by Pete Rosenbery
CARBONDALE, Ill. — More than 225 students from 15 local high schools gained greater insight into journalism, advertising, yearbook and graphic design at the 72nd annual Southern Illinois School Press Association Winter Conference hosted by SIU Carbondale’s School of Journalism and Advertising on Feb. 22.
More than 225 high school students from throughout the region attended the 72nd annual Southern Illinois School Press Association Winter Conference at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Feb. 22. (Photo by Carson VanBuskirk)
The conference in the SIU Student Center allowed students to hone their skills in a variety of contests including news writing, editorial cartooning, yearbook theme development, advertising design, featuring writing, photography and informational graphic design. Faculty from the School of Journalism and Advertising and WSIU served as judges.
“It was exciting to see these high school students compete in the SISPA event. There was enthusiasm and energy,” Jan Thompson, director of SIU’s School of Journalism and Advertising, said.
Cole Claybourn, a staff writer for U.S. News & World Report’s education desk who primarily covers the transition from high school to college, provided the keynote address.