JEA Georgia Updates - November
Fall recap and looking ahead to spring.
Is it sweater weather yet?
Dear JEA Georgia colleagues,
It's been just under two months since I last wrote, but I'm grateful I was able to see so many of you in Athens for the Georgia Scholastic Press Association's Fall Conference on Oct. 24.
Kudos to GSPA Director Stephanie Moreno for her planning, coordination and implementation that yielded an amazing day for more than 800 scholars and teachers from across our state. Stephanie was grateful for the participation and quality of the programming.
"It was exciting to see conference attendance back up to pre-pandemic levels. The enthusiasm of Georgia’s scholastic journalists was palpable. I hope students and teachers felt inspired, gained some insights and sparked new friendships," Moreno said.
Please view the photo gallery and the social both photos. You can also find winners of the On-the-Spot Photo, Social Media and First Edition contests.
If you were in attendance, Stephanie is eager to collect feedback with this brief survey. You are encouraged to share the survey with staff members who attended the event.
As we look ahead to the rest of the semester, allow me to share some opportunities for enrichment and engagement.
All the best,
DR
Boston Convention
If you were in Boston this weekend, please share your photos and any accolades earned on our Facebook group or share them with me directly.
Diversity pathway
Four easy steps to earn your Diversity badge at the convention
Check out JEA's resources
JEA Advisers Institute
JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention
Southern Interscholastic Press Association
Out-of-state spring enrichment opportunities
The Southern Interscholastic Press Association Annual Convention is held the first weekend of March in Columbia, South Carolina. Students and advisers attend sessions taught by national award-winning instructors, students in the field, as well as professionals and collegiate instructors. Students also compete in on-site competitions and enjoy social and networking opportunities with other students. Not only are students able to network, but advisers from the Southeast are able to connect and talk shop. You can find out more information by viewing the SIPA website or connecting with SIPA Interim Director Nina Brook.
The Spring National High School Journalism Convention is April 4-6, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Sheraton and Westin at Crown Center. The convention offers hundreds of instructional sessions, keynote speakers from national newsmakers, dozens of media critiques, JEA’s popular on-site media contests and the announcement of NSPA national winners for Pacemaker Awards and Individual Awards. NSPA also offers a convention Best of Show competition that celebrates current student media work.
There will be dozens of sponsoring vendors at an exhibit area in the primary gathering space. Sponsors include companies with products and services for student media, educational institutions marketing to prospective students and organizations seeking to connect with the scholastic journalism community. Free goodies for kids and adults - don't miss out!
Another important convention coming next year is for advisers only (no students) and will take place in the summer as one of JEA's signature professional development events. The JEA Advisers Institute will be held July 15-18, 2024 in Providence, Rhode Island. This is a great program for all types of teachers with any level of experience or for advising any type of media. Complete info about Advisers Institute is available here. Personally, I've been able to attend the last two years and it's quickly become one of my favorite summer events because I can focus on my own professional development without managing my students -- and it's fun to meet new journalism teachers from all around the country for idea-sharing and networking!
SIPA 2023
SIPA 2023
SIPA 2022
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Curriculum Newsletter
JEA would love to spotlight others - I'd love to spotlight Georgia advisers featured - in upcoming newsletters. Here is the Google Form for that.
State Directors' Reports
State Directors' Reports
Thanks to all who sent in their student and personal success stories in September. I was able to send in the Georgia State Repor. JEA VP Justin Daigle compiled the JEA semiannual report, which is now posted on the JEA website here. If you have a moment, check it out and see the amazing things from our colleagues in Georgia and from across the nation.
Keep your eye out for my request for programmatic and adviser success in March.
A call for veteran mentors
GSPA upcoming events
The Georgia Scholastic Press Association recognizes the top student journalist in the state with the Georgia Champion Journalist Award each year. The winner receives a cash prize and represents the state in the Journalism Education Association's National Journalist of the Year competition.
GSPA received 10 entries for the senior competition and seven for the junior competition this year, which is down from 22 overall entries last year, but higher than the traditional 12-15 historical average.
Disha Kumar, co-editor-in-chief for The Messenger newsmagazine at Northview High School in Johns Creek, Georgia, was named the 2023 Georgia Champion Journalist of the Year by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association. Melanie Frick, co-editor-in-chief for Cedar Shoals High School’s BluePrints Magazine, was the runner-up in the competition.
In addition to the senior-level Georgia Journalist of the Year contest, GSPA honors the top high school junior journalist in the state. Maya Clement, Managing Editor for Clarke Central High School’s ODYSSEY Media Group, was selected as the Georgia Junior Champion Journalist winner. Anna Shaikun, Digital editor for Clarke Central’s ODYSSEY Media Group, was the runner-up.
Entrants for Georgia Champion Journalist must be seniors, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have at least two years of journalism experience, and plan to major in journalism in college. They must submit an official transcript and three letters of recommendation, among other requirements.
The 2024 Georgia Champion Journalist and Junior Champion Journalist competitions require entrants to complete an online portfolio of their work following specific guidelines. It is important for entrants to thoroughly review the JEA guidelines for portfolios. (Do NOT submit an entry to the JEA contest, as only the state winner is allowed to be entered). It is also helpful to review the judging rubric.
It is highly recommended that entrants view this JEA JOY Guidelines video.
The deadline for both the Champion Journalist and Junior Champion Journalist Awards is Jan. 21, 2024.
Disha Kumar
Melanie Frick
Anna Shaikun and Maya Clement
GSPA Spring Workshop
GSPA will commend the work of yearbook and literary magazine staffs during an awards program Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. The celebration will feature General Excellence competition rankings and Individual Award winners from the summer 2023 contests.
GSPA's Spring Workshop and Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024. The event will feature morning sessions from 9 a.m. to noon, which will be followed by a catered luncheon with a keynote speaker and awards.
Details will be posted in January at https://www.ugagspa.org/workshop-awards.