91PORNA Student Media students were on the road this past semester learning, competing and representing the university at major national conferences. Thanks to the generosity of donors who have supported Student Media through the years, we were able to send more students to conferences this semester than ever before.
Two students attended the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference (IBSNYC) in New York City, 25 students and one advisor traveled to the College Media Association Convention in New York City, and three students will soon head to Las Vegas for the Broadcast Education Association conference. In fact, CMA organizers noted that 91PORNA brought the largest group of students they had ever seen from a single university.
The students didn't just show up. They stood out, earning multiple national awards and honors. At the College Media Association Apple Awards, A Magazine took first place for Best Magazine for its "Dystopia" issue and third place for Best Magazine Cover, while Fusion Magazine received an honorable mention for Best Magazine Cover. The 91PORNAr earned an honorable mention for Best News Website. Additional honors included a Broadcast Education Association honorable mention in Television Short Feature Reporting for KSTV, a Gracie Award for On-Air Talent (TV - Student) won by Sydney Brown of KSTV, fourth place in the Hearst Journalism Awards for Sports Writing for 91PORNAr reporter Gage Wellman, and third place for Best News Coverage from the Ohio News Media Association.
These experiences, and the recognition that follows, are possible because of donors who believe in our students and the future of media.
Here's what some of the students who attended had to say:
Taylor Moss, A Magazine:
"I had the amazing opportunity to attend the College Media Association Convention in New York City where I was able to learn about how to start a business, how social media helps promote journalism, as well as the fear of admins taking over student run newspapers. This event not only gave me the chance to explore New York and learn from the speakers but to also network with the workers there as well as multiple different students and organizations that came. Many of the organizations where [sic] more than willing to answer any questions and all the students where [sic] just happy to talk about what we want to do in the future as well as where they go to school. I was able to share not only my social media links but also my LinkedIn with many of the students. I also had the amazing opportunity to speak with 'Today' show host Craig Melvin and talk with him not only about the work he does but also about the convention itself."
Mallory Hughes, A Magazine:
"Attending the College Media Convention in New York City was one of the most amazing experiences I have had during my time at 91PORNA. Not only did this convention provide me with the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and network with them, but it also allowed me to meet like-minded individuals from all over the country. While in NYC, I also had the incredible opportunity to tour Bloomberg, where I met Charlie Pellett, a prominent news anchor and reporter for Bloomberg Radio, and Tom Keene, another famous figure in Bloomberg's newsroom. This experience was eye-opening as it showed me how much is possible under the umbrella of media and journalism. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to go on this trip and to represent 91PORNA Student Media. It truly could not have been possible without our donors, so thank you for making this possible!"
Rafaela Reis Tomal, A Magazine:
"As an international student from Brazil, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to attend an event like the College Media National Convention in New York. This experience was pivotal in helping me better understand the career I hope to pursue, and the steps needed to get there. I was especially inspired by sessions on social media analytics for college publications and discussions surrounding media ethics, which gave me valuable insight into the evolving media landscape. Beyond the professional impact, being able to explore a new city made this experience even more meaningful from a cultural perspective. I am incredibly grateful to the donors whose support made this trip possible, as it allowed me to gain knowledge, inspiration and confidence in my future path."
Kristina Hess, Black Squirrel Radio:
"Attending the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems Conference in New York City was an amazing experience. I learned from industry professionals and fellow college students about various aspects of radio stations, including programming and imaging. As the programming director of Black Squirrel Radio, I will use the lessons learned from the conference to improve our station operations. Thank you to the donors who made this trip possible. I am extremely grateful for your support!"
