As voices chatter, computer keys clack and camera shutters snap, The Feather Online staff continues to put their nose to the grindstone during their competition season. Think of competition season as the playoffs in sports, only it lasts for nine straight months, with mounting pressure from January to March. That long buildup ultimately leads to the staff’s most anticipated event of the year: a trip to New York City for the 102nd Columbia Scholastic Press Association conference, March 14–21.

The ‘25-26 Feather team is made up of 28 staff members: nine editors, six photo/video journalists and 13 journalists. The program is led by advisor Kori James and writing coach Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young on the heels of legendary advisor Greg Stobbe, who started the program in 1982.

This team is not just about asking students for quotes or capturing pictures at sporting events; it is about telling the times and tales of Fresno Christian Schools and the surrounding community. Students do not join the class for an easy ride; the team demands excellence and commitment, striving to produce work of the highest quality. 

Media Editor Selah Neal, ‘27, always says that “pressure is a privilege,” and the team seeks to uphold this mindset in high-demand situations. Pressure means you are growing as a person and pushing your limits; it requires stepping into unfamiliar spaces, stretching beyond what once felt comfortable and choosing progress over ease. When journalists feel pressure, they should not run away from it, but take it in stride. Learn from it, and let it remind you that you are becoming stronger, braver and more capable than you were yesterday.

Feather team members learn to look beyond the surface, to ask thoughtful questions and to capture moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. The Feather aims to represent every student group, team and department at Fresno Christian. Through dedication and teamwork, this group preserves the memories, achievements, challenges and growth that define FC’s history. Senior Editor Kyleigh Baca, ‘26, serves as an Athletic Editor, packages articles and has felt the impact her stories have had on the community.

“In my time on the Feather, I have learned so much from covering sports to local events,” Baca said. “Even though we do not often see how much of an impact we make as students on the team, when I take a step back, it is amazing to see how much we have accomplished in our small community.”

Journalists and photographers are trained in backpack journalism, giving them the ability to construct all components of their articles, including writing, photos, videos and various other elements. This year, 16 students will travel to New York to teach several sessions at Columbia University and also receive a Silver or Gold Crown award from CSPA. The team has attended the conference for 28 years. Last year, The Feather was awarded a Gold Crown.

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The Feather

During the teams visit in March 2017, the national weather system called the nor'easter "Snowmageddon" which temporary shut down all of Manhattan. The 2026 trip might look similar to this.

Students and advisors will be teaching six sessions at the 2026 conference:

-Profiles with Personality: Getting below the surface through compelling profiles

-Humanizing controversial stories: Moving out of your comfort zone

-Publishing A&E pieces with pizazz: Using your voice to draw your reader into reviews

-Backpack Journalism: Building a team of self-sufficient journalists (Advisor Session)

-Enhance with the ‘gram: Using the visual power of Instagram

-Canva to the Rescue: Beginners guide to design

Teaching sessions allow staff members to build their presentation, people and leadership skills.

During the week of intense travel, both the East and West Coast Feather teams will continue to publish content consistently. This way, the site can remain looking very strong throughout the week, providing real-time content to keep diligent readers engaged. Editor-in-Chief Danielle Arndt, ‘26, has experienced two trips to NYC with The Feather; this will be her third and final year.

“The first time I went to the conference in NYC, it opened my eyes to the influence The Feather carried in the nationwide platform of publications,” Arndt said. “Each time I return, I marvel at the sufficiency of our team. I have the confidence to teach sessions about quality journalism because I stand with a team that executes it daily.” 

This year, The Feather was evaluated by College/Scholastic Digital News Critique and received a gold medalist status with a prestigious 957/1000 score. Judges comb through the website, picking apart each component of the publication. These critiques help staff be able to sustain quality writing and media and implement proper corrections to make the site better.

Score Summary:

Essential: 566/600

Verbal: 191/200

Visual: 200/200

Some of the strongest components of the paper are digital interactivity and engaging elements that enhance the viewing experience. Elements can include clickable buttons, comments and interactive polls. 

With the trip under three weeks away, The Feather is very excited to travel to The Big Apple, teach at Columbia University and build connections with fellow journalists around the country.  However, this trip is not all work; students will get to take a private tour of ABC Studios and The Met, see a NY Rangers game, attend “The Outsiders” on Broadway and visit iconic sights of both NYC and Brooklyn.  

Stay updated on Instagram for Columbia session updates and NYC content in the coming weeks.

To learn more about The Feather, visit the About section.

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