Why GSPA

The Georgia Scholastic Press Association holds a yearly Journalism Academy during the summer at Grady College at the University of Georgia. With a variety of class choices (which include, but are not limited to, news writing, feature writing, and broadcasting) high school journalism students are able to choose a class which they are interested in. Throughout the week, they learn how to format newspapers  in order to make them more organized, or how to make their writing more clear and organized. Along with writing, students are able to explore Athens and the UGA campus. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication is a wonderful program which makes them an excellent location to hold this camp.

Why you should attend GSPA...

Attending the Georgia Journalism Academy is one of the best decisions I've made. It not only helped me expand my journalism skills, it also gave me a look into college life. Being out on campus, doing interviews and looking for stories, gave us a look into a real journalist's life. If you are even remotely thinking about pursing a career in journalism, you should attend the Academy. It will allow you to see firsthand what you would be doing as a journalist, working towards deadlines independently. Also, you have more freedom at the Academy. You really feel like an adult. My highest recommendation would be to attend GSPA.

A person should come to Grady Glee because you can get an experience unlike any other. It puts you in a real life journalist atmosphere and gives you good experience. Also, it's a great time to make new friends and have a lot of fun.

One Amazing Week

While I was riding into the Athens city limits with my parents on Sunday, my stomach was in knots. I was extremely nervous about attending the Academy. I wasn't sure if I would connect with people, and I was nervous about the classes. I assumed we would be hearing lectures all week on how to improve our writing skills. I was incredibly wrong. It was so easy to connect with everyone, because we all share a passion for journalism. Class wasn't only exciting because we were learning techniques to make our writing better, it was fun and exciting. I have made so many friends this week, and I love the connections we have made. I will truly and honestly miss everyone.

Your turn.

Over the past week I have written articles, interviewed sources, made friends, and helped produce a paper. Now it's your turn. What can you do in a week at the Georgia Journalism Academy? The possibilities for success are limited only by ones' drive to expand their abilities. Any aspect of journalism that might interest you is waiting for the right team of ambitious students to breathe life into it. Features? Editorial? News? The list goes on, and now it's your turn to experience it.

Why Grady Glee?

The Georgia Journalism Academy's summer program for high schoolers, Grady Glee, is a good opportunity for a student who is interested in writing, broadcasting, and digital designing. Grady Glee is filled with skill-enriching classes as well as fun events at night. The program offers a very different work setting compared to a regular high school classroom, which encourages students to branch out and pursue their interests. Grady Glee is the place to be!!!

Journalism camp at UGA is really great. You are put into an environment that makes you feel like a real journalist. The freedom you get is also a plus and you have a lot of fun with everyone else at the camp. The counselors and teachers are chill and they have a lot of knowledge about journalism they will help you grow.

Why I Recommend Grady Glee

Grady Glee is a great balance between meeting and interacting with diverse people, living the life of a college student for a week, and getting a real hands on experience for what it's like to be a journalist. At this camp, you really get an opportunity to see where you will fit in in the world of your future and you discover if journalism is made for you and you for it. You meet lifelong friends, you learn so much about this field and yourself, and make incredible memories. I can't wait for next year!

A completely different outlook

The Georgia Journalism Academy has opened my eyes to the significance of journalism and especially news in general. Journalism has a great impact on people, and news is extremely pertinent when it affects a community or teaches people things that they otherwise would have never known.

Now Ready and Willing

When I, new to the program, inexperienced, and young, arrived at Grady Glee camp, I had no idea what to expect. I was imagining sitting through lectures on journalism this and that with no hands on experience of the journalism field. I never would have anticipated attending press conferences, taking part in thought provoking interviews, or playing a part in a real newspaper staff. I feel like I've been living the life of a journalist for the past week and I'm happier than I've ever been with my choice in potential career. I'm excited for whatever lies ahead of me. I'm ready to tackle any challenges to do what I love. 

Quote of the Day

"Football devlopment goes on through the schools. Basketball is done through AAU and other initiatives." Dr. Boggs UGA Sports Journalism Professor

My Best...

My best quote of the day: "It's kind of rediculous. The only reason it (The Hunger Games) should be removed is because they're (parents) are afraid. THere are important messages that can come from them. Parents underestimate kids' maturity."

My best lead so far: One of the most popular and influential book series of the present, the Hunger Games,  has produced controversy over the levels of violence it contains.

best lead

As one of the most popular movies of contemporary times, The Hunger Games unveils the rising concern of violence that is demonstrated to young adults.

My Best

Reggie Bush, Cam Newton, the University of Miami Hurricanes, and the Fab Five all changed the college game in their own way, but they have something else in common. They have all been involved in alleged pay-for-play schemes.

            NCAA college-athletes are supposed to be students first and amateur athletes second, but after recent billion dollar deals, the NCAA has signed with TV networks many are beginning to question whether these athletes deserve a piece of the pie. 

Best quote

"Pretty much any series that gets young people engaged in reading is a positive thing," said Joe Dennis, Georgia Journalism Academy co-coordinator. "The Hunger Games is no different from the Greek tragedies."

My Best

My best quote of the day: "It's very scary to think of how many times I actually go out alone or when my younger sister is outside playing."

My best lead so far: "Atlanta may only be rated as the seventh most visited city in the United States, yet it comes in first place as the human trafficking hub in the United States, a sad dark truth of what’s actually happening in our back yard."

