Welcome

Students gather in the Franklin Hall lower lobby to check in and decide what sessions they want to attend Friday afternoon April 20. (photo by Wayne Dunn)

2012 STATE CONVENTION is history… and a good story it was, according to reports from many of the 350 students and advisers who attended the event at Kent State’s Franklin Hall, Friday and Saturday, April 20 and 21.  More than 70 entered the Day-of competition in writing, design, photography and videography contests. Check out all the winners.

Others went to 61 sessions, spread out over the two days. Presented by newsroom and classroom pros, they covered everything from The Grammar Slammer to Team Building to an Open Forum on Press Rights. Keynoter Scott Winter from University of Nebraska-Lincoln (see below) even shared with students “20 things your adviser won’t tell you.” Other featured speakers included the Journalism Education Association Regional Director Rod Satterthwaite and JEA’s National Council of Teachers of English liaison Brian Wilson, both from Michigan.

JOY winners and more applauded at banquet

Honored at the awards banquet are runner-up Tommy Behan, Lakota East, and Ohio's Journalist of the year Leah Cramer, Findlay High School. (photo by Wayne Dunn)

At the Friday night banquet in the Student Center Ballroom, Leah Cramer of Findlay High School was introduced as Ohio’s Journalist of the Year, and Tommy Behan, Lakota East High School, was runner-up.

Next came the announcement of winners in the 53 pre-entered individual categories, followed by naming of Overall Newspaper and Newsmagazine ratings. Top awards — the All-Ohio — went to the Lakota East High School Spark, The Torch from Bexley High School, the Blue & Gold, Findlay High School, and, ironically, the Lancer Ledger, General McLane High School, Edinboro, Penn. (Yes, those in contiguous states are members of OSMA.)

Plan now to attend fall regional workshops (see dates and locations above left) and next spring’s April 5 & 6, 2013 state convention.Watch this site for details.

Questions? Contact Candace cbowen@kent.edu

Friday night's keynoter Scott Winter, who had students and advisers alike laughing at his high school media experiences, turns serious during a Saturday packed house session. His message: Tell the real story not the cliche. (photo by Wayne Dunn)

Region 2 board member Morgan Martin, Sheridan High School, helps Erin Calabrese, Solon High School, find the right sessions to attend Friday. (photo by Wayne Dunn)