Nebraska High School Press Association Fall Convention
Oct. 16, 2023
University of Nebraska Student Union
Wifi access
Username: nhspa2023
Password: morethanwords
Schedule of Events
Registration | 8-9 a.m., Fischer Lounge, 2nd floor, Nebraska Union
Welcome | 9-10 a.m., Centennial Room, 2nd floor, Nebraska Union
· Erica Brockmoller, NHSPA president
· Adam Wagler, associate dean for academic programs, UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications
· Michelle Carr Hassler, UNL associate professor & NHSPA executive director
Keynote presentation: Matthew Hansen, editor of the Flatwater Free Press
NHSPA Awards | Angela Wolfe, NHSPA board member
Announcements | Michelle Carr Hassler
Breakout Sessions
Be sure to check out the Cornhusker Awards Lounge, where this year’s award-winning publications will be on display in the hallway to the east of the Centennial Room.
Session I (10:15-10:45 a.m.)
Yearbook: Captivating coverage
(Centennial)
Learn how to weave your theme throughout your book. Walsworth’s Greg Adams shares his techniques and tips.
Getting an A in B-Roll
(Ballroom)
Award-winning producer and UNL professor Kristian Anderson shares his secrets for quality video stories, with an emphasis on shooting effective B-roll.
Sports photography: Action and reaction
(Auditorium)
Learn the secrets of winning sports photography from UNL photography professor Shoun Hill, a veteran photographer and former photo editor for the Associated Press. This presentation will be repeated in Session III.
Sports broadcasting
(Unity Room 212)
10-11 News Sports Director Kevin Sjuts gives the run down on sports broadcasting – from getting your foot in the door to “a day in the life” of a sportscaster.
International perspective
(Heritage)
Six investigative journalists from the country of Georgia share their insights about practicing journalism in a nation where press freedoms are waning and distrust of the media is increasing. UNL associate professor emeritus Mary Kay Quinlan will moderate the discussion.
The art of the interview
(Ubuntu Room 202)
Nebraska Public Media reporter Elizabeth Rembert shares her top techniques for asking the right questions and getting sources to talk. Rembert, a former breaking news reporter for Bloomberg in New York, covers food, energy and agriculture for NPM.
Get their attention!
(Regency B)
Learn how to craft yearbook, newspaper and web headlines for maximum impact. Jessica Fargen Walsh, former Boston Herald journalist and UNL professor, shares her tips.
Build your audience
(Regency A)
How can your publication engage an audience and build readership? Daily Nebraskan General Manager Allen Vaughan, former consumer experience director at the Des Moines Register, offers his ideas and practical tips.
Career Talk: Entrepreneurial journalism
(Chimney Rock)
Veteran communicator Kerry Hoffschneider shares the insights and lessons of her career as a communications entrepreneur and freelance journalist.
Adviser session: Membership meeting
(Platte River South – first floor)
Members will vote to fill board vacancies and discuss general membership issues.
Session II (11-11:30 a.m.)
Yearbook: Design do’s and don’ts
(Centennial)
Learn tips and techniques for amazing yearbook design. Whitney Baker and Ali Schroeder of Jostens Yearbooks show you how to make your book stand out.
Podcasting 101
(Ballroom)
Want to create a podcast but don't know where to start? UNL professor Kelli Boling discusses how to create engaging and successful podcasts.
Creative photography
(Auditorium)
Learn how to compose captivating and creative photographs for your publications. UNL photography professor Shoun Hill, a veteran photographer and former photo editor for the Associated Press, will show you how.
Sports writing and storytelling
(Unity Room 212)
Former sports journalist and UNL sports media professor Jason Stamm shares his game plan for finding and telling engaging stories about high school sports.
Developing great ideas
(Heritage)
All great yearbook, web, print and broadcast stories begin with great ideas. As an award-winning reporter and editor, UNL professor Chris Graves knows how to develop engaging stories – and she’ll share her secrets to finding them.
Successful publishing
(Ubuntu Room 202)
Come with questions for the UNL students who run The Daily Nebraskan, which publishes online five days a week and produces periodic special-issue magazines. In this Q&A session, editor Sophia Walsh answers your questions – from how to build a strong team to how to create in-depth news reporting projects.
Life of a DJ
(Regency B)
Hear about the behind the scenes of radio broadcasts as D-Wayne (DeWayne Taylor) talks about his job as a professional disc jockey and entertainer at sporting events.
