Our alumni: Where are they now?

Since the 1950s, hundreds of CSPA graduates have gone on to great careers in journalism, public relations and other fields that require analytical thinking, strong writing and clear communication.

Here’s what our recent and more veteran alumni have gone on to do.

Our recent graduates

Julia Poe

CSPA class: 2014
School: University of Southern California
Experience: 2015 National High School Journalist of the Year; Daily Trojan sports editor; intern with the Philadelphia Inquirer and USA-Today Wisconsin

“I doubt I would have had half the success I’ve had so far without the mentors and skills I gained from the workshop. I’ve gained a wide set of friends and contacts in the journalism community, particularly in California, that have helped me.

This truly is a family, and those who join are lucky to have a support system for life.”

Kellen Browning

CSPA class: 2015
School: Pomona College
Experience: 2016 National High School Journalist of the Year; intern with Kaiser Health News at the Sacramento Bee and reporter for the Davis Enterprise

“During my two weeks in San Luis Obispo, I learned that journalism is thriving and is more important than ever.

Being surrounded by 25 eager young reporters and professional instructors was electrifying. I’ve never lost the passion for journalism I found at CSPA.

I had so much fun learning how to cover breaking news, delving into public records, podcasting and shooting photos that I’ve returned twice as a counselor. I just can’t stay away. There’s nothing more fun to do with your summer.”

Gwen Wu

CSPA class: 2013
School: University of California Santa Barbara
Experience: Editor-in-chief of The Bottom Line, UCSB’s weekly student newspaper; intern with San Francisco magazine and TakePart.com

“CSPA was the first place I’d ever been where I was surrounded by people who dearly loved journalism.

It was wonderful learning from real reporters who taught you about the intricacies of the trade and who actually had faith that I could survive the industry.”

Meghan Bobrowsky

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CSPA class: 2016
School: Scripps College
Experience: 2017 National High School Journalist of the Year; Video editor of The Student Life at the Claremont Colleges; video editor at Global Student Square

“The breaking news simulations were similar to assignments that working journalists have every day, including the short deadlines, limited information and sudden, unexpected events.

CSPA made me realize that I want to keep telling stories for the rest of my life.”

Tyler Pager

Workshop year: 2011
School: Graduate student at Oxford University, degree from Northwestern University
Experience: Intern with the New York Times, USA Today, Boston Globe and Politico; editor-in-chief of the Daily Northwestern

“CSPA was the first intensive journalism program that I had done, and it provided me with a pathway to achieve my goals.

The workshop is ideal for anyone who knows they want to go into journalism. It sets up a really strong foundation for a future in journalism or any career in which you need strong communication skills.”

Fatima Ali

Workshop year: 2015
School: University of San Francisco
Experience: Beauty Editor at the Tempest, District Office Intern for State Assemblyman Phil Ting

“CSPA helped me understand what it takes to be a journalist, and strengthened my reporting, writing and communication skills.

Each course was taught by an incredible instructor with established experience in the industry.

It was an unforgettable and enriching experience.”

Karan Ology

Workshop year: 2016
School: University of Southern California
Experience: News Editor at the Daily Trojan; intern at the San Mateo Daily Journal

“High school journalism is a poor reflection of what professional reporting looks like. CSPA provides that fast-paced, deadline-heavy experience through classes on every type of reporting and with real-world applications.

But beyond the journalism skills, CSPA provided a community. The counselors and instructors are my role models and mentors who continue to support me. My best and closest friends are people I met at the workshop.”

A few of our alumni in the industry

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Amy Schellenbaum

Workshop year: 2010
Current Position: Online Director for Popular Science
School: University of Connecticut

“CSPA gave me a feel for what it was like to be a working journalist. I experienced harsh deadlines and challenges that took me miles away from my comfort zone. It gave me an adrenaline high for two weeks straight.

I learned about the aspects of journalism beyond storytelling—things I ended up loving. It’s not just about getting the narrative; it’s high-stakes problem solving, quick-thinking, and asking the right questions.

