Program Sessions

Story ideas — where are they?

Lindsay Schnell (The Athletic/ New York Times)

EMU Ballroom

"Where do you get story ideas?" That's the No. 1 question journalists get every day, all day. And the answer is simple: Stories, and story ideas, are everywhere — if you just open your eyes and ears. 

Covering traumatic events and caring for yourself in the process

Natalie Pate (OPB)

EMU 245 | Gumwood

Participants will gain a deep understanding of how to report on traumatic events in the short and long term and how to thoughtfully engage with the individuals impacted. We will also discuss ways journalists can care for themselves and their colleagues in this work.

Freelancing: Building a career on your own terms

Damian Radcliffe (UO School of Journalism)

EMU 240 / Maple

Freelancing isn’t just a side hustle — it can be a viable and rewarding career path across journalism, PR, advertising, and digital media. In this session, Damian Radcliffe — journalist, professor, and long-time freelance contributor to outlets including The Guardian, Digital Content Next, IJNet, and Journalism.co.uk — shares what it takes to succeed as an independent media professional. Drawing on over two decades of experience writing, editing, consulting, and mentoring across the global media landscape, Damian will cover: How to find and pitch stories (and get paid for them); Managing client relationships and building a professional reputation; The realities of freelance life — from financial planning to creative freedom. Whether you’re looking to supplement your income, diversify your skills, or go fully independent, this talk will give you a clear, candid look at the opportunities and challenges of working for yourself in today’s evolving media economy.

Sports Media: A dive into photography and videography

Maggie Troxell, Alex Hampstead (Independent)

EMU 231/2 Cedar/Spruce

Come learn about professional sports photography and videography with emphases in high school, collegiate and professional sports levels.

Crafting memorable moments

Selena Huggins (Early College High School)

EMU 230 / Swindells

Today we’ll discover the secrets behind turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories with clever and impactful captions for your yearbook. We'll explore techniques to match the tone of your school culture, inject humor where appropriate, and evoke emotion that resonates with your readers. Whether you're highlighting a student achievement, a spirited event, or a quiet candid, this session will equip you with the skills to create captions that captivate and endure.

On-site Contests

Glenn Krake (West Linn High School)

EMU 214  I  Redwood

Students participating in an on-demand contest must meet here immediately after the keynote presentation to compete. Pre-registration is not required.

How to Wow

Genie Westfall (Varsity Yearbooks)

EMU 146 / Crater Lake North

It's not enough to simply put pictures and words on paper.  Learn the tips and tricks to take your spreads from ok to WOW.

Design principles for Canva

Kym Rohman (UO School of Journalism)

EMU 145 | Crater Lake South

Do you use Canva for school or for fun? Are you ready to break out of the templates and learn how to make unique designs in Canva? Join me to learn about design principles for Canva and how you can go beyond the templates with a little color theory, a little typography, and a whole lot of good design advice.

Best of the West Judging

Beth Zilk (Mountain View High School)

EMU 140 | Rogue

Best of the West judges meet here for judging.

High school sportscasting

Alex Derlago, Ryan Williams (Wilsonville High School)

EMU 119 / Diamond Lake

Wilsonville Broadcast Network has been livestreaming games since 2016 and does live announcing for all sports that occur on our fields and in our gyms, as well as coverage of swimming and wrestling. Learn from student announcers how to set up a broadcasting program, set up the technology on game day, and create an immersive, professional broadcast that fans tuning in will love and appreciate.

Newsroom Leadership: How to build a staff equipped to cover diverse communities

Camilla Mortensen (Eugene Weekly)

EMU 104 | Coquille

Join the editor of the Eugene Weekly to explore ways this major print and digital publication works to cover all of Lane County, from recruiting staff with unique perspectives to outreaching to underrepresented parts of the community. Learn about tools and strategies you can use to cover every corner of your campus.

The Photojournalist's Toolbox

Scotty Smith (Gray Media/Investigate TV)

EMU 023 | Lease Crutcher Lewis

This session provides an essential look inside "The Photojournalist's Toolbox", detailing the skills and equipment broadcast photojournalists rely on for success. Whether you're shooting breaking news, a feature story, or a complex investigation, the right tools are key. We will cover the full spectrum of the craft, including gear (cameras, drones, audio, etc.), professional video editing and visual graphics, and the core journalism practices that drive great visual storytelling. Veteran broadcast photojournalist Scotty Smith will use examples of his own work to offer a practical, inside perspective on the broadcast business today. This session is also offered during session four.

