?

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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Creativity and structure: The year-long literary magazine class

Visual storytelling

You found that idea where?

Leadership at the movies

Roadmap for recruitment

Multiple pubs, multiple staffs, no problem

Data journalism: How to turn numbers into stories Call the shots: Guiding photographers

From newsroom to network

Using critiques to better your broadcast Turn social media into a storytelling toolkit Find balance: Empower student leaders Sports storytelling: Separating stat from story

Reel life: A guide to building your social media Push it real good: Marketing made easy Journalism etiquette: The stuff nobody teaches you C.R.A.P. design: Rules for every great page

How to get the most out of a small and inexperienced staff The newsroom machine: Building productivity Trust the process: Ditch the ladder Finding the nugget: Writing profiles through observational journalism

Magnolia 17-18

Talk to strangers: How to overcome social fear for news interviews

Magnolia 19

Culture club: Build your dream team

MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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Capturing Friday night lights Yes! You can pursue press freedom in private schools Using your podcast to expand your audience Dihydrogen monoxide: Would you publish this? Writing a better broadcast package Use MAESTRO: Session for broadcast and yearbook Write so solid your editor can’t touch this

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

Managing a class as a student editor Can I use this photo? How to avoid the copyright bots Expand your reach: Add columnists and podcasters

Finding your design style

Not for squares: Mastering the exposure triangle A designer’s guide to yearbook theme in 2027

Make your writing groovy Gaining confidence as an adviser Building and maintaining a strong broadcast program at private schools

JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

Session descriptions and speaker information can be found in the convention mobile app (see Page 5 for details).

 REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION  FEATURED SPEAKER  MEDIA LAW CENTRAL  DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE  GOOD FOR BEGINNERS  ADVANCED TOPICS Noon

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

Yearbook copy matters

Building the book: The yearbook ladder

Streamline your photo workflow with Lightroom

Advanced editing in Lightroom

Never mind generative AI, here’s extractive AI Build your career: From first clip to first job

How to score great sports stories

10 need-to-knows to break into sports journalism

So you want to be a sports journalist?

Good staffs don’t just happen

Making Black history a beat, not just a month

Beyond heritage months: Real DEI reporting

Sanity on surging sidelines

JOY ready: How to prepare for Journalist of the Year

The deep dive: Long-form journalism in a short-attention-span world

Small school, big program

Be the best team player: Communication strategies that matter

Improving your sports photography Review a movie, review the world Ditching safety: The art of unconventional shots How to cover sports news and features

4 p.m.

NSMC 01 Newswriting NSMC 04 Sports Writing NSMC 09 & 10 Newspaper & Newsmagazine Layout NSMC 16-18 Yearbook Layout critiques NSMC 02 Editorial Writing

NSMC 11 Press Law and Ethics

Adviser lounge

Advisers’ legal roundtable

Social media best practices for student media

Different minds, better journalism

Shoot like an editor

How to write award-winning leads that pull readers into your story

Chilling effects and self-censorship issues How to cover politics in divided times

New Voices: Advocating for student press freedom Guard your glow: How to lead without burning out 10 habits of a highly effective editor

Imagine it differently: Turning words into video How to get information through public records

NSMC 19 Literary Magazine: Layout

The work behind the reporter

NSMC 13 Yearbook Copy/Captions: Academics

Writing five-star film criticism

NSMC 20 & 21 Literary Magazine: Poetry & Illustration

Making yearbook marketing and sales fun AND profitable Using art and museums in visual journalism Proofreading pro: Catch errors before readers do

NSMC 14 Yearbook Copy/Captions: Clubs

NSMC 22 Literary Magazine: Photography

Reporting on tragedy

Finding our voice: Student press, leadership and collaboration

NSMC 23 & 25 Graphic Design: Logo & Advertising critiques

Rewrite your inner headline

The ethics of GenAI in journalism

The ethics of visual journalism

NSMC 24 Graphic Design: Infographics critique

The other stuff: Photographing the whole story

Finding profits in a sea of costs

The ultimate Swiss army knife: Why employers love journalism majors

NSMC 26 Graphic Design: Illustration critique

From storytelling skills to college applications Covering sports on deadline: From the press conference

From announcements to actual news Three things that we can control: The basics of yearbook photography

Up your interview game Watch DJ Krakenn build a Wordpress portfolio Level up your theme: From idea to identity Safe, prepared, responsible, ethical: A code for student media Yearbook is fun: How to make your classroom more interactive

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

Wait … I can get paid for this? The adviser playbook: What I wish someone had told me How to write a five-star review

NSMC 12 Yearbook Copy/Captions: Sports

NSMC 15 Yearbook Copy/Captions: Student Life

Filmmaking: It takes a village Maximizing your college journalism path

NSMC 36-40, 47-48 Multimedia & Broadcast critiques 51

SATURDAY SCHEDULE Room

8 a.m.

