Ten Arlington High School (AHS) students attended the Columbia Scholastic Press Association conference March 15-17 at Columbia University in New York. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this trip hasn’t taken place since 2019. Students attended 10 different sessions that trained student journalists to responsibly report the news using different methods and provided them with skills to pursue a career in journalism or other pathways.
“I was inspired by how many schools or people in general attended and how the advisors were there to help us improve our content,” said AHS Sophomore Briar Dowdy. “At the end of the day when we would share things from the sessions, I was thrilled to see how much we took away from the convention.”
AHS Junior Mia Guertin said, “Going to New York really solidified what I want to do in college, and I really found something that I can be passionate about. I learned how to tell the story, even when it’s controversial. I went to a convention that gave job advice and learned the opportunities you have to make money with a journalism degree.”
In addition to attending the conference, the students and chaperones also visited different New York landmarks such as Central Park and Times Square. Yearbook sale activities and family contributions helped fund this opportunity for the students.
"My hope is that they come back having learned some things about journalism that will help our program,” said AHS Student News Media and English Teacher, Anne Hayman. “I also hope they come back having an awareness of life outside Snohomish County.”