Apple Awards in NYC

The 2024 College Media Association Convention, held from March 13 to 16 in New York City, brought together schools from across the nation for a dynamic event focused on journalism, leadership, and professional development. Attendees participated in workshops covering a wide range of topics, including journalism practices, leadership skills, and managing different personalities in the media industry.
One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity for students to visit the offices of prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal. This firsthand look at the inner workings of a major media outlet provided nearly 30 students with insights into the world of journalism and the role of the media in today’s society.
Attendees also had a chance to hear and ask questions to Bo Mani, a renowned sports journalist known for his upfront speech and blunt commentary. When asked about the value of remaining true to your beliefs in journalism, Mani has this to say: “If you are not willing to stand behind the things that you say or the things that you write, then you shouldn’t say them and you shouldn’t write them.” Mani’s speech resonated with attendees as they applauded him after the final round of questions, inspiring them to pursue excellence in their own journalistic endeavors and to strive for authenticity and integrity in their work.
In addition to the educational aspects of the conference, attendees also had the opportunity to explore the rich culture and history of New York City. From visiting iconic landmarks like Times Square and Central Park to experiencing the vibrant arts and entertainment scene, students were able to immerse themselves in all that the city has to offer with Nolan Abitabilo, the Features Editor of the Hawks Herald at Roger Williams University stating, “My favorite part is stepping directly out into Times Square. It’s always nice to be in the heart of one of the greatest cities in the country… (the conference) is a great opportunity to form new connections while getting out of your element.”
The Digest caught up with another fellow conference attendee, Grey Curcio, the News Editor for Triton Publications at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, to get their perspective on the event: “The sessions were great this year. My favorite one was probably Editor-in-Grief because I could relate a lot to the experiences Micheal went over… I’m excited to bring it back to our office.” Many like Curcio expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn from industry professionals and to network with other student journalists from around the country, highlighting the valuable skills they gained from the workshops, which they believe will benefit them in their future careers in journalism.
At the end of the conference was the Apple Awards ceremony which aimed to highlight standout media within the college landscape. Southern University walked away with 4 respective achievements with a notable first place in Best Podcast for JagTalk Podcast. The College Media Association plans to hold its next conference in the Fall of 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana.