By Vivian Bermudez
On Saturday, October 25, 2014, the annual Florida Scholastic Press Association Day (Journalism Day) took place at the Florida International University (FIU). Journalism Day brings students journalists from all over District 6 – Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High, MAST, Columbus High School and our very own MLEC students to name a few – to learn about their jobs.
Journalism Day allows student journalists to get a hand-on journalism experience, learn from professionals and take note of advice from other schools. This experience includes newspaper, yearbook, newsmagazine and literary magazine.
This year’s keynote speaker was Kevin Ozebek, a reporter for WSVN – Channel 7 News. In his speech he talked about the importance of journalism and even though, despite the lack of real workforce, the importance of student journalists.
“Being a journalist gives you a 360 degree view of the world,” Kevin Ozebek said during his speech, “[It’s about] building connections between people make the news and readers.”
Many staffers from MLEC got to meet and discussion issues and take selfies with Kevin Ozebek. He provided them with advice about the journalism workforce, social media and his own experiences.
Journalism Day not only provides workshops for students journalists to improve their writing, layout, pictures and broadcasting but also, pre-submitted and on-the-spot contests for young journalists attending. And The Harbinger/Alpha & Omega staffers didn’t go home empty-handed.
Miami Lakes Educational Center’s very own Nathalie Mariena won 1st place for on-the-spot creative writing while Vivian Bermudez and Amanda Delgado took home 1st place as well for newspaper/newsmagazine page design.
