This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the JEA/NSPA Fall National High School Journalism Convention in Chicago. Greeted by loads of fast-paced traffic and aggressive honking, Chicago was a completely different atmosphere than Hastings. For three days, I listened to keynote speakers and advisors break down what it takes to crack into the field of journalism. I learned everything from writing a good story, to doing interviews, to making a successful career in journalism. I was able to communicate with other students my age and of my interests to compare our publications and see what is happening in high schools around the country. I made a lot of new friends, including two boys named Sam from a suburb outside of Chicago, and a girl named Savannah from Lawrence, Kansas. Alongside the conference, I was also able to explore the city. My parents and I walked the town and explored Chicago’s greatest attractions like Cloud Gate, more commonly known as “The Bean”, and Navy Pier. We indulged in typical Chicago food items (deep dish pizza from Giordano’s, Stan’s Donuts, and the classic Chicago dog). I learned a lot about journalism, but also was able to revisit a city with an amazing culture.
