Program Sessions

Alternative Copy

Rachel Nelson, Raphael Pond (Jostens)

Portland Campus Center 212

Traditional stories aren’t the only way to tell what happened. This session explores alternative copy formats like Q&A, highlights, quotes, and mini-stories that boost coverage, ease writing pressure, and support stronger design. Leave with practical tools you can use immediately to get more students in the book.

The Future of Immersive Storytelling 

Danny Pimentel (SOJC)

Innovation Center 300

Learn about the various ways that AI, virtual reality, and augmented reality are transforming media careers.

Journalism 101

Julia Silverman, Nik Streng (The Oregonian)

Innovation Center Auditorium 121

So you want to be a reporter? Great. First we need to talk about the rules. Come learn about journalism ethics and reporting 101 from staff members at The Oregonian. Great for aspiring journalists and people who are just curious how reporters go about their work. 

Basic Photography & Composition Techniques

Troy Wayrynen (Heritage HS)

Library Learning Center 112

This course covers essential camera settings and how to optimize them for capturing storytelling photographs consistently in your assignments. We will demystify the exposure triangle—what it is and how to use it creatively to your advantage. Additionally, we will explore techniques for approaching your subjects and helping them feel at ease. You will also learn how to apply basic composition rules to elevate your photographs from good to great!

Adviser Welcome

Hosted by OJEA

Library Learning Center 303

Advisers, join us for some coffee and light breakfast treats. Chat with others, grab and go, or use this space as a home base workspace. Stay the following session for an adviser roundtable.

The Struggle is Real

Michelle Balmeo (West Albany HS)

Library Learning Center 310

You’re halfway through the year, and it’s time for some problem solving. In this interactive session, student leaders (e.g. Sports Editor, Business Manager, etc.) sit with others who have a similar role on their staffs and work through some of the toughest issues related to their role. If you've ever wondered how other staffs handle something your staff struggles with, this is your chance to get some ideas to bring home.

Guided Critique

Amy Jack (Sherwood HS)

Library Learning Center 312

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.

Chaos to Magic

Genie Westfall (Varsity)

Innovation Center 300

Deadline is approaching, and you don't have photos, or what you have is not ready to submit.  Learn tips and tricks for fixing problem layouts, or coming up with new, fast ideas that can save you at deadline time.

Dealing with Blowback

Tom Henderson (Independent)

Portland Campus Center 212

We live in a time when journalists are slapped with labels like "fake news" and "enemy of the people." This session will help students develop skills to keep themselves safe while also evolve a "thick skin" to deal with people's anger without being traumatized or escalating conflicts.

Interviewing Essentials

Elliot Njus (The Oregonian)

Innovation Center Auditorium 121

Journalism is creative, but it’s not fiction. We craft the stories, but the material comes from our interviews – and good interviews are the foundation of strong stories.

Sports Photojournalism

Troy Wayrynen (Heritage HS)

Library Learning Center 112

Have you ever wondered how professional sports photographers freeze fast-moving action and tell compelling stories? This course will teach you essential camera settings to consistently capture game-winning moments, the best positions to take on the court or field, and how to prepare effectively for big events. I will provide examples of creative techniques used by professionals to enhance storytelling in sports photography, as well as guidance on choosing the right camera and lens for various sporting events.

On-Site Contests: Writing, Photography & Social Media

Glenn Krake (West Linn HS)

Library Learning Center 203

Come compete in one of three on-site on-demand competitions. At the beginning of the session, you'll receive a prompt to produce either a writing piece, a photo & caption, or  social media posts based on the prompt/topic. Submit your entry by the end of the session hour. Winners will be announced and promoted online and on social media @oregonjea

Adviser Roundtable Q&A

Patricia Turley (Retired)

Library Learning Center 303

Advisers, join us for a roundtable discussion of the issues and challenges you are currently facing. Come to share ideas and experience with others.

Buy the Book: Marketing a Yearbook Culture at Your School

Kate McGuire (Springfield HS)

Library Learning Center 310

This session will focus on creative ways to engage the different audiences at your school to not only increase sales but create a culture around yearbook. 

From Magazine to Mogazine: How to Publish like a Pro

June Baeck, Margot Kalmanson (Grant HS)

Library Learning Center 312

Grant Magazine editors share how their staff turned their once-hated magazine into a more respected publication through simple changes. 

