{"id":648,"date":"2017-06-26T14:42:57","date_gmt":"2017-06-26T18:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/nespa\/?page_id=648"},"modified":"2017-09-08T15:03:11","modified_gmt":"2017-09-08T19:03:11","slug":"newsletter-summer-2017","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/nespa\/newsletter-archive\/newsletter-summer-2017\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter: Summer 2017"},"content":{"rendered":"

NESPA hosts 69th Annual Conference<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Students and teachers from around the region attended 40 sessions at the New England Scholastic Press Association\u2019s 69th Annual Conference at Boston University\u2019s College of Communication Friday, May 5.<\/p>\n

Joe Sciacca, the editor in chief of the Boston Herald, gave the keynote speech, \u201cReinventing journalism: Why these are the best of times.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the other session topics were investigative reporting and high school journalism, blogging, podcasting, writing the personal column, making your site indispensable, covering sports with timely social media and engaging stories, freedom of the press in print and online, yearbook trends, how to get along with your administration, interviewing for print and video, conducting surveys and creating infographics, and how to get into TV news broadcasting.<\/p>\n

Speakers included College of Communication faculty, journalism professionals from the New England region, and high school advisers and staff members.<\/p>\n

In the afternoon, individuals received awards for distinguished service to the scholastic press in New England, and publications and productions received all New England Awards. Stories and complete listings of these awards appear in this posting. <\/p>\n

Also in this posting are the 69 suggestions the Board of Judges has offered on how staffs can improve their work. <\/p>\n

For Special Achievement Awards and Localizing Contest winners please see Vol. 22, No. 3 of NESPA News on this site.<\/p>\n

\n

Herald editor says journalism is thriving<\/strong><\/h2>\n

by Alexandre Silberman<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Joe Sciacca told the crowd how the newspaper business had changed overnight. <\/p>\n

“It was a feeling of impact,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Despite those changes, Sciacca, the editor in chief of the Boston Herald, said the disturbance is positive.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo matter what someone might tell you, or what you might have heard, these are the best of times in journalism,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The keynote speaker Friday, May 5 at the New England Scholastic Press Association\u2019s 69th annual conference, Sciacca told students and advisers how the Herald had adapted to industry changes. The newspaper received an Innovator of the Year award in 2015 from the Associated Press Media Editors organization for its digital radio platform.<\/p>\n

\u201cDisruption is a good thing,\u201d<\/strong> he said. \u201cDisruption breeds creativity, and creativity breeds innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sciacca presented a video that showed how the Boston Herald turned an old conference room into a new platform for storytelling. He said that with limited spending the newspaper has transformed into a multimedia news organization.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe entire media model is being challenged by what people are looking for from the media,\u201d Sciacca said. \u201cPeople want to be active participants in the news process.\u201d<\/p>\n

News has become increasingly visual and mobile, he said. When news breaks, he said, reporters have an immediate voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to open up our minds,<\/strong> and we need to embrace new technology,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Sciacca recalled covering the Challenger space shuttle explosion in 1986. He remembered that reporters ran to use one of the 14 payphones to call in their stories. The Herald printed a special edition. If the event took place today, information would be live from the scene, Sciacca said.<\/p>\n

“We do know people want to be active participants, not lectured to,” he said. “News consumers are becoming increasingly news content generators.”<\/p>\n

He affirmed that the pillars of journalism,<\/strong> including credibility, accuracy, verification, fairness, solid sources, maintaining credibility and shoe leather reporting are necessary, regardless of the platform.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe need for speed does not trump the need for accuracy and credibility,\u201d Sciacca said.<\/p>\n

Data journalism and computer-assisted reporting can be good, he said, but there is no substitute for traditional practices.
\n\u201cThe most powerful thing you can do is look someone eye-to-eye and interview them,\u201d Sciacca said. \u201cThe ability to read their faces will help you tell the story.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said that meaningful, high impact stories were what got him into journalism. Sciacca wrote about an asylum seeker who was mistreated by a judge, and the case was re-held the next day. He reported on a boat club on the Charles River on state land that excluded women from joining. His story helped lead to the reversal of the policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cJournalism is not dead,” Sciacca said. “It\u2019s thriving. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to redouble our efforts,<\/strong> and we need to balance those ideals with the new technology.\u201d<\/p>\n

He addressed the concerns of fake news and clickbait, adding that the biggest challenge is keeping faith with readers.<\/p>\n

\u201cClickbait is an insult to readers,\u201d Sciacca said. \u201cYou\u2019re treating them like clicks instead of like humans.\u201d<\/p>\n

