Journalism students traveled to Indianapolis, Ind., to compete at the Journalism Education Association/ National Scholastic Press Association national journalism convention Nov. 9-13. This convention allowed the students to socialize with others who have the same interests and improve their skills.

     “The point was to go and compete, and the rest of the time we went siteseeing and enjoyed our time there. We wanted to make it more of a trip instead of just a contest. We didn’t want it to just be work, work, work. We wanted to enjoy ourselves too,” said junior and Legacy yearbook editor-in-chief Caroline Bonacorso.

     On the eight-hour trip to Indianapolis they stopped in St. Louis and visited the Gateway Arch and went to the top to see the city from a different angle.

     The first full day in Indianapolis, the group visited the Indianapolis Zoo and watched a dolphin show before they listened to the convention’s keynote speaker, Kevin Rader, who writes about everyone’s hidden stories.

     “We have been mimicking his style of journalism for years, and it was really cool seeing him in person and hearing what he had to say about what he does in person,” said junior and Talon Magazine editor-in-chief Emilie Kerr.

     The group spent their second full day going to classes and learning more about how to make their publications better, while also competing. After that, they went to a dance party. Their trip continued into Saturday while they went to more classes, and became even closer with their fellow journalists from their school in at Escape Room Indianapolis. They didn’t make it out.

     “We never stopped laughing. It was a great bonding experience and one that I definitely won’t forget,” said Kerr.

     Out of 22 who competed, 10 journalists walked away with a national award. Six earned an honorable mention, third place; three earned an excellent, second place; and one person, sophomore Haley Anne Mahusay earned a superior, first place, for her infographic she submitted.

     “It was a new experience because it is my first year, and I’m glad I got superior because I thought I wouldn’t get it,” said Mahusay.