9 a.m.

10 a.m.

Anaheim

From survival to success: Roadmap and real talk for new advisers

Atlanta

When you become the story: Lessons from the other side of the notebook

Beyond the sidewalk: Reporting barriers to access

Searching for adjectives and other tips for taking great photos

Boston

Seeing the bigger picture: BTS of a student-led photo department

JEA Certification Committee meeting

Right place, wrong time: Sports photography tips

JEA Digital Media Committee meeting

JEA DEI meeting

Turn the microphone around: What does press freedom mean to you?

HALL OF CITIES HALL OF CITIES HALL OF CITIES

Chicago

HALL OF CITIES

Elevate your video stories [TWO-BLOCK SESSION]

Denver

Adobe certification testing

HALL OF CITIES

Los Angeles

Work it out: Sharpening student skills

Growing your program

The power of proximity: Turning local stories into opinion articles

Crystal Salon A

How to write award-worthy opinion articles

Beyond New Voices: Protecting student journalism in private schools

Journalism as CTE

Crystal Salon B

Jack of all trades: Write across all sections of a news site

From nothing to noticed: Building a yearbook program from the ground up

Humans of [city]: Compelling feature writing

HALL OF CITIES

CRYSTAL BALLROOM CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon C CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon D CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon E-F CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon G1 CRYSTAL BALLROOM

JEA National Journalism Quiz Bowl finals Beat the clock: A blueprint for meeting your deadlines

Telling a different story

Anchor in the storm: Student leadership during an adviser swap

Tips for photographing sports

The power of light

Improving publication photography

Making the most of college as a journalism student

Making the most of your college years before you even start

What you should know about press freedom 

Y’all lead the way: Five practices of exemplary student leadership

People over publication

The key to stories: How to ask good questions

Creating community in classrooms

Make the most of modules

Creating a culture of fun

Crystal Salon H CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon J1 CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon K-L CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon M-N CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon P CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Crystal Salon Q CRYSTAL BALLROOM

Workshop: Mobile journalism on a shoestring budget [TWO-BLOCK SESSION]

SPA roundtabl NSPA on-site media critiques

National Student Media Contests and Quiz Bowl head

Palms Registration Desk Cypress 2

CYPRESS BALLROOM

Registration check-in a NSPA Best of Show judging

Cypress 2 Alcove CYPRESS BALLROOM

JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

Session descriptions and speaker information can be found in the convention mobile app (see Page 5 for details).

11 a.m.

Noon

1 p.m.

How to build a compelling story [TWO-BLOCK SESSION] Avoid mayhem, like me More than both sides: Redefining objectivity

Storytelling for reader understanding

Directing the actor: Creating and shaping unforgettable characters

How to navigate and edit a SNO website

Making your publication unique: Serving your audience

2 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

Applying multimedia design to online publications

 SPECIAL EVENT  MEETING  CONTEST  REGISTRATION AND

Stop reviewing vibes: How a musician writes a music review

Edit smarter: A practical order of operations for better editing

Working with administrators to cover social demonstrations

Who says I can’t?: A story of progress and persistence

Building the story: Developing a strong yearbook theme

Theme complexity: How to take your theme to the next level

How to conduct interviews beyond campus

Intro to Lightroom and Photoshop: Color correction and photo editing

INFORMATION

 FEATURED SPEAKER  MEDIA LAW CENTRAL  DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE  GOOD FOR BEGINNERS  ADVANCED TOPICS

Organizing all the stuff The importance of social media in preinterview preparation

Documentary screening: ‘Fred Ross: American Agitator’ [TWO-BLOCK SESSION] Game plan to cash flow Leveling up your sports social media YBK: Weekly coverage that works JEA Awards Committee meeting

Adviser recognition luncheon

JEA board follow-up

Own media day: Taking sports portraits that pop

Unlock Photoshop: Level up your edits

dquarters, NSMC check-in 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

and information desk NSPA awards ceremony

Publication exchange Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

SATURDAY SCHEDULE Room

Canary 1

PALMS BALLROOM

Canary 2

PALMS BALLROOM

Canary 3

PALMS BALLROOM

Canary 4

PALMS BALLROOM

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

8 a.m.

9 a.m.

10 a.m.