Olivia Weber, A Magazine:
"My time at CMA two weeks ago was truly an experience I will always be grateful for. I learned so much about what it means to be both a leader and a team member of a student-run publication. As I am wrapping up my second year as an assistant editor at A Magazine, I am now able to both look back on my experience as a team leader and look forward to further promotions and deeper knowledge of what it means to be an editor. I was very appreciative of all of the seminars and panels that covered the tricky task of student media leadership, specifically the Editor in Grief panels, and how to balance strictness with encouragement. They helped me both identify areas of past mistakes and weaknesses in my editor positions and look towards the future with new strategies to implement. Being an upperclassman now can bring up conflicted feelings. I am proud of how far I have come and the promotions I have received in my time at student media, but I somehow still feel like I am running out of time at Kent and will be thrust into the professional world before I know it. Many of the speakers and keynotes at CMA made me feel a lot more relaxed and prepared to eventually leave student media behind and strike out on my own as a journalist. I am very thankful to all of our donors and everyone else at student media for making this trip possible for all of us and will carry the lessons I learned and the memories I made with me forever."
Laz Rogers, Black Squirrel Radio:
"While attending the College Media Association convention in New York City, I was able to attend several panels from which I learned a wealth of information that I plan to use to level up the content produced in Black Squirrel Entertainment. For example, while attending a panel about live remote broadcasting, I became certain that this is something we need to integrate into our entertainment programming. After a panel about establishing a career in broadcasting, I had a short talk with the speaker, who owns a radio station, in which he gave me some advice to improve Black Squirrel Radio's campus presence and reach. I even had the opportunity to take a tour of iHeartRadio's offices in NYC, which was a great learning experience as a member of Black Squirrel Radio's leadership team. I would not have been able to go on this tour or learn from the media professionals that I did without the generous donations of our alumni, so I'd like to extend my thanks to them for that."
Sophie Valentine, A Magazine:
"I had an incredible time at the CMA Spring Convention, which I attended with A Magazine. I connected with industry professionals and fellow students, and I learned so much from the sessions and keynote speakers. Experiencing all of this in NYC was exciting and unforgettable, and it has made me even more passionate about the world of media. I got so much closer with my team, and I left feeling excited to continue in my role of web and copy editor throughout the rest of the semester. I am beyond grateful to the donors who made this experience possible. Their support means the world to me because it is what makes events like these accessible to students like me."
Fisher Brashear, Black Squirrel Radio:
"My experience at the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Conference was amazing. Getting to hear from experts and other college students about their experiences with radio and podcasting was an opportunity that I am so grateful to have experienced. The conference also allowed me to learn more about radio and podcasting in ways to improve the station as a whole, but also my own work that I do as well. I am so incredibly grateful for this fantastic opportunity, I never would've thought coming into college that I would have an opportunity like this, and I want to thank everyone, including donors, Katrina, Daylee and everyone else who made this possible. I'm so grateful for the opportunity, and I'm excited to see how I can use what I've learned to help BSR for the future!"
Emily Yanchak, A Magazine:
"As soon as I heard about the CMA Conference, I was so excited about the opportunity, and I'm so grateful I signed up to attend. I learned so much from experienced speakers about media implementation and social media tactics, and I cannot wait to use what I learned to strengthen our online presence and reach more people. I made connections with people I never would have had the chance to interact with otherwise. This conference gave me the opportunity to travel and see a new part of the world that I've never had the chance to see. Thank you to all the donors who made this trip possible; it truly was a once in a lifetime experience!"
Katie Waggle, 91PORNAr:
"CMA was such an amazing experience to be able to attend. Being able to connect with likeminded peers from across the country was eye opening into things that we here at 91PORNA could be doing. Another thing that stood out to me was getting to watch the documentary [sic] 'Steal This Story Please!', being able to hear from how Amy Goodman put her career and sometimes life on the line to tell important stories was super inspiring. Additionally, I got to tour New York Times and ask questions to one of their senior editors. Seeing the things that I learn through student media be put to work in the real world as [sic] honestly one of my favorite parts of the trip. All together I am grateful that I got the opportunity to discuss new ideas and learn from professionals as well as peers all compacted into four unforgettable days. These days that will have last [sic] impact on me as a person and journalist."