Looking particularly sharp in their best convention outfits, 16 Mounties who aspire to careers in communications embarked on a journey this past November 8th to the Philadelphia Marriott to attend Journalism Education Association’s fall national convention—“For the Love of Journalism”
Accompanied by Mrs. Michelle Fabrey, adviser to The Campanile, Mrs. Bonita Huggins, Vice President of Communications & Enrollment Marketing, and Ms.Tu Le, Communications and Media Manager, Mounties gained advice on how to improve their journalism program and how to handle a future career in journalism.
Students had the opportunity to speak to representatives from universities with top journalism programs such as Northwestern Medill, Elon University, Boston University, Pennsylvania State University Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, and Syracuse University on the trade show floor. In addition, many yearbook companies wooed student journalists with fun interactive stations that included games and swaggy prizes.
The bulk of the day consisted of sessions by some of the nation’s best high school journalism teachers.
“It was really cool to see student journalists all over the United States come together to share a common love of journalism,” Violet Binczewski ‘26 said about a session called “KO Misinfo
At the same time, Nora Benamar ‘27, Cecilia Esbensen ‘27, Lucia Mascaro ‘27, and Lily Guckert ‘27 went to a session titled, “How to Make Marketing Fun”, and picked up on some ways to bring a sense of excitement into Mount’s journalism program.
“I had a lot of fun today. I thought it was really good in teaching me that there’s more to journalism than just what I thought there was.” Esbensen said.
Lucia Mascaro ‘27 also attended a session titled “Ten Steps to Better Your First Draft”, which gave students advice on how to go about writing their first drafts, so that it helps their final drafts more.
“I learned that you need to give a reason to keep your readers engaged, it is so important for your writings to be important so they don’t lose interest,” Mascaro said.
Violet Binczewski along with Julia Burdik headed to the “How to be a Multimedia Journalist” session where NBC news reporters, Ashton Jackson and Jay Valle presented stories about their lives and common problems or situations they have faced as journalists.
Putting you in their shoes, the reporters provided answered to problems they have faced personally.
“If you crack down on your writing you will succeed so far” Jey Valle, NBC reporter said.
For lunch, Mounties walked across the street to the Reading Terminal Market where they then buddied up and perused the many options, some buying donuts from Beiler Donuts, some pastrami sandwiches from Hershel’s East Side Deli, and, of course, classic Philly cheesesteaks.
Emma Meng ‘26 attended the “Battling Science Misinformation” session where attendees learned how to spread true information that makes sense.
“I thought it was very helpful and also motivating for my future work.” Meng said in an email.
Because of the session titled “Up Your interview Game”, Abby Porter ‘27 is beginning
a project that involves interviewing Mount athletes after their sports games.
“I was very inspired by the class, it inspired me to not be afraid to reach out for interviews. It also gave me new ideas for how to interview people as well as conducting a first draft” Porter said.
“I was most inspired to see people come from all different parts of the country. Just seeing how far people travel just to come to this convention really inspired me and showed me how passionate people are in their writing” Anna Oberdoester ‘27 said.
Above all, Mounties agree that the “for the love of journalism” theme was prominent in every session they attended—hence, inspiring everyone to take their work even further.
