Saturday, March 23, 2019

CSPA Spring 2019: New Media Classroom


In summary of my presentation at the CSPA's spring conference for 2019, I discussed the incredible benefits of publishing student journalism online. For starters, young journalists can build online portfolios for themselves that can speak volumes of their skills and abilities. Some website programming allows each user to create a biography that features picture, bio, and a links list of all stories published by the student journalist. Imagine the positive impact students can have on college boards and future employers when reviewers can easily access student work published online. Carefully produced portfolios online can significantly help students in future endeavors.

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Book Review: Born to Run

When Bruce Springsteen released "Born in the USA," I remember as a teenager how much I liked that album. Every song struck a different chord, and that's when I knew Springsteen was in fact a musical artist aside from his fame as an entertainment juggernaut. In college, "Born to Run" became a theme song for me, especially with the line: "We're gonna get to that place that we really want to go and we'll walk in the sun..." Springsteen forges deep connections through his songs. For readers, Springsteen's autobiography is nothing short of taking an incredible vacation with a terrific talent.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

2017 CSPA – Your Online Identity Really Matters



 Here's a summary of my discussion at the CSPA 93rd Annual Spring Convention.
 
Students of High School Journalism: Use the Author Bio feature on “newsmag” platforms to strategically build effective online identities. See if the online platform through your school allows you to post your picture with a biography statement on your author page. If you create an author’s bio on your school’s online news site, all your published work will assemble underneath your name and picture.

Why is the Author Bio feature so important to high school students? When college admissions officers and future employers type in your name with your school name, your Author Bio will appear at the top of the Google page. Anyone can review all your published work by simply clicking on your name.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Book Review: Resurrection

ResurrectionResurrection by Leo Tolstoy

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Human rights. Why not protect the dignity of all human beings? Surely, any society needs civility and some respected legality, but why remain knowingly blind to political corruption and social injustice?

Leo Tolstoy’s “Resurrection” unearths the hidden depths of prison life in 19th century Russia. Nekhlydov, a young landowner with military prestige, falls in love with Maslova, a beautiful maid. When classism dooms their budding love, the “animal man” in Nekhlydov stalks Maslova until she reluctantly submits. Both lives are ruined.