Join Us in LA
NSPA Spring Convention, Apr 13-17, 2016
National Scholastic Press Association Spring Convention
This year’s convention in Los Angeles will draw thousands of student journalists from across the United States. Students will be able to hear from top-notch speakers, like Jose Antonio Vargas (founder of Define American) and Jacob Soboroff (MSNBC correspondent), do some sight-seeing and interact with professionals.
By arriving on Wednesday, we will have the opportunity to go sight-seeing. On Thursday, students will attend pre-convention workshops. On Friday and Saturday, students will attend sessions of their choice covering such topics as writing, reporting, design, multimedia journalism, online journalism, photography and more. Students may also sign up for critiques and “break with a pro” sessions.
Free State Parents: Email Laurie L. Folsom at lfolsom@usd497.org.

Flight Information- Southwest Airlines
Airport: KCI
Flight #2052 (non-stop)
Depart KCI at 7:30 a.m.
Arrive at LAX at 9 a.m.
Sun, April 17
Airport: KCI
Flight #1645 (non-stop)
Depart LAX 7:35 a.m.
Arrive at KCI at 12:45 p.m.
Guidebook App
JEA/NSPA Spring 2016 has gone mobile using Guidebook.
We encourage you to download our mobile guide to enhance your experience at the National High School Journalism Convention in Los Angeles. You’ll be able to plan your day with a personalized schedule and browse exhibitors, maps and general show info.
The app is compatible with iPhones, iPads, iPod Touches and Android devices. A Web version of the guide is also available.
Hotel
Continental Breakfast provided.
Days Inn Hollywood
7023 Sunset Blvd
Hollywood, CA 90028
Thursday Workshops
1. PMC Branding- w/ Samantha (9 - 12:30pm)
2. Photo Shoot Management (1-5pm)
Jake Clark
1.UCLA Film School (8- 12pm)
Jackson Barton
1. Mobile Video Journalism Boot Camp (8:30- 5pm)
Drake & Ali
1. Team Storytelling (8:30- 5pm)
Chloe Board
1. Writers Workshop (8:30am - 4pm)
Caitlin Dodd
1. USC (9:30 - 1pm)
Samantha Travis
1. PMC Branding (9 - 12:30pm)
NSPA Spring Convention Field Trip
Wednesday, April 13th, 7am to Sunday, April 17th, 12pm
404 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA
NOTE: Wireless Internet access is not included in the guest room rate at the Westin Bonaventure. High-speed access is available for $12.95 per day.
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Reserve your space ASAP
At least 8 FS students must sign up to fill 2 quad occupancy rooms. FS students reserve their space by submitting Payment 1 on a first come, first go basis.
Payment Schedule
Payment 2*, Mar 21: $240 (covers hotel)
Payment 3*, Apr 6: $240 (covers registration, ground transport & entertainment)
Total: $880
*Make checks payable to Free State Journalism & submit to the FS bookkeeper's window
**Also will need name as appears on photo identification and date of birth.
Payment in full can be made by sending a check payable to your school for $880 by Feb 12.
Making Dollars and Sense of It
Convention Registration: $115/including pre-convention workshops
Lodging for 3 nights: $251 (could fluctuate)
Dodger or Grammy tickets & t-shirt: $43
Ground Transport: $70 (each way from airport to hotel & hotel to airport)
Round Trip Airfare: $400 (could fluctuate, currently based on a Southwest Airlines & Travelocity comparisons)
Total: $880
Additional Expenses Not Covered by Payments
Money for meals and other incidentals: Depends on the student
Agenda
Wednesday-Leave Kansas, Arrive in LA
Thursday- Pre-convention Workshop & sightseeing
Friday & Saturday- a.m. workshops, p.m. Return to Kansas
Convention Brochure | Jose Antonio Vargas Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and filmmaker whose work centers on the changing American identity. He is the founder of Define American, a nonprofit media and culture organization that seeks to elevate the conversation around immigration and citizenship in America, and he is the founder and editor of #EmergingUS, a digital magazine focusing on race, immigration and identity in a multicultural America. | Jacob Soboroff Jacob Soboroff is an MSNBC correspondent. Before joining MSNBC in 2015, he hosted Vanity Fair’s coverage of its 2015 Oscar Party, which he executive produced with Embassy Row Productions. In 2014, Soboroff hosted “YouTube Nation,” YouTube’s daily clip show produced by DreamWorks Animation, and co-hosted “TakePart Live,” Pivot’s nightly news and talk show, which he also produced. |