The 58th annual Florida College System Activities Association Conference took place in at Disney Springs in Orlando, Fla. The conference was for journalism students to meet and learn new journalistic skills to bring back to school with them. The FCSAA event included workshops about various journalistic and media topics, dinners, a dance and an award ceremony for the previous year’s literary magazines and newspapers submissions, that attendees were able to enjoy.
Students for Tallahassee Community College’s newspaper, The Talon, and literary magazine, The Eyrie, attended the conference going to workshops, getting critiques on the publications and receiving awards for the previous works done by the above productions.
One of the workshops students were able to attend was University of South Florida professor Wendy Whitt’s “Tips for Creating FCSPA Award-Winning Publications.” Here students were able to hear the 2017 judge’s feedback and suggestions to improve campus newspapers and literary magazines. Whitt also had a Q&A with those attending the workshop and gave feedback, as well as audience feedback, as to promote peer interactions and suggestions.
Wendy Whitt stands in front of those attending her workshop. She promoted peer review and suggestion throughout the workshop as a way for students to learn what other publications thought of their work and ideas. Whitt was also the FCSAA conference coordinator.
Palm Beach State Professor Lizabeth Martin’s workshop “Multimedia Toolbox,” gave attendees access to websites, sources and
tips to farther their journalism and communications skills. Martin’s main point was “Human Centered Design” and to know the “best time to reach your audience.” She also states that with social media your viewers and listeners will help you correct yourself saying “News is changing every hour on the hour,” and that those who follow you will help you better your work.
Lizabeth Martin tells students to know their value. She made sure to urge students to know that they need to own their brand. “I do believe that you should own your brand, and you should own your brand while you’re a college student.” Martin said.
Tallahassee Community College’s Professor Nicolette Constantino’s workshop “Know your Audience: Tips to Effective Magazine Promotion,” was a hands-on interactive workshop that invited critical thinking about campus demographics and the overall culture of community college. Constantino is the TCC literary magazine, The Eyrie, advisor, who was also in attendance with some of her Eyrie students. As well, TCC newspaper, The Talon, advisor, and professor, Reggie Grant taught a workshop on “Photography Fundamentals: Taking Better Photos for Your Publication.” The workshop included information on content, composition, and lighting, essentials for good photography.
Reggie Grant teaches a workshop on photography. The workshop allowed attendees to learn the basic essentials of good photography. “The workshop was all about the fundamentals of photography- content, composition and lighting. I showed all 96 slides in about 40 minutes, many of them were my own photos and it was a lot of fun.” Grant said.
Former journalist for the Tampa Tribune and current Public Information Officer for the Clearwater police department and Clearwater Fire Rescue Rob Shaw’s workshop “Viral Social Media: The Power of Visuals,” gave attendees insight on the differences between being a journalist and a public information officer. Shaw says the more marketable you make yourself and the more well-rounded you are the better chances you make for yourself. Some of Shaw’s coverage for the CPD, as a Public Information Officer, has made national news on stations such as ABC News.
Rob Shaw speaks with those attending his workshop about the many different encounters he has had a Public Information Officer. He answered questions about how to get information as a journalist, from his aspect of having worked both sides. “Transparency is key.” Shaw said
Tallahassee Community College students Ursula Perano and Jessica Hall look at other school’s literary magazines with TCC Professor Nicolette. The FCSAA conference had tables with the attending school’s literary magazines and newspapers for students to read. “Each magazine was incredibly unique and it was fascinating to see how they all created such different designs based on the same concept.” Ursula Perano said.
An award ceremony was held at the end of the conference to recognize the outstanding literary magazines and newspapers in different categories. Both TCC’s The Eyrie and The Talon won awards at the event. The Eyrie received first place for Best Content, Best Photography, Best Nonfiction, and Best Photo, and second place for Best Fiction. The Talon received awards in four categories. Second place for News Story, third place for Feature Story, Illustration, and Arts Review.
Tallahassee Community College’s literary magazine Editor- in- Chief Jessica Hall and Copy and Photography Editor Harley Preston pose with advisor Nicolette Constantino. The Eyrie won numerous awards at the ceremony. “As Editor-in-Chief of this year’s award-winning magazine, I am beyond honored to have represented the Eyrie team. It is truly humbling to discover people genuinely enjoy and recognize the creativity and intention we put into our work.