He suggested that students ingest a variety of news content, to see differences in coverage and keep pushing for transparency.<\/p>\n

“Fight against injustice,<\/strong> and do it in a credible way,” he said. “The biggest challenge we have is keeping faith with our readers.”<\/p>\n

Sciacca said that being in a room filled with emerging journalists made him feel positive about the future. <\/p>\n

He concluded his speech by telling the crowd the best trait for young journalists:
\n\u201cPassion is the one thing that I think makes a successful journalist,\u201d he said.
\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022
\nAlexandre Silberman is an editor of The Register at Burlington High School in Burlington, Vt.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Daniel Sharkovitz receives Robert Baram Award<\/strong><\/h2>\n

For his exemplary leadership in the region\u2019s scholastic press, Daniel Sharkovitz received the Robert Baram Award.<\/p>\n

The criteria for the award are as follows:<\/p>\n

“With the Robert Baram Award the New England Scholastic Press Association honors distinguished advisers from this region who have helped students raise their sights and standards in the practice of school journalism. <\/p>\n

“The award is named for Robert Baram, founder and for 46 years the executive director of the Association. <\/p>\n

\u201cConsideration for the award<\/strong> is based on an adviser’s
\n \u2022 contributions to the cause of ethical, thorough and articulate scholastic journalism in the adviser’s school and community; and
\n \u2022 support for school journalists in all facets of their efforts to present credible and useful material to their audience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Excerpts from Daniel Sharkovitz’ citation:<\/p>\n

“For the past 25 years, Mr. Sharkovitz has advised an exemplary publication in this region\u2019s scholastic press: The High School View. <\/p>\n

“Back when most members of the scholastic press found it a challenge to come out monthly for a school audience, Mr. Sharkovitz\u2019s students were coming out weekly, and for an audience of the 15,000 print readers of The Martha\u2019s Vineyard Times\u2014in addition now to its online audience. <\/p>\n

“Throughout these years of challenges,<\/strong> Mr. Sharkovitz has stood for students\u2019 First Amendment rights. <\/p>\n

“He has developed a journalism course, advocated a state-of-the-art student news publication office and worked to support the students\u2019 very special relationship with The Martha\u2019s Vineyard Times.<\/p>\n

“Meanwhile, he served as the high school\u2019s English department chair.<\/p>\n

“Mr. Sharkovitz is a graduate of Medway High School where he wrote for the paper, called The Zenger. <\/p>\n

“He went to Northeastern and then served as a volunteer writing instructor at the Middlesex Jail and House of Correction in Billerica. <\/p>\n

“He has a master\u2019s from Middlebury\u2019s Bread Loaf School of English and has taught in programs for Northeastern and Cape Cod Community College. <\/p>\n

“A member of the NESPA\u2019s Advisory Board for the past 12 years, he became a vice president on the Board of Directors in 2013.”<\/p>\n

Emphasizing the privilege of working with Mr. Sharkovitz, one former High School View editor said he learned from him \u201chow to write like a pro, how to think more clearly and how to work at the highest ethical standard.\u201d <\/p>\n

An NESPA board member, Tom Fabian, praised Mr. Sharkovitz\u2019 commitment and professional insight. <\/p>\n

He recalled a time when<\/strong> Mr. Sharkovitz spoke in an annual conference session here \u201cabout the idea that we\u2019re not only teaching journalism, but that we really need to be in the business of teaching our editors how to lead. I found that immensely helpful.”<\/p>\n

“On another note,\u201d Mr. Fabian said, \u201cBob Baram was my teacher at B.U. and being somewhat old school himself\u2014a reporter\u2019s reporter\u2014I think he would appreciate someone as committed as Dan receiving the award.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Freedom to Write Award to Mary Burchenal<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Mary Burchenal, chair of the English department at Brookline High School, received the Freedom to Write Award.<\/p>\n

This award honors school administrators who actively encourage and support students and their advisers in the exercise of responsible scholastic journalism. <\/p>\n

The administrator who wins<\/strong> this award inspires students and faculty to use journalism as a way to participate more fully in a democratic society.<\/p>\n

Ms. Burchenal, a former adviser of Brookline High’s The Sagamore, has a B.A. from Princeton and a master\u2019s from Stanford. She has taught in independent schools and at Brookline since 1989. She has been department chair since 2004.<\/p>\n

