Professional media share tips with local students to improve skills

Over 350 students gather from 10 local high schools in the Old Administration Building (OAB) on the Fresno City College campus for the third annual High School Journalism Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 22.

Hosted by the staff of Fresno City’s student-run newspaper, The Rampage, 45 media professionals from around the Central Valley came to speak on their area of expertise. Speakers from broadcast news including radio and television, online news and printed news each came prepared to lead various sessions throughout the day.

Sessions ranged from, ‘Telling a Story with Photos,’ to ‘Student Podcasting.’ There was even a live broadcast truck from CMAC where students got a hands-on experience with this type of media production.

Signing up for classes that spark their interest, students visit three sessions throughout the day. Alexandra Kirkpatrick, ’19, from Kerman High really enjoyed the class, ‘Telling a Story Through Social Media,’ hosted by Troy Pope, Digital Executive Producer at KGPE/KSEE.

“I came with my journalism teacher to learn more about our journalism club and how we can expand it and really reach out to more students in our community,” Kirkpatrick said. “I learned about how important social media is and how to use it as a journalist.”

Thank you to Fresno City College, adviser Dympna Ugwu-Oju and The Rampage staff for putting on this media event! 

We’d love to hear from students who attended the event and encourage comments at the bottom of this video article. The following video recap of the event by videographer Braden Bell.

For more information, read 3rd annual Fresno City High School Journalism Day from The Feather Online on Vimeo and Scholastic Journalism Week comes to a close, Feb. 22.

The author can be reached via email: Braden Bell, Instagram and Twitter.