Feature

Learning while succeeding

Amelia Jenkins, Editor-In-Chief of Print Newspaper • November 4, 2024

Georgia Scholastic Press Association Ambassadors pose for a photo at the GSPA Photo Booth during the fall conference.

On Oct. 24, over 850 student journalists and 44 high schools across the state gathered at the University of Georgia Tate Student Center for the annual Georgia Scholastic Press Association Conference. Georgia Scholastic Press Association (GSPA) holds two conferences a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. The conferences are an opportunity for students to hear from professors from UGA and other colleges as well as

The Pitchfork staff members pose for a photo in the University of Georgia Tate Student Center where the GSPA Fall Conference took place.

their peers about various topics in ‘sessions’. The fall conference holds five sessions during the day with students able to choose out of around five different presenters to hear from for each session. The presenters’ topics range from journalism, to film techniques, to yearbook design, to photography, and so much more. The conference is open for all journalism students, ranging from newspaper students, to magazines, film students, and yearbook students.

“It’s about the opportunity, the chance to be around the people who have been setting the bar when it comes to journalism,” Mr. Dempsey, Marietta’s Audio Video Technology and Film teacher and Blue Devil News’ Executive Producer, said. “At the University of Georgia, you have the Grady College of Journalism and people like Dodie Cantrell who’s been in the television news business for 30 something years and has been a news director at major market stations and you get to go in there for nothing and listen to her and learn from her.”

During the day of the conference, GSPA holds several contests for students and their publications to submit to. They have the On-the-Spot Social Media Contest, On-the-Spot Photo Contest, and the First Issue Competition that includes sections of front page, feature story, sports story, news story, and opinion piece. The contests centered around the theme, “Viewpoints” which went with the overall conference theme of “Broadening Perspectives”.

“I think that any time we get a chance to put our students into a position to compete and to test their skills against other people that it ultimately makes our program stronger,” Mr. Dempsey said.

Marietta Pitchfork Editors hold up the first issue of The Pitchfork, celebrating their front page win. (Photo by Colette DePasquale)

Marietta High School’s newspaper “The Pitchfork” attended the GSPA conference this year and took home first place for the First Issue Competition under the front page category. Judges looked for content, page design, photography, and eye-catching headlines, all which sums up a front page spread. The award is another The Pitchfork can add to their list of accolades. The Pitchfork will attend the GSPA Conference in the spring and continue participating in future competitions.

Overall, the conference provides an opportunity to meet and connect with professionals in the journalism industry. As well, it connects student journalists together and allows them to experience what other high schools and programs are doing.

Donate to The Pitchfork

Your donation will support the student journalists of Marietta High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Contributors

Amelia Jenkins, Editor-In-Chief of Print Newspaper

Amelia Jenkins is a full IB Diploma Programme student at Marietta High School. She is currently in her junior year at Marietta and serves as the Editor-In-Chief of the print newspaper for The Pitchfork as well as a Georgia Scholastic Press Association Student Ambassador. She is also an active student council member and is the current Student Body Publicity Chair for Marietta. In addition to being involved in the Marietta High School community, she has joined the IB Film pathway and wants to continue learning about film and communications through the next two years. After school, she dances at Georgia Dance Conservatory, located on the historic Marietta Square, and also is a new student teacher there. In addition, she is a company member of Georgia Metro Dance Theater participating in many performances throughout the year and spreading joy and love through her dancing. When not dancing, you can often find her curled up with an exciting book, spending time with her friends and family, or finding ways to become more connected with the Marietta High School community. After High School, Amelia plans to study entertainment and media/journalism in college and pursue a career in the communications/film industry.

Colette DePasquale, Business Manager

Colette DePasquale is a senior at Marietta High School and is a member and the business manager of Marietta’s newspaper, The Pitchfork. She is a full IB Diploma Programme student. She is a varsity cross-country and track athlete and a three-time state Cross Country Champion. She participates in many school activities including the National Honors Society and Beta Club. Colette also serves as the co-president of Interact Club, co-founder and co-president of Blankets for Buddies, and a student council representative. Colette works as a smoothie barista at Updog Smoothies and Juices. In the future, she wants to go to college and major in biology in hopes of pursuing a career in the medical field. In her free time, Colette enjoys running, cooking, painting, and reading.