According to The Sagamore\u2019s co-adviser, Lindsay Wise, Ms. Burchenal \u201cwas behind the creation of a journalism course linked to the school newspaper. She believed that having class space and instruction would allow more access for young journalists to learn the full scope of their craft.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ms. Wise also said that Ms. Burchenal made it clear that \u201ca good newspaper must be free and independent. She wanted to guarantee that even though it was attached to a course, the newspaper would be free to print what they wanted without administration oversight.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has fought to give<\/strong> the newspaper a dedicated and exclusive room in the school and to get computers and resources as needed. She has helped the journalism program expand, fighting for new sections and pushing for updating adviser stipends. She has offered money for conferences and field trips. <\/p>\n

“In short, she has helped to maximize the experience of student journalists at the high school.”<\/p>\n

And also, from Ms. Wise: <\/p>\n

\u201cAdvisers know that when they go to her for advice, she will steer them towards the rights of the free press. She welcomes investigative articles\u2014even of her own department.<\/p>\n

“She believes advisers should <\/strong>advise and not tell students what to do. She believes that if journalists are going to learn their job, they need to know what it\u2019s like to speak freely and learn the consequences of what they say. She has created the environment where student journalists are able to do just that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Award of Special Merit to Nelson Sigelman<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nelson Sigelman, a former editor of The Martha\u2019s Vineyard Times, is the winner of an Award of Special Recognition. <\/p>\n

This award honors<\/strong> professors and members of the professional press. <\/p>\n

Sigelman began with The Martha\u2019s Vineyard Times as an ad salesman. Then he worked as a columnist, news reporter, news editor, managing editor and then its editor in chief until October, 2016.<\/p>\n

Having graduated from Boston English, he went on to U.Mass Amherst, and then, having spent time in Europe and Japan, where he taught English, he visited Martha\u2019s Vineyard and ultimately settled there.<\/p>\n

According to his former editor, Doug Cabral, Mr. Sigelman \u201casked himself always the crucial question: \u2018What is the readership owed in this story and this week\u2019s edition?\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel Sharkovitz has said that during the 25 years he has advised The High School View, Mr. Sigelman \u201chelped hundreds of our student journalists.”<\/p>\n

“Whether he was mentoring students interning at The Times, responding to questions from our student journalists in the high school or just offering encouraging words of advice, he was always supportive of the highest standards of scholastic journalism.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn addition, he welcomed<\/strong> many student interns into The Times office, where he helped and inspired them to write important stories with clarity and thoughtfulness. <\/p>\n

“Dozens of student journalists with whom he worked went on to write for their college newspapers. Some now write professionally for news organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

All-New England Awards for 2017<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Broadcast<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Class I
    \n\u2022 First place: Plymouth North News<\/em>, Plymouth North High School, Plymouth, Mass., Panther TV<\/em>, Plymouth South High School, Plymouth, Mass., and The Pulse<\/em>, Manchester High School, Manchester, Conn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Magazine<\/strong><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Class I
      \n\u2022 First place: The Register<\/em>, Boston Latin School, Boston, Mass.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Newspapers<\/strong><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Class I
        \n\u2022 First place: The Masuk Free Press<\/em>, Masuk High School, Monroe, Conn.
        \n\u2022 Second place: The Little Green<\/em>, Manchester Central High School, Manchester, N.H.
        \n\u2022 Third place: The Lion\u2019s Roar<\/em>, Newton South High School, Newton Centre, Mass.\n<\/li>\n
      • Class III
        \n\u2022 First place: Tech Talk<\/em>, Cape Cod Vocational Technical High School, Harwich, Mass. and The Independent<\/em>, Manchester Essex Regional, Manchester, Mass.
        \n\u2022 Second place: The High School View<\/em>, Martha\u2019s Vineyard Regional High School, Oak Bluffs, Mass.
        \nThird place: Veritas<\/em>, Nantucket High School, Nantucket, Mass.\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Online<\/strong><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • \nClass I
          \n\u2022 First place: The Ghostwriter<\/em>, Westford Academy, Westford, Mass.\n<\/li>\n
        • \nClass II
          \n\u2022 First place: Wayland Student Press Network<\/em>, Wayland High School, Wayland, Mass.
          \n\u2022 Second place: The Big Red<\/em>, Hudson High School, Hudson, Mass.\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Print\/online<\/strong><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • \nClass I
            \n\u2022 First place:The Algonquin Harbinger<\/em>, Algonquin Regional High School, Northborough, Mass., and The Sagamore<\/em>, Brookline High School, Brookline, Mass.
            \n\u2022 Second place: The Newtonite<\/em>, Newton North High School, Newtonville, Mass.
            \nThird place: The Rebellion<\/em>, Walpole High School, Walpole, Mass.\n<\/li>\n
          • \nClass II
            \n\u2022 First place: The Register<\/em>, Burlington High School, Burlington, Vt.\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Yearbook<\/strong><\/h3>\n