Florida JEA Spring Update
Everything you need to know about JEA and all things journalism in the state of Florida
Hey friends,
Hope this email finds you thriving, surviving or somewhere in between!
I’m grateful for your dedication to student journalism in the state of Florida. As our state director, I get to have tons wonderful conversations with so many of you on the awesome and maybe not so awesome parts of our jobs. As cliche and trite as it sounds, we are stronger together. It’s what we’re about at JEA, FSPA and it’s what I just absolutely love about this role!
Student journalism is not just surviving, but thriving in Florida. We have some fantastic programs doing phenomenal work and I look forward to our spring seasons of conventions and get togethers both here in Florida and around the country.
Don’t hesitate to say hey!
On to the news:
JEA PODCAST
Jim Streisel, MJE has begun a podcast covering standout lessons from the JEA catalogue. Subscribe on Spotify here.
From Jim,
“This week's JEA curriculum content features a new episode of the JEA Curriculum Chat podcast. Cody Harrell, CJE, from East Lansing (Michigan) High School, adapts the New York Times “Portraits of Grief,” which personalized the events of 9/11, to help his students find stories among their peers.
You'll also find a FREE related lesson on the JEA curriculum website titled "Developing Questions for a Profile.”
Florida Student Journalist of the Year
Congratulations to Kailey Calvo from Hagerty High School on being recognized as the Todd C Smith FSPA Student Journalist of the Year.
Zoe Horwitz from American Heritage and Ellie Symons from Dreyfoos School of the Arts placed as runner ups.
Congrats to all!
JEA/NSPA Spring Convention
JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention - Spring 2025
The Spring NHSJ Convention is April 24-26 in Seattle, WA. Take students to experience some of the best instructional sessions by professionals in the field, or go solo as an adviser to feel out the experience for yourself if you're a first-time attendee. I can speak from experience that the speakers here are top-notch, and you have so many opportunities to make strong connections across the nation.
These conferences can sometimes seem overwhelming for first-time attendees, but I am here to help. I will be in Seattle and can assist you there, or I can help you with planning to attend the conference. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need help.
FSPA Spring Convention
We are SO excited for our FSPA Spring Convention from April 3-5th at the Renaissance Hotel at Seaworld Orlando. Head over to the brand new www.floridascholasticpress.com to find more information and to register! Registration ends March 3.
We are also looking for more adviser and professional speakers. If you would like to speak, please fill out the speaker form! Sessions are 40-50 minutes on topics that you would want your students to hear from. If you or someone you know would like to speak, don’t hesitate to reach out!
As always, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Sincerely,
Ben Langevin, CJE
JEA Florida State Director
FSPA Vice President