The big story others missed

Good vibes: ‘Tell it like it is’ coverage for yearbooks

Big product, small budget

And the award goes to …

Top advisers discuss broadcast trends

More than a gamer:  Using public records in sports reporting

Best of the best broadcast

Sports photography tips from a pro  Telling your story: Tips for college-going

Hazelwood untold [TWO-BLOCK SESSION] Inclusivity in the newsroom

The art of inclusive interviewing

Beyond diversity: How intercultural communication makes better journalism

Going with the (work)flow

Pick me, pick me: Student journalism skills that stand out

Ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence use

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Adviser lounge

MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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Let’s play the yes-or-no game: Good questions, good stories

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Floodlines: Looking back to move forward

Magnolia 10

JEA Scholastic Press Rights Committee meeting

The ABCs of L-I-B-E-L

Fighting the good fight

Magnolia 11-12

Leaning into the L: Design templates that aren’t square

Make your opinion heard

Ins and outs of emotional broadcast storytelling

Beginning InDesign

Advanced InDesign

Don’t chase the algorithm: Build an audience you own

Ink, ideas and influence: How to be the editor everyone trusts

3x coverage that counts: Show your school some love

All about aperture

Digital mapmaking for beginners

99 problems and censorship is every one

Jolene, please don’t steal my theme: Yearbook lessons and laughs

Tough topics, smart strategies: Navigating controversial stories

From strangers to game changers: Tips for building staff culture

MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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Create an op-ed idea with America’s first nationwide student newspaper

How to become a paid, syndicated student journalist

Workshop: Anatomy of a feature [TWO-BLOCK SESSION] 

Adaptability is now an actual job in journalism

Be the head writing coach Leadership lessons from life

Social media: From coverage to connection

Meeting students where they scroll: Enhancing student engagement

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Tips to improve your live sports broadcast

Level up your hype videos and edits

It’s giving editor

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Your future with AI: Skills you’ll need to succeed

It’s cool to be friends

What you do matters

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Don’t ‘Klingon’ to old systems: How to build the ‘Next Generation’ of leaders

Jump into the ‘creator journalism’ ecosystem

Storyteller careers: What’s after high school?

Taking the lead in two minutes

Behind the feed: More than just a social media post

Better every deadline

MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS MAGNOLIA ROOMS

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MAGNOLIA ROOMS

JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

Session descriptions and speaker information can be found in the convention mobile app (see Page 5 for details). 11 a.m.

Noon

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

Showstopper photography

Using AI as a tool, not a cheat, for your yearbook

Behind the pitch: How PR pros are using AI

When everything goes wrong: How PR handles a crisis

Five tips to master challenging interviews

10 tips to create a summer media camp

Southern storytelling Finding stories with heart: Cinematic broadcast storytelling 

I’m working late because I’m an editor

From street to screen: Mastering on-the-go interviews

News hidden in plain sight

AI in the newsroom: Smarter tools, stronger student journalism

For future reference: Yearbook reference pages

That’s very data-driven of you

The write partnership: The secret to effective cowriting

Vertical video: Producing handheld local news

Todos juntos: Everyone together

I am seen: Diversity-driven engagement

Amplifying diverse student voices in community and campus news

How to cover fading traditions in a rapidly modernizing society

This might hurt you to hear …

AI can be good, but you can be great

Pages that pop: Student newspaper design

Tell it a different way

Writing for broadcast

Broadcast stories that work

Evidence-based, ethical mental health reporting

Doing it all: Leading multiple publications with a small staff size

Updates on AI and student media law

Get help with censorship: SPRC open forum

Enacting a New Voices bill in your state

Covering protests safely and effectively

Don’t run away from covering controversy

Mod squad: Every story, every spread

The numbers know something you don’t

What the scoreboard doesn’t tell you

Make me care: The psychology behind what gets attention

A quick introduction to news writing [TWO HOURS]

Making the most of your NSPA and Quill & Scroll memberships

How to ask better questions as a sports reporter

Chasing controversy, igniting discussions

Context clues: Captions write themselves

Kern down for what: Advanced type design

Covering emergencies

Finding other angles: Tips for unique coverage

Creating 500 newsworthy ideas is easy, actually

Transitioning from ideas to impact: How to create a platform

Power up your staff

Colorful storytelling: Verbal into vivid design

How to increase interactivity on your SNO website

Lead, inspire, deliver: Growing your yearbook dream team

Leading as a managing editor of your yearbook publication

Unscripted: The art of live TV storytelling

Extra, extra! Making teens read all about it

Converge and conquer: Level up your student media

The manual for manual mode

Write right

Never going back to last year’s ladder

Think bigger: Turning trends Into theme

Building leaders who leave a legacy

Ask about the alpaca

One day, one story: How to write an article in 24 hours

Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

Data to depiction: Visualizing numbers, maps and interactive graphics

Getting the interview: How to reach and question experts

 SPECIAL EVENT  MEETING  CONTEST  REGISTRATION AND INFORMATION

 FEATURED SPEAKER  MEDIA LAW CENTRAL  DIVERSITY CERTIFICATE  GOOD FOR BEGINNERS  ADVANCED TOPICS

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JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

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Fall 2026 | Orlando #nhsjc

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THE TRUTH LIVES HERE

JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention

April 15-17, 2027

The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites

spring.journalismconvention.org