By Athena Xing and Andrew Georgy
The annual journalism conference “J-Day” hosted more than 150 high school students for a day of workshops and competitions at Cal State Northridge on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Workshops were led by L.A. Times journalists on topics including photojournalism, podcasting, video journalism, art and design. Students also tested their skills in writing and multimedia competitions. A keynote presentation was led by Eddie Cota, a CSUN alumnus and the editor and founder of independent, local news publication Whittier Informed.
J-Day was hosted in partnership with the L.A. Times High School Insider, the SoCal Journalism Education Association, the CSUN Journalism Department, and with support from the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Students had eight workshops to choose from including “How to Responsibly Report on AI” by L.A. Times Tech Reporter Ella Chakarian, “Expand Your Readership Through Social Media” by L.A. Times Platforms Analyst Defne Karabatur and “Pitch It! How to Get Your Story in the News” by Sophie Chap, PBS SoCal senior manager of communications.
Other multimedia workshops included “Video Journalism: An Industry in Flux” by L.A. Times Video Journalist Albert Brave Tiger Lee, “Talk to an L.A. Times Photo Editor” by Photojournalist Calvin Alagot and “Creating a Multi-platform News Package” by Katerina Portela, L.A. Times reporter and “De Los” associate podcast producer.
After the day kicked off with opening remarks, competitions began and teachers participated in an adviser session. In the news and opinion writing competitions, students wrote about E-bike safety. For sports writing, competitors wrote sports feature stories about two CSUN student athletes and their athletic journeys/
Students had to find creative ways to cover a story in a limited time. Criteria for writing competitions included general writing ability, editing, such as AP Style and grammar, and how effectively writers established their lead.
After lunch, attendees listened to Cota discuss his independent, local news outlet Whittier Informed. The publication grew from an Instagram account with more than 65,000 followers that covers local stories about Whittier. Cota gave tips on pursuing journalism and how student journalists can have an immense impact on news reporting in their community.
For example, Cota talked about a college sophomore who created a viral Instagram story with more than 40,000 views about the rising rent prices for seniors at Whittier Downs Mobile Home Park. The story prompted intense community discussion and city officials to meet with Whittier Downs.
For the writing and multimedia competitions hosted by SCJEA, three students won in each competition category including news writing, opinion writing, sports writing, photojournalism and video journalism. See the full list of competition winners below.
For video and photo competitions, students submitted their work before the conference and reviewed them together during the competition time. The video critique session was led by Ken Kerbs, a former CBS News cameraman, editor, producer, photojournalist and the adviser at Washington Preparatory High School.
Leonardo Castaneda, a senior at Oak Park High School and Editor-in-Chief of his school newspaper The Talon, competed in feature writing.
“I learned a lot of vital information that not only is going to benefit my writing but also the newsroom back at my high school,” Castaneda said.
Abigail Chin, a sophomore and arts editor for the Walnut High School newspaper The Hoofprint, competed in opinion writing. She said J-Day was “a really informative experience.”
Students interested in further pursuing journalism are encouraged to write for High School Insider. New students looking to get started with HS Insider can find more information on how to Join HSI here.
Check out the video recap of J-Day by HS Insider reporters Athena Xing and Madeline Ng on the L.A. Times HS Insider Instagram.
The HS Insider Team would like to thank all volunteers, workshop speakers, advisers and students for making J-Day possible.
See the full list of workshop speakers and competition winners below.
Workshops:
“Video Journalism: An Industry in Flux” by LAT video journalist Albert Brave Tiger Lee
“Talk to an L.A. Times Photo Editor” by LAT photojournalist Calvin Alagot
“Reporting on Law Enforcement for Student Newsrooms” by Libor Jany, L.A. Times LAPD reporter
“Pitch It! How to Get Your Story in the News” by Sophie Chap, PBS SoCal senior manager of communications
“Creating a Multi-platform News Package” by Katerina Portela, LAT reporter and “De Los” associate podcast producer
“Expand Your Readership Through Social Media” by Defne Karabatur, L.A. Times platforms analyst
“How to Responsibly Report on AI” by Ella Chakarian, L.A. Times tech reporter
“Design 101 for Student Publications” by Elsie Ramos, L.A. Times art and design editor
News writing
First place: Fiona Carter, Buena High School
Second place: Bruno Shapiro, Newbury Park High School
Third place: Angela Hua, Foothill Technology High School
Feature writing
First place: Jessica Wang, Walnut High School
Second place: Leyna Phan, Temple City High School
Third place: Breanna Pineda, Sunny Hills High School
Opinion writing
First place: Isabella Huang, Sage Hill High School
Second place: Nathalie Attaya, Fountain Valley High School
Third place: Kaylee Chang, Walnut High School
Sports writing
First place: Kate McIntosh, Newbury Park
Second place: Luc Niren, Millikan
Third place: Kayla Phan, Temple
Video journalism
First place: Tania Lopez, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
Second place: Isabella Guzman, North Hollywood High School
Third place: Valerie Sanchez, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
News Photography
First place: Benjamin Breaux , Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
Second place: Zoe Meza, West Covina High School
Third place: Sofia Nguyen, Fountain Valley High School
Feature Photography
First place: Heidi Torres, Norte Vista High School
Second place: Raeka Wang, Mt. SAC Early College Academy
Third place: Desirae Carns, Daniel Pearl Magnet High School
Sports Photography
First place: Kalista Samples, Foothill Technology High School
Second place: Daisy Wang, Walnut High School
Third place: Marisol Barragan, Mt. SAC Early College Academy
