On Thursday, Oct. 24, three members of the Yearbook staff: Jolyce Snyder, Khamani Dyson, and Nyieer Young, and one of the advisors, Mrs. McCloskey, went to Bloomsburg University for the annual fall high school press association conference. Around 125 student-journalists and advisors converged on Bloom from across NEPA and Central PA.
They started with Snyder participating in a photography competition, and Dyson and Young participating in a copy-writing competition. After the competitions, the group sat through presentations where they heard from veteran photojournalist Jimmy May, Press Enterprise Editor Peter Kendron, WVIA reporter Isabela Weiss, Editor Novalea Verno of The Voice, and Jaime North from Commonwealth’s marketing team. Finally, the group dined in one of the campus’s dining hall before heading back to the high school with invaluable advice.
Reflecting on the trip, Snyder commented: “Attending the journalism conference at Bloomsburg University was truly eye-opening. Surrounded by others who share my passion for capturing real, meaningful stories, I felt both challenged and inspired to see the world through a new lens. The workshops pushed me to think about photography not just as an art form but as a tool for impact and connection. Hearing from seasoned journalists attending Bloomsburg reminded me why I want to pursue a career in this field- to amplify voices, share untold stories, and make a difference. This experience was more than just learning new techniques; it was a reminder of the power and responsibility we hold as storytellers.
Alongside her, Dyson commented: “The journalism conference at Bloomsburg University was a surprising highlight of my years by far! I wasn’t super sure about it at first, but it turned out to be a super fun experience. From meeting new students to learning about new ways to do the yearbook I left feeling inspired and that I had a future home at Bloomsburg.”