Sports beyond the box score

Lindsay Schnell (The Athletic/ New York Times)

EMU Ballroom

Sports are one of the most important pieces of every school experience — but how do you cover them well if your newspaper (or yearbook) doesn't come until days after the final buzzer? It's easier — and more fun — than you think. 

How to get a good story in the middle of breaking news

Natalie Pate (OPB)

EMU 245 | Gumwood

Take it from someone who doesn't love breaking news: news can break at any time, on any beat, and we have to be ready when it does. Attendees will learn what is the most crucial content they need to collect to ensure a solid story at the end of the rush, and how to get it without sacrificing quality, journalistic ethics, source relationships or, hopefully, too much sleep.

Journalism through yearbook

Raphael Pond (Jostens Yearbooks)

EMU 240 / Maple

This session explores the types of stories students can pursue and publish in the medium of yearbook. Through team-building partner activities, students will practice how to find and categorize quality stories, ask engaging follow-up questions, and gather meaningful quotes in order to create memorable yearbook pages that will captivate audiences for years to come. This session is also offered during session four.

Three big questions for better alternative story forms

Michelle Balmeo (West Albany High School)

EMU 239 / Oak

For many publications, alternative story forms (sidebars, infographics, mods) aren’t just decoration for the page. They add to the story in meaningful ways, and they reflect careful planning and additional reporting. Let’s learn from the pros and stop treating alt copy modules as an afterthought. Lots of professional and student examples to draw inspiration from.

Beyond Rotten Tomatoes: Tips to Improve your Arts and Culture Criticism

Scott Selberg (Linfield University)

EMU 231/2 Cedar/Spruce

Whether they report on movies, theater, books, podcasts, or gaming, journalists play a key role in shaping and engaging with their school’s community. In this session we’ll get beyond rankings or simple descriptions, and we’ll talk about how to take your arts and cultural criticism to the next level. You’ll learn about developing your critical voice, making your subject relatable to your audience, and connecting culture to the big stories of our day. We'll also talk about how you can take advantage of different media formats to connect with your audience.

Running the Room: Leading and Supporting a Publication 

West Linn Editors (West Linn High School)

EMU 230 / Swindells

Come to hear how two yearbook editors in chief and two journalism editors in chief run a student-led publication. 

Guided critique for news publication staffs

Amy Jack (Sherwood High School)

EMU 214  I  Redwood Auditorium

Bring your print news publication, or copies of pages you are currently working on, and engage in a guided critique session by trading your publications with other students.

Cover to Cover: How to develop your theme for the WHOLE book

Genie Westfall (Varsity Yearbooks)

EMU 146 / Crater Lake North

Don't leave your theme only on the cover.  Use graphic elements, story tellers, and great design to tell your story on every page from Title Page to Index.

Lights, Smartphone, Action: Taking your video work to a new level

Dr. Kevin Curry (Linfield University)

EMU 145 | Crater Lake South

Ready to take your video work to a new level? Learn easy-to-use techniques for shot framing, lighting and sound that will make the video you shoot on a smartphone really shine. 

On-Demand Writing Judging

Glenn Krake (West Linn High School)

EMU 140 | Rogue

Judges meet here for judging the on-demand writing contest.

Journalism: The first draft of history

Pat Albright (Retired journalist)

EMU 119 / Diamond Lake

A key function of journalism is to provide timely accounts of events for the sake of future review and analysis. Archiving and preserving journalism is crucial so that first drafts are not lost and can be used to build more comprehensive historical narratives.

OJEA Member Meeting

Beth Zilk (Mountain View High School)

EMU 107 | Miller

Advisers: Come and meet your colleagues and discuss current issues and support available for your publications. Learn how you can get more involved in Oregon JEA. 

Making the Jump

Kaitlyn Falcon (UO Student)

EMU 104 | Coquille

High school to college journalism/yearbook can be hard. It's not quite the same as you think it is, so here are some helpful tips I wish I knew before I went into my journalism major.

Sell more yearbooks and ads

Kathy Beers (Walsworth Yearbooks)

EMU 023 | Lease Crutcher Lewis

You're the only ones writing a history book about your school and community this year. Make sure it gets into more hands and bring in more funds so your book can be better than ever. 

Behind the Story: Building the broadcast investigation

Scotty Smith (Gray Media/Investigate TV)

EMU Ballroom

Go behind the scenes and discover what it takes to produce an impactful, in-depth investigative story for broadcast news. This session walks through the entire process, covering everything from the initial pitch to the final air date. We'll discuss crucial elements like gathering data and public records, the role of photography and visual graphics in telling complex stories, the importance of interviewing the right people to bring human context and credibility to the facts and using video editing and audio to maximize the impact of the story. We will also cover key journalism practices that guide the investigation. Scotty Smith, National Investigative Photojournalist for Investigate TV, uses his own experiences to illustrate the challenges and triumphs of investigative broadcast journalism.

