{"id":318,"date":"2023-10-05T16:20:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-05T16:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aspa.ua.edu\/?page_id=318"},"modified":"2026-02-02T18:58:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T18:58:04","slug":"aspa-news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/aspa.ua.edu\/?page_id=318","title":{"rendered":"NEWS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to our News page! Make sure to check back monthly for important updates on events and other programming!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As always, if you have any comments or questions, don’t hesitate to email aspa@ua.edu<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

FEBRUARY 2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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We’re busy getting ready for State Convention on Friday. Feb. 20, <\/strong>but in the meantime, we have some important reminders and contests for your students!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Convention Reminders<\/strong>:<\/span>
Registration<\/strong> opens at 8:00 a.m. on the third floor of the UA Student Center! Our keynote begins at 9:00 a.m. Please make sure you arrive in time to avoid any disruptions!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parking information for cars and busses<\/strong> will be sent to teachers via email Monday, February 16. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch for teachers\/advisers\/chaperones is provided, but students will need to bring money for their own lunches at or around the Student Center<\/a>. <\/strong>
UA IS A CASH-FREE CAMPUS, which means they need to have digital payments available!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On-Site Participants<\/strong> are reminded to bring ALL necessary equipment for your category! Broadcast raw files will be sent to teachers\/advisers Wednesday, Feb. 18 to load on to student computers. All other materials and instructions will be provided day off.
To access UA Guest Wi-Fi<\/strong>, please visit this link<\/a>. If your school district locks down internet or browser settings, you may want to have a hotspot to connect to as back-up. We will have one computer lab reserved in Reese Phifer Hall (max 20 students).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All information will be sent to registered teacher\/adviser emails before convention!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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MJW 2026 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Multimedia Journalism Workshop, sponsored by ASPA, is now accepting applicants for the 2026 cohort. Spend a week on campus at The University of Alabama learning all about interviewing, writing, reporting, editing and producing multimedia content! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To apply, check out our website, mjw.ua.edu<\/a><\/strong> for full details! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students must be upcoming 9th graders-12th graders. Seniors who have just graduated, but have not begun college courses (excluding early college or dual-enrollment) are also invited to apply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Applications close April 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CDT!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

CONTESTS, CONTESTS, EVERYWHERE! AND VERY STRICT DEADLINES!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hosted by the Freedom Forum<\/a>, the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference provides 51 students (one high school junior from each state plus the District of Columbia) with an all-expenses-paid program that includes panel conversations with journalists and multimedia storytellers, newsroom visits, networking events, a chance to meet students and industry leaders who share a passion for news, and a unique Washington, D.C., experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants also receive a $1,000 college scholarship and ongoing support from a community of more than 1,700 alumni. Students build their skills, grow their network and get a head start on their future. Whether you\u2019re interested in print and broadcast journalism, multimedia storytelling or podcasts, this program is for you! The deadline to apply is March 15.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Federation of Press Women<\/a> is also hosting its annual Communications Contest for high school journalists! Winners at the state level go to national competition, and one senior will receive a college scholarship. Full details, including categories and how to apply can be found on their website<\/a>. The deadline to apply is February 18.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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JANUARY 2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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State Convention Reminders:<\/strong>
The best event of the year is a little more than a month away! If you haven\u2019t already, mark your calendars to join ASPA and high school students from around the state of Alabama for a day of media lessons, hands-on competitions, and awards!<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When: February 20, 2026<\/strong>
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., keynote begins at 9:00 a.m.<\/strong>
Where: The University of Alabama Student Center<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are planning on submitting student work (and you should!), please make sure to read all of the submission guidelines<\/a> before <\/strong>filling out your registration form<\/a>. This includes overall submissions and on-site participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pricing is below:<\/strong><\/span>
$10 per individual entry <\/strong>(this includes individual entries that may have been completed by a staff)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

$75 per overall submission<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$10 per individual on-site competitor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$20 per team on-site competitor<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, if you are not current on your dues, please make sure to include this in your registration! Dues are $25 and run for a full calendar year. If you are not sure if you\u2019re current, please email aspa@ua.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

News Resources for Your Classrooms!<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Still braindead after the holidays and struggling to come up with solid lessons for your media classes? (Same).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out PBS Classroom\u2019s Daily News Lessons<\/a> for fun and interactive ways to teach students about the world of media!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WINTER 2025<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ASPA’s<\/strong> State Convention is Coming Up!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s almost time to turn up the stage lights for ASPA\u2019s Annual State Convention, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026!<\/strong> This year\u2019s theme is, \u201cLights, Camera, ASPA\u201d where we will highlight our high school media students\u2019 year of successes in their classrooms and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Registration (individual, overalls and on-sites) will open Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, and close Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior and Adviser awards are due Friday, Jan. 30, 2026<\/strong> via email (aspa@ua.edu<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please make sure to read ALL of the entry instructions and requirements<\/a> BEFORE submitting or asking a question.

Also, make sure your entries adhere to our entry guidelines and formatting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ASPA Holiday Hours (because our director needs a break, too!):
<\/span>CLOSED: <\/strong>Nov. 24 \u2013 Nov. 28, 2025 for Thanksgiving
CLOSED: <\/strong>Dec. 12, 2025 \u2013 Jan. 6, 2026 for Winter Break<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our director will be checking email periodically during this time, but if you don\u2019t receive an immediate response, please be patient! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Care About the Environment?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Youth Environmental Press Team<\/a> is looking for talented high school journalists to share their stories on the environment and climate! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students can earn a paycheck and<\/em> have a piece for their portfolios by writing an original story or re-publishing a story already in your school\u2019s publications. Specific information regarding pay and submission details are included in the flyer! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All high school media students from the United States are encouraged to apply or reach out!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Test Your Knowledge!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Media literacy in the United States (and elsewhere tbh) is at an all-time low. Don\u2019t be a part of that statistic! Test your knowledge with Edutopia’s interactive media literacy test and see what you can improve on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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