The Hall School of Journalism and Communication held its annual J-Day event on Wednesday, where over 200 high school students from Alabama and Florida flocked to campus.

Groups of students listened into presentations from Troy University faculty, staff, students and alumni over the course of the morning. The event was funded by a grant from the Alabama Press Association. 

“J-Day was really successful,” said Dr. Stefanie East, a co-chair for J-Day and assistant professor in the Hall School. “We had a really great group of students that were really engaged and ready to learn. They were ready to see what Troy University and specifically the Hall School of Journalism and Communication has to offer.”

Each group listened to three different presentations – out of 10 options – depending on their areas of interest. Workshops included broadcasting, design, interviewing, sports writing and many more sessions on journalism-related topics.

“We wanted to get students excited about journalism,” East said. “We were very lucky to have some of our alumni come back, as well as the president of the Alabama Broadcasters Association, to give workshops about being ethical communicators.”

J-Day was smaller this year than previous years, allowing the workshops to be more hands-on.

“We strategically made the sessions a little more concise and smaller so students got more experience,” East said. “The students were able to do more hands-on things that they haven’t been able to do in the past.”

Student ambassadors from the HSJC helped the high schoolers get around campus and answered questions about the University and program.

“Representing the university, and more importantly the Hall School of Journalism and Communication, was so refreshing,” said Kathryn Clark, a student ambassador and the news editor of the Tropolitan. “Being able to help at J-Day made me remember my first journalism event and coming in as a freshman with no experience at all. I’m glad these students will have a head start in the journalism community.”

The importance of ethical journalism was emphasized throughout the day. Sharon Tinsley, the president of the Alabama Broadcasters Association, presented on fair and balanced journalism.

“Journalism is part of the bedrock of our society,” Tinsley said. “We need journalism at every step of the way to make sure people know the facts.”