Many people who work at HSJI today, once attended the camp back when they were in high school. Although the camps then and now had differences, there are also many similarities between them. Some HSJI faculty were asked to reminisce on their experiences as a student attendee and what it’s like to be a staff member now.

Watch the staff members talk about there experiences here.

Students write down lists of story ideas over various topics given.

Students scribble down a list of stories.

High School Journalism Institute (HSJI) instructor and Floyd Central journalism advisor Jim Lang taught a class during the first session of HSJI regarding story ideas. Lang said to the class his goal by the end of the session was that the students would not only have methods to come up with unique and different story ideas, but also that they would go home with a few of their own.

Some ideas that Lang shared included hallway or event walks, asking about other’s interests, and keeping a list of possible stories. Lang said it’s also very important to find the significance and emotion behind the news.

“Put a face on it,” Lang said. “If you can’t put a face on a story I don’t care. …
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Betty Chen, a junior from Diamond Bar High School, is attending HJSI this week. She recently moved from Corona del Mar High School to where she is now.

Moving to a new school can be scary, confusing and maybe a little bit overwhelming. Betty Chen has experienced first hand what this can feel like.

Last year was Chen’s first year at Diamond Bar High School. She previously attended Corona del Mar High School. The schools, both located in southern California, are about an hour away from each other. The switch in schools stemmed from her mom’s desire for Chen to be in a school with less Asians. The high school she attends now is mainly Caucasian, Chen said.

According to Chen, getting acclimated to a new school is hard because she had to make all new friends with people she didn’t know. …
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