Six staff members of Weir Student Media traveled to the JEA/NSPA Fall National Convention in Boston from November 1st-5th to learn more about journalism and explore the city.  

During the conference, there was a trade show. People from colleges, journalism schools, and journalistic companies were there, and you could discuss future plans or anything you would like to know about their program. Some awards you can win are the First Amendment Press Freedom Award, Journalist of the Year scholarship, Future Journalism Teacher scholarship, Future administrator scholarship, Aspiring Young Journalists award, along with awards for teachers.  

When they arrived in Boston, students spent the day exploring the city. They walked the Freedom Trail, ate lunch at Cheers, and shopped around Faneuil Marketplace. 

On Thursday, they attended two of the several media tours offered by the convection. First, they visited View Boston, which takes tourists to the top of the 52-story building to see a 360-view of the city. They also rode the subway to tour The Boston Globe where they talked to Boston Globe Today’s TV host, Segun Odulowu. They ended the night going to the trade show along with a ceremony where famous “Spotlight” journalists talked.  

Friday, they were at the convention where they took classes and the trade show. They ate a delicious dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy.  

The last day, they were at the convention. After they visited Chinatown and got to admire Chinese culture. They ended the trip with a ghost tour around the city.  

The students who went claimed they all enjoyed it, giving their overall experience an average rating of 8.5/10. Everyone said they would go again as well as encourage others to go. This was truly an experience anyone will always remember. 

Lizzie Jagela, Junior, said she “would love to go again because not only did I learn a lot in the sessions, I also gained a lot of inspiration.”  

Kaydence Cain, Freshman, said she would go again “because it is a good experience to meet and learn from people around the country.”   

Students interested in Journalism will enjoy this trip. JEA stands for Journalism Education Association. It is an organization that helps students appreciate and learn about journalism education. JEA holds conventions, ceremonies, scholastic journalism week events, awards, contests, and more. JEA conducts advocacy, innovation, and excellence.  

At these conventions, there will be professionals teaching classes about different media and writing skills. Jea.org claims, “Conventions serve the educational program by providing students and teachers opportunities beyond those available in the school setting.”  

 JEA hosts national convections twice a year all over the country in cities like Orlando, Nashville, LA, San Fransisco and online, just to name a few.