How to write the perfect feature story

Charles Butler (UO School of Journalism)

EMU 245 | Gumwood

Whether you are writing a profile, a trend story, a narrative or any other type of feature story, there are certain things you want to do. This presentation will offer some of the key secrets to producing the best feature story possible. 

Elements of a good story 

Nicole Vulcan (The Source)

EMU 240 / Maple

From headlines to photos and social media posts to a great topic, writing a compelling story is more than just the words on the page. Join Editor in Chief Nicole Vulcan of the Source newspaper in Bend to learn about how to come up with good story ideas, make them interesting to the reader, and then see them through to publication.

How to host a podcast

Julia Boboc (SOJC student, KLCC reporting fellow)

EMU 239 / Oak

These days, it feels like everyone has a podcast. As the new wave of multimedia journalism, podcasting has taken over the industry and provided new avenues for creative expression and conversation. You can make a podcast about anything, and it can take many shapes and forms: Q&A, educational, storybook and more. But it's not always easy to go from idea to conception. Come learn how to make your podcast dreams come true while making sure your work is cohesive and engaging. 

Digital Storytelling in the Age of AI: Tools, trends and techniques

Ed Madison (UO School of Journalism)

EMU 231/2 Cedar/Spruce

Discover how today’s journalists are shaping stories for a digital-first world. This session will introduce high school journalists to essential publishing platforms like Adobe Express and Readymag, while also exploring the newest frontier—AI-powered coaching tools such as Murrow.ai. Participants will learn how to combine design, interactivity, and ethical artificial intelligence to elevate their storytelling, build stronger multimedia projects, and prepare for the future of journalism. This session is also offered during session four.

I could make the All-Oregon Journalism team!?

Glenn Krake (West Linn High School)

EMU 230 / Swindells

Yes, you can. Come learn some tips for beefing up your resume and portfolio so you can apply to the All-Oregon Journalism Team (and maybe even Oregon Journalism of the Year Scholarship). 

Guided critique for online and social media

Amy Jack (Sherwood High School)

EMU 214  I  Redwood Auditorium

Bring a computer and be prepared to share links to your online news site and/or social media accounts, and engage in a guided critique session by trading your publications with other students.

How to break news like a pro

Sami Edge (The Oregonian)

EMU 146 / Crater Lake North

How does a professional newsroom react when big news hits, say a threat by the president to deploy National Guard troops to their city, or the arrest of the local professional basketball team's coach? Come learn about how newsrooms come together in times of crisis and what editors expect of individual reporters breaking news from the field. You'll leave with reporting tips, tricks and a blueprint for how to keep up with breaking news yourself. This session is also offered during session four.

Eight simple rules of yearbook spread design

Kathy Beers (Walsworth Yearbooks)

EMU 145 | Crater Lake South

Take your designs from drab to fab by just following a short list of guidelines. 

Photo / Broadcast Judging

Brian Eriksen (South Salem High School)

EMU 140 | Rogue

Photo and broadcast judges meet here to judge on-site contest entries.

Inclusive strategies for comprehensive yearbook coverage

Selena Huggins (Early College High School)

EMU 119 / Diamond Lake

Today we’ll unlock the secrets to crafting a yearbook that truly reflects the vibrant tapestry of your school community. We explore innovative and creative approaches to ensure every student finds their voice and place within the pages of your yearbook. In this workshop, you'll discover practical strategies to go beyond the standard portraits and group shots, embracing inclusivity in your coverage. Our goal: get everyone covered at least three times!

CTE certification and other creative funding solutions

Michelle Balmeo (West Albany High School)

EMU 107 | Miller

In this session for advisers, we'll discuss what it takes to get your program CTE certified and what benefits (and potential headaches) you can expect from doing so. We'll also talk about other ways to fund your program in an era when everything — especially printing — is expensive.

From Magazine to Mogazine: How to publish like the pros

Margot Kalmanson, June Baeck (Grant High School)

EMU 104 | Coquille

We will give a breakdown of how we organize our staff, how we go through the production cycle, and our unique three-stage editing system including fact checking.

Words and Pictures: Reporters and photographers working together

Tom Henderson, Jessica Hume-Pantuso (Street Roots)

EMU 023 | Lease Crutcher Lewis

Photojournalists and reporters often make amazing storytelling teams. Photojournalist Jessica Hume-Pantuso and reporter Tom Henderson will talk about how to get the most out of this working partnership.

