At Gulf Breeze High School, the media classes—yearbook, newspaper, and iTV—serve as much more than just creative outlets for students; they are vital parts of our school community. These programs offer students special opportunities to develop important skills in communication, teamwork, and critical thinking; while also shaping the way our school shares its stories. These extracurriculars have become integral to both the student experience and our school’s culture. 

Because of this, GBHS is always looking to improve and enhance a student’s experience within the media programs. One of the most important ways this goal is achieved is through active participation in the FSPA. 

FSPA stands for Florida Scholastic Press Association and is an amazing resource for high schools in the state. FSPA is an organization that supports student journalists, particularly those in yearbook, broadcasting, and newspaper. The FSPA offers a variety of programs, including annual contests, workshops, and conferences, where students and advisers can learn new skills, get feedback on their work, and network with their peers from throughout the state. The association allows students to gain recognition for their work and be part of a larger community of student journalists. Colby Coolbaugh, our student representative for the district said,” Getting to see other school’s ideas and designs can help us so much to be able to improve our yearbooks and magazines. It can be so fun to connect with students from across the state and share ideas.” 

 Students from GBHS have been attending these conferences for years. Ken Killam, the GBHS school’s newspaper teacher, commented, “I have been working at GBHS since 2002 and every year we have been going to the conferences and meetings.” 

  The media programs just attended their first association meeting this year, creating an exciting and engaging environments for all the students involved. At every conference there is a featured Keynote speaker who helps to lead the discussions.  

This year’s FSPA meeting at Gulf Breeze High featured a local News anchor as the keynote speaker, Tanner Stewart. Stewart, who has built a successful career in journalism, provided valuable insight into the world of media careers, offering students an inside look at the many opportunities and roles available to them in media. 

In his speech, Stewart reflected on his personal journey through journalism, sharing the challenges that have shaped his career. Telling the students about his difficult start to anchoring, Stewart emphasized the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and a passion for what you do. He spoke about how the landscape of media has evolved in recent years, stressing the significance of staying informed and flexible due to constantly changing platforms and technology for news distribution. 

After his speech, Tanner took part in a Q&A session where students had the chance to ask him about his career, the challenges he’s faced, and what he thinks journalism will look like in the future. It was a very interactive discussion, and students got the chance to ask questions about how to get started in the industry, the skills needed to succeed, and how to stand out as a young journalist.