WHS students attended Journalism Day at the University of Missouri last Wednesday and gained valuable experience and knowledge while also receiving awards for submitted work.
The purpose of Journalism Day, or "J-Day" as the students refer to it, is to spotlight high school journalist's work and possibly reward them for it. Most of all, journalists get the option to learn from many different colleagues in the field, along with professors from different universities. There were 52 different schools in attendance from all over the state who attended the day, therefore allowing journalists to connect in different ways.
“My favorite part about J-Day was getting to learn about journalism and being in sessions with people who have the same interest in it that I do,” Warsaw junior Editor-in-Chief Keira Mostaffa commented.
Additionally, advisors who attend with their classes are also benefited in many ways.
“J-Day is a chance for me to network with other advisors to learn from presenters to improve the quality of our program at WHS,” Ozark Echoes and The Wildcat Advisor Amanda Adler said. "This event also provides opportunities for staff writers and editors of the school publications to learn leadership skills in seminars."
Students, however, are still the main benefactors of the day.
“Personally, J-Day helps me better understand my role on the yearbook staff. The professors who present other seminars give good advice to especially help in the future, and lead to success,” sophomore Staff Writer Brennen Slavens stated.
The itinerary for J-Day began with an early 8:00 AM introduction and welcome from guest speaker from the Kansas City Star, Hannah Wise. Students then attended three different 50-minute seminars.
The seminars were primarily taught around a college level and presented informally. Students attended different seminars, including: broadcasting, interviewing, photography and more. Later on, at the end of the day, all students met back in the auditorium for the awards ceremony.
More staff writers benefited from different seminars they attended.
“Attending J-Day gives me more opportunities to learn different angles to take during a sports game or story," junior staff writer Carter Howell said. "Personally, I tend to do more sports stories because that's what I prefer and enjoy, so being able to connect with others and be educated by good professors sets me up for success.”
For awards, samples of the students' best work is submitted and then reviewed by judges hired by the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association (MIJA).
Students are then awarded within the school size, by class, as honorable mention, excellent, superior or All-Missouri. Along with The Show-Me awards that are given to the top submissions in the contest (regardless of the school size). Over 1,500 submissions were received this year, making the competition ever-so difficult for judges.
Many staff members of The Wildcat newspaper and Ozark Echoes yearbook were rewarded in respective categories.
The Wildcat newspaper was awarded with All-Missouri overall, along with The Wildcat Online being awarded with Superior as well.
The Ozark Echoes yearbook staff was awarded with Excellent as a whole.
Individual awards for WHS included:
All-Missouri: Ashlynn Adams - Academic Photography; Madyson Reimund - News Feature Writing; Grace Drake - News Feature Writing and Sports Action Photography; Keira Mostaffa - News Feature Writing and Sports Action Photography.
Superior: Ashlynn Adams - Yearbook Writing; Aubree Smith - News Feature Writing; Madyson Reimund - News Feature Writing.
Excellent: Sarah Gilbert - Yearbook Traditional Package - Academic; Haylee Cobb - Yearbook Traditional Package - Student Life; Brennen Slavens - Yearbook Traditional Package - Club/Organizations; Samantha Harr - Academic Photography.
Honorable Mention: Brylee Brewster - Yearbook Traditional Package - Sports and Sports Action Photography; Grace Drake - Sports Action Photography; Hailey Ferguson - Sports Feature Photography.