Theme Copy Worth Reading

Genie Westfall (Varsity)

Innovation Center 300

Your theme copy doesn't have to be boring!  See examples of theme copy and learn what separates the great from the, well, not so great.  

Solutions Journalism

Allison Frost (OPB)

Portland Campus Center 212

How can we contribute to a more accurate portrayal of the world we live in, and help combat news fatigue, and depression that comes from over consumption of news? Solutions journalism helps outlets tell the whole story and create a more engaged citizenry. 

Managing a Newsroom

Amanda Carlton (Pacific HS)

Innovation Center Auditorium 121

Managing a Newsroom is a fast-paced, real-talk seminar about what it actually takes to run the show. From breaking news chaos to deadline pressure and big decision-making moments, we’ll tackle it all. Expect honest stories, practical tips, and a few laughs. Leading a newsroom is serious work, but it doesn’t have to be dull.

Covering Protests

Tom Henderson (Independent)

Library Learning Center 112

Covering protests can be exciting, challenging and scary. How can you go beyond broadly summarizing a protest to telling stories on the human level? And how do you protect yourself when political passions threaten to erupt in confrontation? This session provides students with strategies and best practices.

Contest Judging

OJEA Board

Library Learning Center 203

Judges, please join us for contest judging after lunch.

OJEA Student Advisory Panel Work Session

Glenn Krake, Akshay Shah (West Linn HS)

Library Learning Center 303

Working and creating a panel of students across Oregon student Journalism publications to connect, share resources and ideas, represent their publications and the state of Oregon as a whole. Create the foundational elements for a student board, including districting, planning a monthly newsletter, finding ways to present at media days, connecting with OJEA board members to give insight on students, etc.

Photography for All

Matt Holmes (Walsworth)

Library Learning Center 310

Anyone, regardless of experience, can take great images when you master the basics. In this photography crash course, we’ll talk about the composition tricks and techniques that will immediately elevate your photography and visual storytelling.

High school sportscasting

Alex Derlago, Ryan Williams (Wilsonville High School)

Library Learning Center 312

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.

Succeeding in College Media

Ty Tilden (Flux / University of Oregon)

Innovation Center 300

Learn what you need to bridge the gap between high school, college and professional journalism. Develop strategies for building and applying your experience to get opportunities in university and beyond. 

Meet PBS News Student Reporting Labs

Emily Tkaczibson (PBS News Student Reporting Labs)

Portland Campus Center 212

PBS News Student Reporting Labs is a hands-on multimedia student journalism training program. Join this session to learn about how students can pitch stories for national publication and get support from professional journalists, and how educators can access free lesson plans, tutorials, and training. You’ll also learn how student reporters have been reporting on the issues that matter to them in their communities — and how you can get involved in future projects.

TRIVIA NIGHT! - Journalism Quiz Bowl

Glenn Krake, JD McIntire (West Linn, Sandy HS)

Innovation Center Auditorium 121

Grab a couple of friends and put together a quiz bowl team. Come and join teams of 3-5 in a fun interactive "Trivia-Night" style Quiz Bowl. Questions range from Journalism Terms, Design, Photography, Press Law, US History, Current Events, General Trivia. By the end of the session we'll crown the first annual "Spring Media Day Quiz Bowl Champions." 

Who Are You Reporting For? Why Journalism Still Matters

Andrew DeVigal (SOJC)

Library Learning Center 112

Why do some stories get noticed while others are overlooked? In this interactive workshop, you’ll see how listening helps journalists tell stories that matter. Discover how reporting can give people a voice, build community, and create real change, starting in your own school or town.

Making the Big Bucks

Beth Zilk (Mountain View HS)

Library Learning Center 310

Learn how to make money off of things you are already doing in class and incorporate activities that can create more income for your program.

Eyewitness Reporting Enhances News Writing

Pat Albright (Retired)

Library Learning Center 312

Philip Graham, former owner of the Washington Post,  says that journalism is the first draft of history. Assuming that'd the case, that first draft benefits from on-site eyewitness reporting to assure the news writing is as accurate as possible. Second-hand reporting can lead to misinformation and distortion of the facts.