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Eagle Media

Eagle News Takes the Big Easy

Kalhan Rosenblatt
Editor-in-Chief
I have never been so excited to get home
and work on an issue of Eagle News. And I’m
always excited to work on the next issue of
Eagle News. The workshops In New Orleans
taught me more than I can say, but here are
my five epiphanies of the ACP Conference.
1. We don’t have to conform to any
preconceived idea of what a newspaper
should be. In the words of the great
philosopher/poet Miley Cyrus, “It’s our
(newspaper), we can do what we want.”
2. There are tons of stories at this school
and most of the really good ones are yours. If
you don’t come and find us, we’ll be looking
for you.
3. If you volunteer for Society for
Professional Journalists, you might get
turned into a zombie. Caution: Latex is a
pain to get out of your hair.
4. I didn’t realize how much pride the
EN Staff takes in our newspaper until New
Orleans. I watched them get so excited over
innovations we can make to the paper. We
would argue only to be the next to share
what we had learned that morning. It was
truly spectacular, and as editor-in-chief, I
have never been so proud.
5. Watching two 20-somethings have a
lip sync battle to songs of the 90s cannot be
unseen.
Justin Kane
Managing editor
This is my third ACP conference now
and they don’t get old. It’s always a pleasure
spending four or five days with 2,000 other
students and advisers who think like I do.
Who can notice fonts and look at the page and
dissect it down to the core. But each year Eagle
News comes back home empty handed. We won
an award my freshman year and that was it. I
always look at the newspapers there and think
to myself “we can do this. We can do what it
takes to win awards.” And that’s just what I’m
determined to do thanks to NOLA2013.
Get ready for a more graphically pleasing
paper. One that isn’t afraid to push the
boundaries. One that isn’t going to just cheer for
the school. One that is going to report the facts
and make sure there are no more mistakes. The
biggest tool I learned was that it’s much easier
to ask for forgiveness than permission. So get
ready for a better Eagle News. One that each and
every person on this campus can brag about and
be proud to call your student-run newspaper.
Tiara Brown
News editor
Although we all went to New Orleans as a
group, each of us had a very unique personal
experience. I spent a lot of my time on my own,
exploring the city, taking photographs and
interviewing people. I also learned that even
professional journalists are always learning. I
soaked in so much information, journalistic and
visual, and I can’t wait to bring what I’ve learned to the
front page.
To say that my knowledge was expanded solely because
of the courses we took would not be completely true.
Much of what I’ve ever learned as a journalist has been
through experience. Through my time in NOLA, I was able
to compare Eagle News to the newspapers published at
college nationally. I learned that Eagle News definitely puts
out quality work in comparison to many, but we also have
a long way to go before we will be recognized as one of the
great collegiate papers.
I was able to talk to editors of other papers and compare
the issues that I’m facing with theirs, which helped both
parties figure out better ways to handle difficult situation.
I have never been in a more journalistically inspiring
atmosphere as when I was at the convention, and I can feel
my anticipation building as I wait for next year’s trip.
Kelli Krebs
Photo editor
Believe it or not, this trip was more than just a vacation
from work, classes and responsibilities. I actually came
away from this trip with a better understanding of how to
be an all around better asset to this publication. While in
New Orleans, I learned how to be a better photojournalist,
editor, designer and sports
writer. I also learned to trust
all the hype around New
Orleans food (because it’s actually amazing) and to never
follow our E&L editor, Joel, anywhere, ever… because he
will get lost and lead you to a closed cemetery.
The ACP conference in New Orleans not only taught
me a lot and brought me closer with other staffers, but it
also inspired me. I feel like walking away from this trip, I’ve
learned how I can be a better asset to this paper. I want to
contribute to bringing this university the best paper we can
produce. I plan to take away everything I’ve learned from
this trip and apply it to not only bringing Dunk City, FL the
best college newspaper it’s ever seen, but use it in my future
career as a journalist.
Bobbi Gonzalez
Production manager
Without layout and design, articles in newspapers would
be a jumbled mess of words slapped onto pages. The
conference taught me that strong page design is key to a
successful newspaper. Readers won’t pick up a newspaper
unless it grabs their attention aesthetically. I learned that
successful newspaper should include the following design
principles:
• Balance: Whether it’s through photos, text,
colors and placement; there should be a symmetrical or
asymmetrical balance.
• Contrast: Letting type play into photos and
varying slightly in font families while still
staying consistent.
• Emphasis: The focal point being
displayed should dominate the page
without taking away from other stories.
• Space: Whether its positive or
negative space, space should be created
appropriately enough that readers can
easily navigate.
• Repetition: Style can bring repetition to
a page through graphics; not just through
words.
• Movement: Correct placement of words
and graphics can navigate a reader
allowing their eye to move through the
page.
Unity is the main goal to achieve in a
newspaper. Having the elements of a
newspaper coming together through the
design principles will show for a great
layout.
Spending time at the conference also
served as an outstanding inspiration for
me. I was able to view other designs and
layouts of other college newspapers. I’m
excited to apply what I’ve learned to the
fresh ideas I have brewing.
Manuel Navarro
Sports editor
When taking photos with your mobile
phone, always get as close as possible for
the best picture. Your zoom is more than
likely a “fake zoom,” which distorts the
photo.
A great profile story is dependent on a
great video or photo to go along with it. You
want to put a face with the person that you
are reading about.
If you are looking into a career in
broadcasting, start freelancing or interning in
college. If you aren’t doing either, you’re falling
behind the competition.
A daily paper differs from a weekly paper
because sports recaps from the night before
focus on the “who, what, where, when.” The
weekly sports recap focuses on the next game
because people who care will already know
past results.
When quoting someone, don’t be afraid
to add details about the person (such as
hometown, height, major).
Never take a backpack to a sporting event
because they won’t let you in. One of us showed
up to New Orleans Arena for the Miami Heat
and New Orleans Pelicans game and we were
directed to take it back our car. Unfortunately,
we didn’t have a car and walked a couple
miles back to the hotel room. I’m assuming
this is a direct result of the Boston Marathon
bombings.
The main thing I took from the convention
is that in this era you have to be multi-faceted
as a journalist. You can no longer just be a
writer. You have to be writer, blogger and
reporter to be a good journalist.
Joel Morris
E&L editor
While my fellow writers went to many classes to
improve their writing or visual sensibilities, most of my
seminars focused on humanity. Empathy and ethics are
too often considered weaknesses in this world, but it is far
easier to insulate ourselves in a singular viewpoint than
take the time to consider others. There was an ongoing joke
during the trip that I was disappointed in everyone, but
it was only because I know everyone can be better. Even
you, reading this, right now. With any story for which I am
consulted in the future, expect a less adversarial stance
toward individuals, even those worthy of criticism.
I also learned a lot about my teammates at Eagle News.
I was increasingly frustrated with their actions, attitudes
and volume. I felt isolated most of the time, and distanced
at best, even by the persons I considered closest. In spite
of this, I would be anywhere, listen anytime, and do nearly
anything for these people. These friends.
Plus, I found out that even vampires work the front
desk,sometimes.

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