The Photojournalist's Toolbox

Scotty Smith (Gray Media/Investigate TV)

EMU Ballroom

This session provides an essential look inside "The Photojournalist's Toolbox", detailing the skills and equipment broadcast photojournalists rely on for success. Whether you're shooting breaking news, a feature story, or a complex investigation, the right tools are key. We will cover the full spectrum of the craft, including gear (cameras, drones, audio, etc.), professional video editing and visual graphics, and the core journalism practices that drive great visual storytelling. Veteran broadcast photojournalist Scotty Smith will use examples of his own work to offer a practical, inside perspective on the broadcast business today. This session is also offered during session one.

7 joys of documentary filmmaking

John Sutter (UO School of Journalism)

EMU 245 | Gumwood

Learn the unexpected joys of becoming a documentary filmmaker, a profession where people often get to stay with stories for years and decades. You’ll get tips on how to apply the eye of a documentarian to your storytelling in any medium, from magazine writing to social media.

Newsroom Leadership: Tips and tools for managing your team

Tarek Anthony (The Daily Emerald)

EMU 240 / Maple

In this session, Daily Emerald Editor-in-Chief Tarek Anthony will share practical tips for running your student newsroom and staying organized.

Audiojournalism: Writing for the ear

Julia Boboc (SOJC student, KLCC reporting fellow)

EMU 239 / Oak

Whether you've been in the car or in the kitchen, on purpose or on accident, you've probably listened to the radio. Radio reporting may seem simple, but with a strict second count and endless potential for sound, writing for the ear can pose challenges that don't affect more traditional forms of journalism. But with great obstacles comes great opportunities for creativity. Come learn about the structure of a radio spot, picking quotes and using sound for scene-building.

Digital Storytelling in the Age of AI: Tools, trends and techniques

Ed Madison (UO School of Journalism)

EMU 231/2 Cedar/Spruce

Discover how today’s journalists are shaping stories for a digital-first world. This session will introduce high school journalists to essential publishing platforms like Adobe Express and Readymag, while also exploring the newest frontier—AI-powered coaching tools such as Murrow.ai. Participants will learn how to combine design, interactivity, and ethical artificial intelligence to elevate their storytelling, build stronger multimedia projects, and prepare for the future of journalism. This session is also offered during session three.

Journalism through yearbook

Raphael Pond (Jostens Yearbook)

EMU 230 / Swindells

This session explores the types of stories students can pursue and publish in the medium of yearbook. Through team-building partner activities, students will practice how to find and categorize quality stories, ask engaging follow-up questions, and gather meaningful quotes in order to create memorable yearbook pages that will captivate audiences for years to come. This session is also offered during session two.

Guided critique for yearbook staffs

Amy Jack (Sherwood High School)

EMU 214  I  Redwood Auditorium

Bring your yearbook, or copies of pages you are currently working on, and engage in a guided critique session by trading your publications with other students.

How to break news like a pro

Sami Edge (The Oregonian)

EMU 146 / Crater Lake North

How does a professional newsroom react when big news hits, say a threat by the president to deploy National Guard troops to their city, or the arrest of the local professional basketball team's coach? Come learn about how newsrooms come together in times of crisis and what editors expect of individual reporters breaking news from the field. You'll leave with reporting tips, tricks and a blueprint for how to keep up with breaking news yourself. This session is also offered during session three.

Dream to Done: A yearbook journey

Kathy Beers (Walsworth Yearbooks)

EMU 145 | Crater Lake South

Follow the life of one award winning yearbook from inspiration to distribution.

Judging

Glenn Krake (West Linn High School)

EMU 140 | Rogue

Judges meet here to help with remaining judging assignments.

The subtle art of telling your friends what to do

Alex Derlago, Sydney Hanson (Wilsonville High School)

EMU 119 / Diamond Lake

Alex Derlago and Sydney Hanson, the Managing Editors of Wilsonville High School's media program, will host a session for student leaders. After a presentation on team strategies, Derlago and Hanson will facilitate a round-table on best practices.

The free press and the government

Kayla Stefan, Josh Gwin (YMCA Youth and Government)

EMU 104 | Coquille

The free press plays a vital role in covering government operations. Come learn more about the relationship between government and media, and hear about an opportunity you have right now to use your media skills as a youth reporter for Oregon YMCA Youth and Government.

Covering Protests

Tom Henderson (Street Roots)

EMU 023 | Lease Crutcher Lewis

Protests are an increasingly common news event. Covering them can be difficult and intimidating. This session will focus on telling people's individual stories as well as how to "read the room" and stay safe.