The world is changing, we should too: Conference helps broaden perspectives of Georgia student journalists

A collage of images from GSpa’s Fall Conference is showcased. Photos by Sarah Freeman and Lauren Pike

By Alex Taylor, GSPA Student Ambassador, Union Grove High School

From sports photography and newsroom dynamics to ethical storytelling and more, GSPA’s Fall Conference on Oct. 24, 2024, offered a variety of presentations for student journalists and advisers from across Georgia.

Dr. Kyser Lough leads a session on “photographing sports” during the fall Conference Oct. 24, 2024 at UGA’s Tate Student Center. “Sports can be one of the most challenging things to photograph, yet has the potential to bring us some of the most compelling images from the year,” the session description stated.

Presenters included high school students and advisers, professional journalists and University of Georgia faculty and staff. This broad reach of presenters made information more accessible to the diverse group of people who visited the Tate Student Center.

“I think [the conference] is important because you get to make connections with other students like you from all over the state,” said Melissa Garber, director of undergraduate services for the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Garber believes it is important for students to have the chance to experience college campuses like the University of Georgia. “Sometimes you learn about an opportunity or an idea that you’ve never considered and it can change the course of your future.”

Chosen by two GSPA student ambassadors, the theme for the conference was “Broadening Perspectives.” As student journalists learn to make sense of the world for themselves and others, expanding their viewpoints can strengthen their work. Each individual has a unique point of view, and when journalists highlight that in their work, the world is exposed to beautiful stories.

Naina Agrawal and Sahithya Shriram, both juniors from Lambert High School, attended the conference. “We live in a very changing world. And with diverse people and diverse ideas, it’s important that we incorporate that into our lives. As writers, it’s important that we incorporate that into our writing,” Agrawal said. Shriram agreed, adding that “[with] living in the 21st century in a country as diversified and globalized as America…it’s so important for people to be open and understand where all of these different, new thoughts and ideas are coming from.”

AJ Chambers presents “QuEER Quotes” during round 1 of GSPA’s 2024 Fall Conference.

Presenters conveyed the conference theme in their sessions as well. Whether the content was about using artificial intelligence to your advantage or creating a representative publication, presenters used their knowledge to broaden the perspectives of their audience.

A.J. Chambers, a teacher at Horse Creek Academy in South Carolina, taught a session on reporting LGBTQ+ stories. Titled “Queer Quotes,” this presentation enlightened students on how to tell queer stories both accurately and safely.

“Queer voices are voices that need to be told. The more coverage of queer voices, the more normal they become,” said Chambers. “I’m also hoping that students find courage in telling stories with multiple perspectives, not just queer stories.”

kelundra smith gives tips and tricks on how to develop a voice as an arts critic.

Kelundra Smith, director of publishing at Theatre Communications Group, presented a session on arts criticism. Still, her topic aligned with the theme of broadening perspectives.

“Arts criticism, and art in general, is the broad perspective,” Smith said. “Artists, at their best, are mirroring us and transcending us. [Arts criticism] documents and contextualizes that mirror and that ascension. Arts criticism is extremely important because arts critics have the ability to connect people to cultural experiences. It’s an empathy agent.”

When attendees were not viewing a session, they were either getting feedback on their work through on-site publication critiques, participating in photography or social media contests, or taking pictures at the digital photobooth.

As the conference came to an end, advisers hoped that their students gained something meaningful from the experience. Emily Heilker, adviser of the news website, news magazine, and literary magazine at Woodward Academy, attended the conference with her students. “[I hope my students realize] that they’re not alone in doing journalism,” Heilker said. Jenny Kafer, adviser of the Phoenix yearbook at Woodward Academy, wanted her students to “hear and learn about different opportunities within journalism, media, and broadcasting and look into those as potential career options for them in the future.”