The University of Memphis department of Journalism and Strategic Media hosted the Tennessee High School Press Association Fall 2025 Workshop on Friday in the UC ballroom, welcoming local high school students to learn more about journalism.
The workshop featured three sessions led by University of Memphis journalism professors and local high school teachers, covering a wide range of topics including photography, broadcast and sports reporting.
About 100 students attended from five different high schools: Bartlett, Germantown, Houston, White Station and the University High School.
Meghnad Bose, a University of Memphis journalism assistant professor who led a session called Fake News + Fact Checking 101, said the event gives high schoolers a chance to see themselves in journalism. “It helps high school students really get a sense of what they want to do in college and for a future," he said.
The Tennessee High School Press Association holds these workshops annually across the state in Memphis, Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville. This marks the fourth straight year the University of Memphis has hosted the Memphis event.
The association invites journalism and yearbook programs from local high schools and partners with the University of Memphis to organize the workshop.
“Journalism gives a good springboard for all disciplines for these students,” said Dr. Jimmy McCollum, director of the Tennessee High School Press Association.
Bartlett High School teachers and yearbook advisors Cheyenne Dyer and Carolina Elston brought their students to the workshop. They also teach a rigorous journalism course that requires students to apply with letters of recommendation and maintain a high GPA.
“I think the students come here and get to see journalism as a part of their academic future," said Elston.
For the University of Memphis, the event also serves as a showcase for its journalism program. The event was organized by Dr. Robert Byrd, associate chair for graduate studies in the University of Memphis Department of Journalism and Strategic Media.
“The goal of this is to train young high school journalists in all areas of expertise, build a community of student journalists, and recruit high-achieving students to the program,” said Byrd.
Luke Lawson can be contacted at llawson6@memphis.edu.