Career Talk: Advertising and public relations
(Regency A)
Learn about the exciting jobs available in the world of advertising and PR. UNL professor Frauke Hachtmann explains what these careers might look like for you.
Fighting fake news
(Chimney Rock)
Kerry Hoffschneider of the Nebraska Press Women helps you strengthen your news literacy skills and determine the difference between credible and non-credible sources.
Adviser session: Membership meeting
(Platte River South – first floor)
Members will vote to fill board vacancies and discuss general membership issues.
Lunch on our own (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.)
Downtown Lincoln restaurant maps and information.
Session III (12:45-1:15 p.m.)
Writing for yearbook
(Centennial)
Whether it’s headlines, features or captions, Cassi Helleberg of Walsworth has plenty of tips to help you sharpen the writing in your book.
Fun and fabulous features
(Ballroom)
What does it take to write an engaging feature story? UNL journalism professor Jill Martin, a former editor and reporter, shares her tips to keep readers interested.
Sports photography: Action and reaction
(Auditorium)
Learn the secrets of winning sports photography from UNL photography professor Shoun Hill, a veteran photographer and former photo editor for the Associated Press.
Getting design right
(Unity Room 212)
Former Chicago Tribune journalist Katie Nieland walks you through important design principles to help your publications stand out.
Student journalist rights
(Heritage)
Burke High School journalism adviser Angela Wolfe discusses efforts in the Nebraska Legislature to protect the free speech rights of student journalists and student media advisers.
Digging into data
(Ubuntu Room 202)
Learn how data can make your stories more interesting and stronger. UNL journalism professor Matt Waite shows you how to incorporate data into your reporting and storytelling.
Broadcast news
(Regency B)
Learn what it’s like to be a TV news anchor. Cole Miller shares his perspective and experience as anchor for 10/11 News.
Go, social media team!
(Regency A)
Learn how to build a team of social media content creators to make your social channels effective. Jill Johnson of Class Intercom shows you how.
Career Talk: Journalism
(Chimney Rock)
Learn about the exciting jobs available in the world of journalism. UNL recruiter Alex Fernando explains what those careers might look like for you.
Next-Level Critiques
(Platte River South – first floor)
Previous sign-up required to attend. Advisers will be on hand to provide on-site critiques of your school’s publications.
Session IV (1:30-2 p.m.)
Yearbook: Visual and verbal storytelling
(Centennial)
Bring your yearbook to life with visual and verbal storytelling. Kris Hemry of Walsworth shows you how.
CoJMC and you
(Ballroom)
Join UNL recruiter Alex Fernando for a tour of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Meet him in the ballroom, where you’ll begin a short walk to the building.
Poignant photo stories
(Auditorium)
Learn how to create photo stories that have impact. UNL photography professor Shoun Hill, a veteran photographer and former photo editor for the Associated Press, explains the concepts and shows you how.
Infographic magic
(Unity Room 212)
See how using infographics can transform your stories – whether they are online, in the newspaper, in a yearbook or in a video. Former Chicago Tribune journalist Katie Nieland shares her tips.
The X’s and O’s of play-by-play
(Heritage)
Jeff Motz of KFOR radio shares his secrets for being a winner in the broadcast booth.
Branding 101
(Ubuntu Room 202)
Learn how to elevate your school’s brand and your personal voice. Courtney Strayer of Class Intercom shares her ideas and techniques.
Mining public records
(Regency B)
Learn how professional journalists use public records for better reporting and storytelling. The Lincoln Journal Star’s Matt Olberding shows you how.
Taking a stand
(Regency A)
Dave Bundy, executive editor of the Lincoln Journal Star, offers his professional tips and pointers for writing persuasive editorials and columns.
Career Talk: Broadcasting
(Chimney Rock)
Learn about the exciting jobs available in the world of broadcasting. Jim Timm of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association will explain what a broadcasting career might look like for you.
Next-Level Critiques
(Platte River South – first floor)
Previous sign-up required to attend. Advisers will be on hand to provide on-site critiques of your school’s publications.
The NHSPA offers a special thanks to these organizations for their major support of our convention and annual awards:
Special thanks to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications for its support.
Thanks for joining us for this day devoted to scholastic journalism! Please help us make the fall convention the best it can be by sharing your feedback on this brief online evaluation or use the QR code.
SAVE THE DATE!
Next year’s fall convention will be on Monday, Oct. 21