Back in April I traveled to Seattle for the JEA (Journalism Education Association) journalism conference. The trip was such a treat. Not only was it practically paid for, but I was able to share the experience with my fellow classmates Elizabeth and Addie, and the most fun-loving chaperones you will ever meet. My Yearbook teacher Ms. Pereira, and the Newspaper teacher Ms. Van der Veen.
One of the most dazzling parts of trip came with the flight. We had booked our flight with Virgin Air; you wouldn’t believe what this airline offered for so cheap. Black cozy seats, a touch screen on the back of each seat that you could use to order food, watch movies and TV, play games, and live chat with other passengers. There was even a small remote in the right hand armrest to accompany the gaming and chat features! It was too bad the flight from San Francisco to Seattle was only about an hour and a half.
Later on we settled into our rooms at the Roosevelt Hotel. The hotel was located in such a central part of the city that it was easy to get dinner or go exploring without worrying about cab fare. It was also a great convenience that the convention center was right down the street from the hotel.
Much of our time was spent in and out of various seminars at the convention center. The seminars ranged on topics from journalism techniques, photography, design techniques, yearbook design, and even teaching advice for journalism teachers. I was even able to meet with the art director of Seattle Magazine, Susan Boylan, and learn about the working environment of a graphic artist in the magazine business.
Outside of the flurry of seminars, our group found ways to keep the fun rolling. One day after our seminars, we took an adventure to Pike’s place market and visited some of the most well known tourist spots around that area. These attractions included the Pike’s place fish market, whose workers are famous for tossing fish to one another, the Seattle gum wall, and also the first Starbucks.
Other fun activities included the dances hosted by JEA, which included a student dance at the convention center, and a dance open to students and teachers at the EMP music museum. The EMP dance outshined the student dance by far. Since the EMP is stationed next to the Seattle space needle, we were able to marvel at two of Seattle’s main attractions all at once.
Up until the departure, the whole trip ran smoothly. My chaperones were not the most time conscious, so instead of arriving at the airport with time to spare, we ended up scrambling for a couple of cabs that delivered us to the airport just moments before our plane took off.
Despite the crazy ending, I cherish the entire trip. I feel thankful for all the valuable information I gained from the seminars, and also for the opportunity to attend such an important event. Before this trip, I couldn’t have imagined there was practically an entire community of students who shared the same passion for media journalism as I did. Now I know.
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