Students in North High’s journalism class were given the opportunity to apply for and attend the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s 85th annual Fall Conference. In total, 16 students attended—10 from Guidepost Print and six from Guidepost Online—including sophomores, juniors and seniors, all accompanied by journalism advisor Mr. Baluyut.
The students boarded a train to Penn Station at 8:03 a.m. and arrived at Penn Station around 8:30 a.m. After taking the subway to Columbia University’s campus, Mr. Baluyut registered all 16 students, leaving about an hour before the start of the first class. Students explored the campus, venturing through the library to the bookstore while taking scenic photographs along the way.
As 9:30 a.m. approached, students selected their first session. They were given 11 options, varying from classes such as Investigative Reporting or Poetry: The Language of Music to Know Your (Copy)Rights and Process to Production. These classes lasted from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and were taught by professors with extensive experience and knowledge in the field of journalism. After the first session concluded, students were given 15 minutes to make their way across campus and arrive at their next 10:30 a.m. class.
“My favorite class at the conference was Writing the Personal Column, where we were given prompts to complete that sparked ideas for personal narratives I could write,” senior Emma Lavian said. “We also learned the importance of keeping the word count in mind to ensure the story stays engaging for the reader.”
These sessions both educated students about journalism and sparked their creativity, inspiring a new generation of young writers.
The second session, beginning at 10:30 a.m., included 12 classes such as: Borrowing from the Pros, Letters Can Be Real “Characters,” Planning Your Production and Poetry in Translation.
Once this 45-minute session came to a close, students were given until 12:15 p.m. for a lunch break. Students could stay on campus or take a walk through the streets of New York City. Nearby, students chose places such as Starbucks, Dos Toros, Sweetgreen, Le Monde, Wu and Nussbaum, Pinkberry, Five Guys, Just Salad and Shake Shack. A fan favorite—Shake Shack—had lines out the door, filled with high school and college students sporting Columbia University lanyards.
For those who chose to stay on campus, there was the option to unpack a homemade lunch and enjoy the mild weather or peruse the campus bookstore. Many chose to admire the architecture and take photos around the picturesque sites. Other students used this time to connect with new students and network, learning about the infinite possibilities of a career in journalism.
“My friends and I approached college students we saw walking around, asking about their experiences, involvement on campus, and any advice they could share,” senior Emma Lavian said. “We also met many other conference attendees from other high schools, gaining valuable insights and perspectives on how journalism is applied at their schools.”
These crucial conversations and discussions bring insights to North High students from beyond their community, viewing real-world applications of lessons they learn in class.
Once the 12:15 p.m. lunch ended, students made their way back to Columbia University’s learning centers for their next sessions. In order to catch an earlier train, North High students had to leave their third and final class early although later sessions would take place. Taking the subway to Penn station, then the train to Great Neck, students said their final goodbyes to a day full of learning, connection, excitement, and inspiration. The lessons learned at this conference will undoubtedly stay with the students through their professional careers.
“As someone who is considering journalism as a career, the conference was a great way to get fresh perspectives on the journalistic world,” junior Liz Sheydina said. “I left with amazing memories and many takeaways, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity.”
This sentiment is shared by many attendees of the conference, who learned skills and had networking opportunities that will guide them through their future careers.
