SUBMITTED By CHS PUBLICATIONS
Cherokee High School Publications students joined students from all over the region at the WNC High School Media Day hosted by the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association at UNC-Asheville on Thursday, Oct. 10. As part of National Yearbook week, the Mass Communication Department at UNC-A brought together experts in the field of yearbook design and journalism to pass on their wealth of knowledge and expertise to students wanting to learn the fundamentals of this dramatically changing field of study.
CHS Publications staff attend WNC High School Media Day at UNC-A on Thursday, Oct. 10 including (left-right) Adam Powell, Elis George, Makayla Pheasant, and CHS Publications Adviser Kelley Canaday. (CHS Publications photo)
Journalism is undergoing revolutionary changes in this age of social media. Traditional journalism has been struggling to survive. Tons of layoffs in the industry, lack of revenue, and the move from print publication to online publication are forcing people in the industry to be innovative and find new ways to keep journalism alive and prospering. It is a necessary medium for news and information, but it needs to catch up with what people want in today’s society. The future of journalism rests on the shoulders of the generation in training.
Elis George, the editor-in-chief of CHS Publications, attended the Editors Roundtable and Photojournalism Fundamentals sessions. He enjoyed interacting with the other schools and hearing about their themes and styles for their products. He was impressed with Bill Rhodes work. Rhodes is a freelance photographer from Asheville who has appeared in the New York Times, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, and Popular Mechanics.
George said, “The workshop was very informative and taught me how to be a better photographer and leader of our publication.”
Makayla Pheasant, CHS Publications director of finance and marketing, attended all the sessions on yearbook design. She liked learning about other people’s perspectives on yearbook. Bruce Watterson, a national yearbook expert and current chair of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Judging Standards and Practices, taught about yearbook themes and trends.
Pheasant said, “He did what he loved and that has inspired me to find something to do that I love.”
Adam Powell, CHS Publications design coordinator, battled with the other students and won the privilege of being the CHS representative at the newspaper sessions. His favorite session was hosted by Howard Spanogle, a former award-winning newspaper adviser from Illinois and Texas. His students authored a series of books while working as high school journalists. Powell was glad to hear adults acknowledge that teen opinions matter and was impressed by Spanogle’s statement, “Young people today are the future.”
Kelley Canaday, the CHS Publications Adviser, organized the trip for the students. “I want our students to have every opportunity to experience new people, places and things. The world of journalism is embarking on a new path, and I want the students to see how valuable they are to our nation’s future.” Workshops are an excellent way to teach them the fundamental skills they need and introduce them to their peers from around the region and experts in the industry. These connections and experiences can lead them to success academically and vocationally now and in the future. Canaday said, “It seems fitting now that the students chose ‘Empowering our Nation’s Future’ as their theme for the 2014 yearbook. I can’t wait to see what they do with it.”
Yearbooks are on sale now. Get yours today. The cost is $45.00. Orders can be placed online at jostensyearbooks.com or by contacting Mrs. Canaday 554-5030 ext. 20210.
