Friday, August 15, 2008

Where Did Summer Go?

It’s that time of year when teachers ask, “Where did the summer go?”

Along with the fact that summer breaks are shorter than they were just a few years ago, many journalism teachers use the “break” for additional professional experiences ranging from taking classes to teaching them, so the summer disappears in a whirlwind of activity.

Three Hoosier advisers participated as IHSPA summer interns. Since the program was initiated in 1992, 90 advisers have completed internships that provide a four-week paid professional experience. In addition to the traditional newspaper internship that Lori Volheim, Elkhart Memorial , completed at the South Bend Tribune, two of the advisers expanded the program to new areas. Meredith Bledsoe, adviser at Hamilton Southeastern, completed a photography internship at the Indianapolis Star, and Chad Tuley, adviser at Scecina High School, worked at WRTV Channel 6 in Indianapolis to add broadcasting to the opportunity.

We appreciate the Hoosier State Press Association’s continued support for the print and photography internships, and the Franklin College Pulliam School of Journalism for a commitment to the new broadcast internship.

Be sure to check the internship stories, audio clips and slide shows on the IHSPA Web site (http://ihspa.franklincollege.edu), and let us know if you’re interested in participating in the internship program next year.

I hope you have made preliminary plans for your staffs to attend the IHSPA convention at Franklin College October 16, 17. We have just completed program details, so a brochure about this year’s event called the “Convergention” will be sent at the end of next week. Information and forms are also available on the IHSPA Web site.

Dennis Cripe and I will post important information on the Web site frequently throughout the school year. Make sure that you let us know if your e-mail addresses change.

Good luck with the beginning of the year and communicate your successes and challenges.