Contest gives students a sporting chance

Three teams, one assignment: Create a two-page sports spread in about seven hours.

Not just any sport. Not just any local wannabe. Not just another journalism pretend exercise. Try Olympic heavy-weight boxing hopeful Deontay Wilder’s trainer. And his mom. And University of Alabama women’s track and field head coach Sandy Fowler. And UA freshman swimmer Kate Shannon Gray.

A real press conference.

That’s what the Alabama Scholastic Press Association gave the more than two dozen high school journalists gathered at UA in Tuscaloosa July 18-20 for ASPA’s summer camp.

“Now you’ve got 20 minutes to come up with a 30-word summary of what you’re going to do for your spread,” Beth Fitts told the students after the press conference. Fitts, director of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association, had introduced the students to the Maestro Method of newspaper planning. Developed by Buck Ryan, University of Kentucky, the Maestro concept involves news teams creating themed pages.

Camp faculty split the students into three teams. Each team had a photographer, two reporters, designers and alternative copy writers. After the 1 p.m. press conference, the teams met briefly to come up with their 30-word theme.

Then one reporter from each team met with Deborah Wilder, Deontay’s mom. The photographers and the other reporter from each team went to Skyy Boxing, Deontay’s home gym, to learn how Deontay turned from rookie to Olympic contender in less than three years. Meanwhile, designers started laying out pages. Copywriters created infographics and pulled quotes from the press conference.

When the reporters and photogs returned, the race began. Everything had to be written, edited, proofed and placed by 9 p.m. And, oh yes, there was an off-campus dinner break in between.

Earlier in the weekend, students and advisers – including some from Tennessee – had attended workshops on everything from using Adobe PhotoShop to understanding media law and creating ads. Students practiced these new skills on their pages.

“There are mighty needs and mighty resources,” Marie Parsons said, speaking of high school publishing. Since 1983, Parsons, interim director of ASPA, has matched the needs of high school journalism programs with resources as prominent as then Gov. George Wallace, Jr., and Bryant Gumbel.  in May 2007. In mid-August, Meredith Cummings, currently editor of the Tuscaloosa News’ teen Pulse page, will become ASPA director.

— Anne W. Anderson