By SHAYLIN TURNER
On Wednesday, March 14, 24 of Boone’s journalism students head to Columbia University in New York for a scholastic press conference.
Students sit through lectures in the 258 year old classrooms educating them on the journalism subjects they love and are so passionate about.
“The conference at Columbia is a way for students to learn more about the ethics of journalism,” Legend yearbook editor-and-chief Allie Sloan said. “It really gives the kids the idea of journalism, and if they want to stay in the profession.”
This is a great educational opportunity for the publications staff, but while they are there they will be seeing just about everything the great city has to offer from a New York Knicks game to the viewing of the Empire State Building.
“My favorite part of the whole trip is getting to hangout with people you love. There is never a dull moment,” Sloan said.
Legend, Boone’s yearbook, is also a nominee for the Columbia Scholastic Press Association Crown award for their book “Just Sayin.” While in New York the yearbook staff will find out whether they earned a Gold or Silver award.
The Gold Crown award is the highest award given by the CSPA. Legend has received one Gold Crown award for their volume 55, “Established” in 2007, and has earned four Silver crowns in the past four years.
“I absolutely think the kids deserve it,” publications teacher Renee Burke said. “They work really hard to capture everything on campus. They have modern design and they have quality photos and great stories.”
To be recognized at a national level is a huge accomplishment.
“I feel so honored to say that I created that with Caley,” Sloan said. “When you put that much work into something it really makes you happy.”
All features of the book are carefully evaluated before being nominated for the award. Some of these evaluations include the presentation, photography, content and the writing along with editing. The critiquing of the book can be beneficial to the kids so they know whether they should do something different for the next year, or just have that knowledge for their future.
“Hopefully I am teaching them the right skills so when they get into the work force they know what they are doing,” Burke said.
According to Burke the class can be stressful due to the fast paced deadlines, but she is always proud of her students.
“Yearbook can be a love hate relationship,” Sloan said. “But it always ends up working out for the better.”