Dakota Ridge broadcast, journalism and yearbook students attended the annual J-Day conference at CSU last week, joining with other media students from across the state.  Attendance totaled 1,471 from 69 Colorado schools.  

Each year, on the Fort Collins campus, the Colorado Student Media Association (CSMA) gathers presenters from various news organizations to provide workshops on current trends and journalistic practices.  Students learn about everything from the dangers of fake news to the art of interviewing and importance of storytelling.

CSMA Executive Director Jack Kennedy is one of the organizers of this event. “J-Day is a great tradition held in a great place. The learning sessions are the heart of the conference, and I was impressed by the quality of the sessions and the range of topics,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy says he knows it gets harder and harder for schools to go to events such as these, but media advisers from participating schools, like Dakota Ridge, make it a point to bring their students each year.  “Advisers find a way” could be a great motto, Kennedy said. 

Although this was Kennedy’s last J-Day as executive director, and a little bittersweet for him, he says he’s certain that the event will carry on and reach new heights.