"On The Bright Side" FSPA
organization:
florida scholastic press association
category:
Leadership
role:
district representative
Year:
2024-
2025
Overview
Elected as District 5 State Representative, I served as one of seven students on the FSPA Executive Board, representing 300+ journalism programs across Florida. I helped develop the theme and structure of a four-day, 1,500-attendee statewide convention and led roundtables to encourage active participation.
Reporting and Writing
I drafted theme messaging and planning materials that guided statewide programs through convention preparation and engagement.
Editing, Leadership
and Team Building
I collaborated with other student board members to represent hundreds of programs, lead discussions, and make decisions affecting journalism students across Florida.
design
I contributed to shaping the convention theme and visual direction to ensure cohesive branding across sessions and materials.
broadcast journalism
I helped record, edit, and create short-form broadcast materials for the convention.
photojournalism
I documented convention sessions and student engagement, capturing moments that reflected the scale and energy of the event.
web and social media
I supported statewide communication efforts by amplifying convention messaging and encouraging digital engagement before and during the event.
Law, Ethics and News
Literacy
Serving on the executive board required upholding scholastic press standards and promoting responsible journalism practices statewide.
Marketing and
Audience Engagement
I helped design programming that increased student participation throughout the four-day convention including the new "color wars" that brought districts together through journalistic and spirited competitions.
Commitment to
Diversity
I represented programs of varying sizes and demographics, ensuring statewide perspectives were reflected in board decisions.
personal growth
Representing hundreds of programs meant listening more than speaking and considering perspectives far beyond my own school. It taught me that decisions at this scale carry weight, and that thoughtful leadership is required to shape these opportunities for others.
calista ream
pine view, class of 2026
