July 15, 2019
60 high school journalists visiting campus
Submitted by Collegian Media Group
Drones, athletes and visual story-telling are some of the themes drawing 60 high school students to campus this week for three days of journalism education.
In its 58 year, the Flint Hills Publications Workshop has seen its attendance continue to grow, with students coming from more than 19 high schools in three states this week. High school journalism teachers represent another section of the workshop, with six traveling to Manhattan for continuing education credit through the workshop.
Students will get real-world experience covering student-athletes, learn how to fly a drone, build their leadership skills and more at the workshop, which is organized by the Collegian Media Group. The keynote speakers this year are Caroline Sweeney, a JMC graduate and KCTV5 reporter in Kansas City, and Kevin McCarty, director of digital media at K-State Athletics.
"The large number of students attending the workshop this year shows there is a real interest in the skills we're teaching, which are more important now than ever," said John Walter, the camp director.
Supporting sponsors this year are the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications, the Kansas Press Association and Papa John's.
Steve Wolgast, the director of Collegian Media Group, noted the large turnout of students. "Journalism these days isn't just the news, journalism is in the news," he said, "and that makes students curious about how news works and what separates it from social media posts and fake news. Our teaching staff will help make that clear."
The workshop started July 14 and runs through July 16. More information is on its website, flinthillsworkshop.com.