Every school year in the fall the journalism department travels to The University of Kansas campus and attends the Kansas Scholastic Press Associations annual fall journalism conference.

The Kansas Scholastic Press Association (KSPA) organizes a conference where journalism students from across the state can come to learn about journalism, listen to speakers and meet other student journalists. 

Students from the school’s broadcast, yearbook and newspaper classes attend to help build relationships and brainstorm ideas. Broadcast advisor Laurie Folsom encourages her kids to go as an important opportunity to gain new ideas.

“Anytime you are forced out of your regular routine and you get to see interesting things, I have faith that my students will translate that into our own broadcast,” Folsom said. “We can get stale if we think only about what we’ve done and only continue doing the things we’ve done.” 

At the conference, students are able to go to breakout sessions and learn about different topics such as sports writing, interviewing, and broadcast principles. Broadcast assistant producer Ava Mendez enjoys getting to hear from speakers who have experience in the field.  

“There are a lot of good speakers who have had experience in journalism, and some of them are young, so they know what it’s like to get into the field at a young age,” Mendez said. “I learn something new every year.” 

The conference also allows staff members to get to know newer members and create lasting bonds. Yearbook photo editor Evie Tindell explains how conferences help build relationships. 

“This year we went to Munchers afterwards, which is a bakery in the area,” Tindell said. “We [also] do team building and hang out and talk and do sessions together.” 

Folsom also believes being surrounded by others who also have a passion for journalism helps motivate students. 

“Getting a chance to be in the same location as other people who care as much about what we are producing in MVTV, it ramps up people’s enthusiasm,” Folsom said.