welcomes you to the UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS for the SPRING CONVENTION April 16-17, 2016 Welcome to the 2016 Convention Experience the sessions... And make a difference with your stories ep. That’s me in the top photo. My senior Texas have converged on Austin each spring to attend year. Big hair. Lots of eyeliner and chubby the state scholastic journalism convention. In that time, Ycheeks. Below that photo, you see me now. famous and infamous have been here as students and Not exactly now, but this year (thanks to Hal teachers. The famous, ranging from Walter Cronkite Schmidt who talked me into taking a photo). to U.S. Representatives such as Martin Frost and Kay So you may be asking yourself, “Why on earth Granger to celebrities such as Sissy Spacek and writers would she publish those photos? Is she crazy?” such as Rob Thomas, have learned from the best of the Probably. But mostly I wanted to show you how best in Texas scholastic journalism. much I’ve changed and how much I’ve stayed the ILPC’s involvement in education began same. approximately 88 years ago. The University of Texas It’s pretty much what’s happening in journalism Department of Journalism hosted a small group of high today. It is changing. It’s maturing. It’s moving. But school students and advisers for the first Interscholastic it’s also staying the same. League Press Conference convention. The convention Confused yet? had its beginning with Paul J. Thompson, a UT Don’t be. If you listen to the rumors and gossip, journalism professor who believed that wherever you may hear that journalism is dying. Don’t believe journalism was taught, it should be taught well. it. Journalism isn’t dying. It’s changing, but it’s not To that end, he was instrumental in setting up dying. summer courses for high school journalism teachers. He Throughout this year, we have seen great originated the idea of spring meetings for high school journalism from the professionals covering the journalism students. The first two-day conference was bombing in Brussels to the torandoes ripping conducted on May 8-9, 1925. According to an article through the South. And it’s not just at the in the Interscholastic Leaguer, 30 delegates attended. professional level where we are seeing stories The second conference was held in the spring that change lives. At the scholastic level student of 1928. This time lapse occurred because Governor journalists are reporting about everything from racism to teen Miriam Ferguson had vetoed the appropriation for the UT suicide. Department of Journalism in 1926, and the department was not Powerful stories. Life-changing stories. Stories that make a reinstated until the fall of 1927. difference. That same year, DeWitt Reddick assumed responsibility for So don’t believe the rumors. Don’t fear the future. the ILPC program. Under his guidance, ILPC grew into one Journalism is not dying. Just listen to our presenters as they of the nation’s largest student press associations and directors share their stories and their experiences, and I think you will such as Reddick, Max Haddick, Bobby Hawthorne and Randy agree. Journalism is strong, my friends. And I hope as you grow, Vonderheid have been instrumental in making Texas scholastic you will make it stronger. journalism the best in the nation. Embrace the sessions and the speakers. Attend as many as Questions you can. Ask questions and take notes. Listen to the stories. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of me and of any veteran Make contacts. Get motivated. teacher/adviser here. Journalism teachers are the best bunch of Many, many years ago when I was in high school, ILPC people to know. If we’ve never met, please stop by the registration changed my life. It gave me direction and inspiration. I hope we table and introduce yourself. can do the same for you over the next two days. In the beginning of this welcome, I said “we host.” I The Convention did not, nor could not, organize this convention by myself. This year we again are headquartered in Welch Hall but are Glenda Muñoz, Jenny Nichols and Lisa Atkins — all UIL using six other buildings. That means you will have to go on a event coordinators; Stephanie Marcu, our graduate assistant; bit of a treasure hunt to find your sessions. Lauren Kelley, my intern; and the other UIL interns did a Don’t be afraid to venture out to find that great presenter. huge amount of hard work to make this convention a success. Use the map printed in the this program and look for our Bobby Hawthorne, former UIL academic director, and Randy UIL workers ready to help give you direction and answer any Vonderheid, the former ILPC director, also gave us much- questions you have. We are wearing the crazy