2023 FHSU Fall Conference

KSPA has a few fun things for advisers and students available at our registration table. We look forward to seeing you! However, we will not be distributing paper programs for this event, both to save paper and to give attendees the most up-to-date schedule of events. This webpage will be your schedule for the day. Come say hi in the lobby outside of the second floor ballroom of the Memorial Union, 600 Park St, Hays, KS 67601

KSPA executive director and University of Kansas lecturer Eric Thomas will welcome students and teachers, announce recent KSPA award winners, plus outline the schedule for the day and the overall school year. Thomas will also encourage students to “Cover Now What They Can Never Cover Again” in his keynote address that provides recent examples from Kansas high school journalism. It’s time to get inspired for a day on campus and your upcoming year on staff!

Before the keynote, students and teachers can enjoy donuts and juice in the ballroom as well.

Eric Thomas, University of Kansas & KSPA

Eric Thomas never got tired of high school . . . or journalism. Since high school, he as been a professional photojournalist, a journalism teacher, the executive director of a state press association, a columnist and a photographer instructor. The University of Kansas allows him to do all of this. Most recently, for the Kansas Reflector website, Thomas earned first place in column writing among the largest publications in Kansas.

Haylee Hedge, KSPA

Jessica Augustine, Hays High School

Jessica Augustine started her career at Kapaun Mt. Carmel, where for six years, she advised the newsmagazine and yearbook and began a videojournalism program. She then taught English and journalism at Rock Creek for 11 years, reviving the newspaper, creating a newscast and improving the yearbook. In 2019, she started teaching at Hays High School, where she advises the newsmagazine, online newspaper and yearbook, along with teaching journalism, photography and web design. She also instructs English, education and leadership courses for Highland Community College, is a JEA, KSPA and NSPA member, has earned her CJE, has judged for KSPA, NSPA and CSPA, and has been a KSPA Board Representative for Area 1 since 2020.

“In the Frame” with Jessica Augustine in the Trails Room

The difference between excellent photographers and beginning photographers often comes down to composition: the willingness to find the perfect angle and distance for each storytelling image. This session will show you how to go beyond “point and shoot” so that your images deliver impactful moments to your audience.

“On the Side: Infographic Design” with Eric Thomas in the Ballroom

Not all readers what an 800-word story to read. Studies show that readers what visuals AND words mixed together. We can call it alternative coverage, side coverage, quick reads or whatever. But these infographics are vital for your publication’s coverage if you are going to remain relevant to readers who expect creative and visual coverage. Come learn what to cover in infographics, how to organize your research and how to pump up your designs.

“Logo Design” with Haylee Hedge in Stouffer Lounge

All designers should know how to design a logo — and all designers should have a personal logo! Come to this session with a design professional to learn how logo design can free your creativity. And walk away with a logo that you can use for your personal branding . . . or maybe a logo that will represent your student publication.

Adviser Hospitality in Smoky Hill

Advisers are invited to visit and share during this Adviser Hospitality time with coffee and pastries provided. We will not have a KSPA board member or staff member to lead the session, because they will be presenting at the time. However, we hope that advisers enjoy the free time together!

“Staff Leadership” with Jessica Augustine in the Trails Room

Right about this time in the school year, student editors are learning how challenging it can be to lead their fellow students in creating a publication. There are so many decisions to make about coverage, ethics, staff management and deadlines. This session will help student editors share ideas and also present the solutions that have worked for successful editors and student leaders in the past.

“We Keep Covering The Same Stuff (In the Same Ways)” with Eric Thomas in the Ballroom

Student publications must cover many of the same events and issues each year. Why? Because homecoming and cheating and football and clubs happen each year. This session will help students discover new ways to focus their reporting on those events and issues. Students will return to school with plans that provide their readers with depth, fresh angles and reliable local sources.

“Typography with Personality” with Haylee Hedge in Stouffer Lounge

The internet provides so many fonts for you to use: thick ones, thin ones, tall ones, squatty ones. And some of them even have these “serif” thingies. It’s an endless list of choices when it comes to fonts. So, how do you choose the fonts that work for your publication? Come to this session to find out. And also learn how fonts work together, how to pair them and how many to use.

“Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!!!” with Jessica Augustine in the Trails Room

Yes, you can earn recognition through KSPA regional and state contests, but there are many other opportunities for you in KSPA! In this session, students and advisers alike will learn about KSPA’s awards programs – some of which include cash prizes – so you can earn recognition for the work that you are already doing, or you can nominate others for their dedication to the field of journalism. Everyone will leave here a winner!

“The Very First Words” with Eric Thomas in the Ballroom

The ultimate writer’s block usually comes when crafting the first words to a story, right? You stare at the screen wondering how to start. This session will find an unlikely solution to that frustrating dilemma. When writers open themselves up to a different structure to their stories, they open up new ways of starting that story. So, if you are tired of writing the same lead to your story, come to this session that will provide new ideas.

“Off the Grid?” with Haylee Hedge in Stouffer Lounge

When doing page design, many student publications resist using a grid? Why? Because they think it constraints their creativity. But here’s the real story: working with a grid lets you flex your creativity while providing readers with consistent and attractive page design. Come learn how grids are the next step for your designers.

Ground Level

• ATM
• Chartwells Catering and Retail Offices
• National Guard
• Starbucks®
• Student Service Center
• The Market
• The Tiger Market
• Victor E. Apparel & Gift Co. 

Union Station:

• Sonos
• Pizza Hut

Meeting Spaces:

   Meadowlark Room
   Chestnut Room
   Sunflower Room 

---

Lower Level

Second Level

Memorial Union Administration and Tiger Card Center Office

Faculty-Staff Lounge

Meeting Spaces:

   Black and Gold Room
   Cavalry Room
   Fort Hays Ballroom
   Pioneer Room
   Prairie Room
   Smoky Hill Room
   Stouffer Lounge
   Trails Room
   Kanza Room