JEA/NSPA Philadelphia Convention Overview
By: Christina Xamis

The SchoolTube team went to the JEA/NSPA Convention November 8th to the 12th in downtown Philadelphia.  The weekend long convention was host to more than four thousand students from across the country. The atmosphere at the convention was filled with intensity and excitement and for good reason.  Students had many opportunities to sit in on learning sessions as well as compete in contests such as in camera videography, multiple write off competitions and the new maestro project competition.   

The maestro project added a new element to the convention; convergence reporting.  Students who entered this competition paired up with a videographer, writer, photographer, and reporter among others.  They had eight hours to complete project which consisted of still photographs, a newsprint article, as well as a broadcast video. Not only did this competition teach students how to work together, it also taught them how to work in a deadline driven environment and we all know how stressful deadlines can be in the journalism world.  The news does not wait for you!

There were many vendors who attended the conference as well.  Students learned about  different colleges to a variety of services yearbook companies offered. One of the most popular booths at the convention was the Newseum Booth.  Students gained knowledge about the Newseum, which will relocate to Washington D.C. in the beginning of 2008.  The Newseum will be home to the largest part of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany as well as interactive activities which will teach visitors about the progression of news and journalism.  At the convention, the Newseum booth offered students the chance to play educational games, teaching them about current events as well as how to become a good editor.  

The SchoolTube team gave students the opportunity to learn reporting hands on.  Students stopped by the SchoolTube booth and took reporting into their own hands.  They produced video content of all aspects of the convention from registration to what students learned, to the Friday night dance!  

By attending the JEA/NSPA convention, students were given the opportunity to not only showcase what they have learned at school, but to also interact with other students from across the country. They taught each other new techniques as well as share ideas with one another.  Part of the craft of journalism is learning as you go and interacting with others and that is exactly what conventions like this one do for aspiring journalists.

This convention could not have been possible without the tireless work of the Journalism Educators Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.  With their efforts this convention was a success and enjoyed by all.  SchoolTube looks forward to seeing everyone at the spring convention in Anaheim, California.