Best Quote & Lead

Lead: Local elections are often underrated in favor of more publicized national races, but, it is important to remember that many of the decisions made by local government affect us every day.
Quote: "I know Athens!"

My Best

Quote:
"If I just played high school I wouldn't get recruited," said Kara Barber, a competitive soccer player for Fayette Football Club.

Lead:
In today's world playing for your local high school may not be enough, in fact most colleges do not even go to high school games anymore but rather choose to attend the increasingly competitive summer leagues where young athletes today play at.

My Best

Quote of day:

"What they have done is make one step down a slippery slope," said Dr. Suggs a Professor at Grady College.

Lead:
For many high school athletes across the nation an athletic scholarship is their ticket toward an education, the pros, or a better life.  

Favorite Quote + Lead In

Quote: I got this quote from the Dean of Grady in a press conference earlier today. "Technology has turned journalism and mass communication on their heads. It has changed the business model, and everything! We are using new technology to distribute wonderful things. Mass communication is now everywhere and not just focused in Grady. Everyone is moving into the new media environment to connect with the new generation. It is transformative for education."

Lead In: Social connections, sounds, and colors flash from the array of tabs and attempt at snatching your attention from the task at hand. Without knowing it, you have given yourself to the mercy of technology: benefits, distractions, and all that comes along with it.

First 24 Hours at Grady

Excitement, anxiety was all I was felt as I dragged my bags downstairs, Grady Glee was where I was about to be though the weather tried to block my happiness ,but it failed.

Angela Pyle Leads

1) As I walk into Boggs Hall on the first day of the Georgia Journalism Academy, I feel the chaotic excitement of summer camp for the first time.

2) Evenings of culture and tradition intending to celebrate the history of The University of Georgia's international students merely one of the ways the University works towards celebrating the accomplishments made by their foreign exchange students.

First Day

The first day of anything is notoriously nerve wracking, yet it is made somewhat less so by being in an environment surrounded by those with similar interests. The concept of a Journalism Academy is an interesting one due to the fact that writing is typically a solitary activity, and often one gets better by doing. The teaching of writing is often made difficult by differenced is opinions and styles. However, my first day at Grady Glee has assured me that poor instruction will not be a problem.

Lead: !st impressions of journalism academy

Lost. Immediately upon entering Boggs Hall the rush of new faces flashed by so fast that I must admit to not remembering anyone's name, at least not until later that night when I re-asked them for what must have been the third or fourth time. After that it was all smooth sailings. The guys all bonded pretty quickly and we branched out to meet the other group: the females. I must say the transition from strangers to friends happens pretty fast here and everyone smiles a lot. So how were my first 24 hours? In one word, memorable.

Article info lead

Following the intense research of several articles concerning The Hunger Games movie and its success, I have realized just how important it is for parents to check out the trailer before taking just any child to go see it in theatres.

1st day of Journalism Academy

Throughout the course of twenty-four hours at the Journalism Academy, I have encountered experiences that I previously had not been exposed to, such as meeting new people, and expanding my personalty. This is my first camp "experience" at which I did not know anyone before it began. It challenged me to push myself and open up my personality to the world of fellow journalists that are attending the camp.

Although the first few hours of Grady Glee had me anxiously awaiting instruction, the camp has proved to be a challenging experience that has taught me about writing and independence while leaving space for social events.

All Through Love of Journalism

First Lead: Over the course of my first day at Grady Glee camp, I have continued to be amazed at how connections are so easily formed and strengthened through love of journalism amongst a group of diverse individuals meeting for the first time. 


Second Lead: As the popularity of present era technology persists to take over society, our ability to learn suffers, as does our ability to maintain attention. 


I look forward to seeing all that we can accomplish as a group of young innovators and I am very grateful for this amazing opportunity!!


- Lela Johnson

Crazy Schedule for Academy Instructor:

Today is the first day of Academy. How does the day look from an instructor's perspective? Well, I would say, mine doesn't look normal, but what is normal? You see, I am a mom. I am a nursing mom. I have an infant. Add this:  We are in the middle of moving to Florida, so we are staying with friends in order for me to be able to teach this week. I love this camp so much, we delayed our move in order for me to be here!

Schedule:
Wake at 6:15 to baby talk. Baby goes back to sleep.
Check email.
Do some stretches and strength exercises. It is pouring down rain outside, so no run.
Six year old Amelia wakes up and reminds me that she has a feather that she wants to show me and it is in the pocket of Daddy's pants. She starts hunting pants.
Six month old William wakes up. Feeding time.
Put William on the floor to make coffee.
William's diaper explodes all over the floor. Change diaper and clothes.
Amelia locates feather.
Mom locates coffee.
Amelia and daddy look up and identify feather -- a yellow bellied sap sucker.
I leave for early meeting with Joe.
I go back home.
Feeding time for William. William down for a nap.
Back to class.
Ahhh. Class. What a group of students! They know their news!
Health issues, sports concerns, international student news, Hunger Games, Euro Cup, a rise in the use of drugs, the election, summer sports leagues, etc.
Great ideas, great work as a team.
We get our stories organized.
Lunch.
Back home. Feeding time.
Back here for afternoon session.
We practice the interview, we discuss the use of verbs and how to work on a lead.
We get ready to interview.
We practice using the AP Style Guide
We blog.
Back home to feed William.
What a day!!!!
Can't wait for tomorrow!