Every school has their own traditions, ideas and ways of organizing. Lots of schools across the world have journalism programs that work similarly to Antioch Community High School’s.

The JEA convention that took place in Chicago, Ill., gave high school journalism students from all over the world an opportunity to meet others who share passions for writing, designing, filming, photography and more.

Cole Schwendenman is a senior at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo. In his opinion, Schwendenman specializes in writing. Not only is writing his specialty, but it is also his favorite part about their program because the people are hard working and want to produce great work.

“One word [to describe the program] would be driven,” Schwendenman said. “I think most everyone likes being there and has a drive to get content, but it’s also a lot of pressure and stress. I really enjoyed the convention. It made me remember why I joined our program. But all that said, our program is definitely not flawless.”

At Mountain Vista there is a website, Twitter and Instagram, which is available for their students to use and follow. At the school there is only one class available called Advanced Composition: News. All their staffers do every part on their own. There are roughly 30 students that work to get content. Sometimes their staffers may do crazy things like call politicians in order to get interviews because they are not afraid to talk to anybody for a story. If they’re curious about something they will go ask questions. Everybody wants to find a way to tell stories to the best of their ability.

Natalie Cramer is a junior at Harborside Academy in Kenosha, Wis. This is her first year and she feels that everyone on staff old or new has a lot to offer to their products.

“[It feels] very homey and family feeling, our whole school is like family, but since our staff is so small it makes it easier to have that feeling,” Cramer said. “My favorite thing so far was getting to go to the JEA convention and learning so many things that are really helping with my inexperience of being new.”

Harborside Academy is a small high school with about 100 students in each grade. They have around 20 staffers, but they still get a lot done and make a nice product at the end of the year. They only have yearbook class which produces the Beacon and a separate newspaper.

Journalism programs all over the country are very different, but it seems that the environment within them is a place where everyone is welcomed. Every school does things differently and that is what makes everyone’s work so unique. At the JEA convention, not only were the students creating new relationships, but they were also building their skills in journalism.

“It’s a lot of pressure and stress sometimes, but overall it’s worth it to be working with great people and on something you care about,” Schwendenman said.