Image: Award winners Bethany Day and Sophia Braida pictured above (L to R)
By: Reagan Anderson
On Friday, April 11, six members of the Paupack Press traveled to Wilkes to partake in the 25th annual Tom Bigler journalism conference. There they got to go to two different workshops and learn from people who have experience in their journalism career. The six members that attended were Reagan Anderson, Sophia Braida, Molly Cunningham, Olivia Kogan, Kiana Madrigal, and Sutton Rizzo.
For the first workshop, students got to talk to a state trooper who was a PR (Public Relations) representative. This man’s name was William Evans, and he talked about his experiences in his career, how he earned his position as the PR representative. He gave opportunities for students from many different schools to ask him questions about his path and what his day-to-day life entails.
For the second workshop, students got to speak with Frankie Warren, who is a broadcaster on Magic 93. Frankie talked a lot about how the digital world is starting to change the world and how it works today. He remembers many times when people would tune in to listen who have now changed their choice or radio to the newer apps that are available on cell phones. Because of this change, he believes that creating connections with your audience will make listeners more likely to tune back in. Frankie gave an example of how many times, he would tell his audience personal stories, so they would come back to hear it as it progresses. “Try to learn as much about it as you can” Frankie states when students ask what makes you stand out in your career. He says always being willing to do what others aren’t will set you apart and help you grow in your career field.
Next, the students listened to a Key Speaker who spoke about his experiences and how his career developed over the year till where it is today. Right after the key speaker, awards were given to different schools around the area under many different categories. The Paupack Press won three awards which were Best Podcast, by Bethany Day, winning 1st place, Sophia Braida’s Feature story winning 2nd, and Kody Hanor’s sports photography earning an honorable mention.
