In November, journalism teacher Ellen Austin and upper school head Butch Keller, along with senior Alex Youn and junior Michael Sikand, traveled to Indianapolis for the 2016 National High School Journalism Convention. Keller, who in August was named the Journalism Education Association’s administrator of the year, attended the conference to receive the award. Austin was recognized for winning the National Scholastic Press Association’s Pioneer Award.

There was plenty for students to see and do as well. “There was a multitude of advisors, teachers, administrators and professionals at the conference giving presentations and workshops on various topics regarding high school journalism,” said Sikand. “Given my position as social media editor of our online site [www.harkeraquila.com], I took interest in one seminar, where a marketing professional spoke to us on how to give an online news site a distinctive brand.”

In addition to bolstering his existing skill set, Sikand said he also learned new methods for reaching online audiences with various tools and branding techniques.