Moving with slow lethargic steps, staffers step out of the elevator, slowly wandering over to the lobby with regretful faces, wishing with all their might they could return to the folds of their bed. The team once again headed out of the hotel, however this time it was to gain wisdom and for some, to give out knowledge. The staff headed to Columbia University for the first day of the CSPA convention on a brisk morning, the sun just peaking out behind the buildings and stray clouds drifting though the sky.

Checking in at around 9, staffers clumped together in the main hall, clinging to the people they knew, and wondering what was to come. Classes came next, lectures varying from the fundamentals of writing to the in and outs of photography or how to edit opinions. Each of these lectures conveyed a different point, allowing staffers to really take steps and bounds.

Junior, Jenny King is appreciative of these events as they bring people together to sharpen one another’s mindsets and aspirations.

“The lectures which I attended helped to widen my gaze,” King said. “The people teaching have accomplished some incredible things and they helped to inspire me to aspirate to higher goals. This convention is truly important because when minds come together, we as a community of journalists become better. Like the saying goes, two minds are better than one.”

I was really impressed with the second speaker, Karl Grubaugh. He challenged me to sharpen the way I write stories and the way I edit them. One thing he talked about was cutting out the redundancies in writing. It’s very easy to write in a way that sounds good but does not communicate well. Grubaugh inspired me to strive for both eloquence and clarity. –Skyler Lee

After the morning session students went out to the community to find a bite to eat, venturing out into the city in hopes of finding some forgotten jewel. Rather than eating at a chain restaurant, students attempted the local stores, hoping to find something special and unforgettable.

Photography Editor Kylie Bell found a small Italian delicatessen a fair distance from Columbia, but she found that it was definitely worth the walk.

“When we walked into the restaurant we immediately smelled the dough,” Bell said.” I purchased the chicken parmesan and mozzarella sandwich, however what I noticed the most, was the intense Italian flavor. The Italian seasoning made the sandwich in my opinion and it has definitely been one of my favorite places to eat over the entire trip.”

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To end the staffer’s time at the convention, Kori Friesen gave a lecture to a full room of 70 people called “The Image as your hook.” The purpose of this was to enlighten Editors and photographers about how to choose the best picture and how to grab the attention of the reader.

“In today’s society journalistic photography has a more important role then ever as mobile devices have brought instant news to smaller screens,” Friesen said. “Today’s Session was focused on the importance of visual impact that a picture has within a news story.  People want to look at pictures and feel informed.”

With Columbia out of the way, the staffers headed to SoHo, it was time to get their shopping on. Specialty stores line the street, including Armani, Prada, Barneys, Kenneth Cole and more. These filled the minds and of the staffers as they bought a few items from a variety of stores.

Co-Editor-in-Chief Rees Roggenstein spent the majority of his time shopping, especially as none of these stores are in the Fresno area.

“I really enjoyed the shopping in SoHo,” Roggenstein said. “All the stores, exclusive and popular, were lined up down the alley. New York simply has shopping that Fresno just can’t offer.”

The day was finished off in the small area labeled “Little Italy” to eat dinner. The neighborhood Little Italy sprung up in lower Manhattan in the 19th century as Italian immigrants surged into the United States. Today this historic site acts as a tribute to Italian culture with several traditional shops and restaurants which have persisted through the ages.

Da Nico served as this link between America, and the heritage of Italy. Staffers slowly trickled into the restaurant after spending their time in SoHo. Red wall paper lined the walls, with lights evenly placed throughout the building, creating a dim atmosphere.

Videographer Timothy Nyberg was nostalgic about the food at Da Nico, due to the fact it reminded him of a home cooked meal.

“After a long day at Columbia and shopping the streets in SoHo, I was ready for a warm, hardy meal,” Nyberg said. “The idea of some authentic Italian food sounded amazing and that’s exactly what I got. Not only did they bring the food out quickly, but it tasted like a home cooked meal. It was the perfect meal to end my day.”

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To read about Day 3 of the trip, read The Feather takes NYC: Day 3.

For more about New York, check out the COLUMN: Composing final memories, preparing to part ways

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @Josh_Carter and via Email: Joshua Carter