51ĀŅĀ×

For decades, high school students have been coming to 51ĀŅĀ× to learn the same thing: good journalism.

For two years, Iā€™ve been involved with it. First as a student, and now as what we call a member of the J-Crew: the program responsible for mentoring the high schoolers.

The High School Journalism Workshop, hosted by the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, teaches students the basic skills of media comprehension and story crafting through nine different tracks, which participants choose to tailor their learning. The options center around topics including reporting and writing in news and sports, public relations, design, podcasting and more.

In 2023, I had the honor of being one of the students who got to attend the workshop, learning the skills of news writing through classes and courses that made me feel confident in my ability.

This year, students came to Athens from July 13-17 to learn the same way I did in 2023. As a rising sophomore at 51ĀŅĀ×, Iā€™m back at the camp to guide the students as a J-Crew member.

J-Crew members, or current college students with expertise in journalism, guide the workshop participants around campus to different events such as tours, movies, workshop classes, lectures and a baseball game.

The workshop allows students to attend classes taught by professionals and Scripps faculty in the field, and then attend lectures held by successful 51ĀŅĀ× alumni.

In 2023, I got to hear powerful presentations from people like Dr. Eddith Dashiell, the previous director of the J-School, as well as (BSJ ā€™08), a successful news anchor with a packed career. The people definitely stuck with me, so Iā€™m hoping this year's students remember their favorite lecture from the program, too.

To end the first night, students attend a fun activity to get to know other students and the campus better. As a student in 2023, I watched a movie specifically about journalism. This year, we got to watch Superman, which is arguably a little cooler. 

ā€œI like getting to show off our college... I enjoyed being able to take my kids elsewhere when we had breaks to let them see campus,ā€ said Penny Wendling, a junior J-Crew member majoring in media arts production.

2025 was Wendlingā€™s first year as a student leader. She led the podcasting group alongside the new director of the E. W. Scripps School of Journalism, Professor Hans Meyers.

ā€œHaving the experience of doing [podcasting] at the camp was really helpful, and Iā€™ve learned so much every time Iā€™ve gone,ā€ said Daisie Perez, a senior high school student.

Perez has attended the workshop three times, starting her sophomore year. I initially met Perez in 2023, during both of our first times attending. Perez now looks forward to coming to 51ĀŅĀ× and is just waiting to apply to OHIO as a journalism major. Itā€™s exciting that Iā€™ll not only get to learn alongside her for the summer, but soon weā€™ll be going to the same college.

ā€œI love the college,ā€ Perez said. ā€œI love it all and I know that this is where I want to attend.ā€

Having done the camp both as a student and as a mentor, I feel there is a lot of value to be gained from attending a learning workshop. It teaches such important skills and lays the groundwork for things participating students might have to do in high school before they even get to college.

The program has a way of making every student feel seen, heard, and special, through its methods of small group learning on top of large-scale lectures. I still apply the information I learned at the event to my current journalism work.

Some students come in with no journalism experience at all, while others come in having already written for their high schoolā€™s newspaper. I had at least a little experience writing for my high schoolā€™s yearbook, but the course taught me so much more than that.

ā€œI think it welcomes all levels of experience,ā€ Wendling said. ā€œHans Meyers did a really good job at slowly introducing the different aspects.ā€

The workshop celebrated its 80th anniversary this year, honoring a longstanding history of teaching students the skills to prepare for college early. The program is led by Workshop directors Mark Turner and Bill Clack, Scripps faculty who oversees the experience and ensures a correct, working, and functional experience for everybody.

When I met Turner for the first time in 2023, I remember thinking he was the kind of guy who was the perfect balance of fun and inspiring. His friendly attitude and jokes made me view him in a positive light, and his ability to give great speeches and lessons solidified my respect for him. Getting the opportunity to work for him in 2025 as a student leader was an honor.

Turner does a great job at what he does. The program wouldnā€™t feel the same without him, and I hope it continues to thrive for another 80 years. Kids in 80 years will need to learn the skills of journalism, too.