bright, multi- needed advice and direction. colored tie-dyed T-shirts, so we shouldn’t be hard to miss. Finally, I must thank the advisers who volunteered their Before selecting your sessions, read the bios of our speakers. time to present a session or two or three or six. We couldn’t put We have so many impressive journalists, professors and advisers on this show without them. Thanks. donating their time this weekend. My advice: Split up your staffs Now stop reading and go enjoy your adventure. so you can get as much variety as possible to take home with you. Enjoy the adventure. JEANNE ACTON ILPC History ILPC Director For the past 88 years, students and teachers from all points of 2 ILPC Convention • 2015-16 Important Stuff You Should Know • REGISTRATION • TOPS IN TEXAS IAAs The registration desk is located on the ground Winners of the Tops in Texas Individual floor of Welch Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat- Achievement Awards will be announced and med- urday. On Sunday, the registration desk will be als presented at 5 p.m. Saturday in WEL 2.224. open from 8 - 9:30 a.m. Those eligible for Tops in Texas IAAs are the first place winners in each conference of the yearbook • IN-SERVICE CREDIT and print newspaper IAA contests. We will have professional development in- This awards assembly generally takes no more service certificates at the registration desk. than 30 minutes to complete. • ADVISERS, ARE YOU HUNGRY? • MEDALS Stop by the Balfour Publishing Company Hungry? All other IAA medals can be claimed at the Luncheon, 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday in WEL How about a registration desk. Extra medals are $5 each and 2.304. free lunch? may be purchased at the registration desk also. TAJE will have coffee and pastries for advis- Tops in Texas medals are $10 each. Unclaimed ers and presenters Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. in Jim medals will be mailed to the schools during the WEL 2.304. Anderson and week following the convention. Balfour Publish- VISIT EXHIBITORS ing Company will PARKING • provide lunch for • Check out the exhibits on the ground floor advisers at 11:45 a.m. Please park in a parking garage or in a legal of Welch. Exhibitors will have a wide range of in- Saturday in WEL parking spot. If you get a ticket, it’s yours. We structional material, handouts and assorted other 2.304. Signs will be can’t make tickets go away. goodies. Check them out! posted. • BADGES • CERTIFICATES You can pick up your badges from the regis- Certificates, lists of award winners, newspaper tration desk. Please wear them. rating booklets and other materials will be mailed to schools after the convention. Unclaimed med- als and plaques will also be mailed after the con- vention. UIL Executive Director welcomes you CONVENTION STAFF On behalf of student journalism program. It is the University our hope that you will develop a deep • Jeanne Acton — convention director Interscholastic appreciation for the communications • Lisa Atkins — event coordinator League, it is process and a greater understanding • Glenda Muñoz — event coordinator my honor to of the press in our society. The press • Jenny Nichols — event coordinator welcome you to brings us a better understanding of • Stephanie Marcu — ILPC graduate assistant The University of the world around us and should be Texas at Austin truly appreciated. • John Trowbridge — convention assistant for the 89th Whether you later attend The • Lauren Kelley— student intern annual ILPC University of Texas at Austin or State Convention. another university to pursue a career BUILDING KEY For almost nine decades, the in journalism or follow another UIL and The University of Texas at path to the future, we are pleased •WEL- Welch Hall Austin have worked closely to provide to introduce you to Austin and • WCH - Will C. Hogg Building student journalists with the best The University. I hope you have a • PAI - Painter Hall possible resources to develop a passion successful convention. Welcome to •GEA - Gearing Hall for journalism because we understand Austin! • WAG - Waggener Hall the educational benefits derived Charles Breithaupt • PHR - Pharmacy Building from participation in a quality UIL Executive Director 3 ILPC Convention • 2015-16 Welcome to the 2016 Convention Overview of Schedule Saturday, April 16 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. — Registration in Welch Hall (ground level) 10 - 10:45 — Featured Q&A session • Lisa Falkenberg, Houston Chronicle WEL 2.224 11 - 11: 45 a.m. — Keynote Speaker • Jessica Luther, freelance writer/reporter WEL 2.224 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. — Advisers’ luncheon • WEL 2.304 1 - 1:45 p.m. — Break-out sessions 2 - 2:45 p.m.