The most incredible thing, though, was hearing from a group of successful journalists who believe (without a hint of reluctance or suspicion) in the value and vitality of the profession. They were so inspiring, so dedicated, and so good at what they do. I wanted to be like them. I still do.”

Eric Coleman

CSPA class: 1980
Current position: News Editor at Bloomberg News
School: Northwestern University

“My path into journalism started with an introduction by my older brother, Paul, to the cub journalism class at our high school. This class was taught by the great teacher and CSPA mentor Gil Chesterton.

Gil taught us both the basics and guided us on the weekly school newspaper. He led us into write-off competitions and awards and, a couple years apart, the CSPA workshop. It was as rigorous and rewarding a program as you could imagine.

I’ve made my career in business and financial news, and I’m still doing what I love today, thanks to my brother and those early years under Gil and the CSPA.”

Paige Cornwell

CSPA class: 2008
Current position: Seattle Times reporter
School: University of Nebraska

“CSPA gave me a real glimpse into the day-to-day life of a journalist, and exposed me to different types of journalism opportunities.

All the news aspects of the workshop, I use every single day. The workshop also gave me lifelong friends.”

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Ariel Wesler

CSPA class: 2003
Current position: News Anchor, The Now San Diego
School: University of Southern California

“CSPA taught me the fundamentals early to succeed in this crazy business.

From writing under pressure to working as a group, it’s a fun boot camp for aspiring journalists.”

Saba Hamedy

Workshop year: 2008
Current Position: Politics reporter for CNN, co-author of “The Point” newsletter
School: Boston University

Going to CSPA was the best decision I made as a high school student. It helped me hone my journalism skills at the age of 17, and also prepared me to be editor-in-chief of my high school paper. The workshop also solidified my passion for journalism. You also learn from the best of the best in the industry. The skills the instructors teach you help position you for college, even if you don’t end up pursuing journalism.

Most importantly: The workshop gave me another family of mentors and lifelong friends. I cherish my memories as a student, a counselor and now an instructor.

Matt Hanlon

CSPA class: 2008
Current position: Cinematographer at Threaded Films
School: University of Oregon

“After my experience at CSPA, I knew I wanted to be a journalist. Those life-changing two weeks made a huge impact on me, and were a big reason that I nabbed an internship the following summer at my local paper, applied to journalism school and ultimately became a video journalist and filmmaker.

The skills I learned at the workshop that are so crucial to good reporting and journalism have also helped me as a documentary filmmaker and visual storyteller. I really can’t stress enough how important CSPA is. It gives you the chance to immerse yourself in journalism and learn from some of the best in the industry.

I’ve made many lifelong friends through CSPA. Some have gone on to great careers in journalism, and many others are succeeding in other industries. Regardless of whether you decide to be a journalist, you’ll develop really useful skills, and make lifelong professional connections and friends.”

Jessie Geoffray

Workshop year: 2010
Current Position: Assistant Editor, Goop.com
School: Northwestern University

“CSPA helped me determine whether I wanted to pursue reporting and editing as part of my college education, and ultimately, as a career.

Being a CSPA alum firmly cements my status as a journalism nerd, which I’m pretty proud of. It’s definitely the best decision I made when I was 16.”

Update: Applications closed for the 67th-annual CSPA Workshop

Update: Applications for the 2018 workshop have now closed. Students interested in the 2019 workshop can apply starting in January 2019. Would you like to be notified when the 2019 application cycle opens? If so, add your name to the mailing list at http://bit.ly/cspa-mail.

The California Scholastic Press Association will hold its 67th-annual high school journalism workshop on the campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, from July 8-20, 2018.

Tuition, which includes 13 days of instruction, all meals, an on-campus dorm room and transportation to all workshop activities, is $1,475. Need-based financial aid is available, and no money is due until acceptance to the workshop. The application deadline is Sunday, April 15 at 11:59 p.m.

The CSPA Workshop is the longest-running and most successful high school journalism workshop in the country. Our graduates have gone on to work for the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register, Forbes, The Associated Press, ESPN, CBS, Fox and other nationally recognized media outlets.

Each summer, 25 students are selected to receive hands-on instruction in the areas of print, broadcast, online and photojournalism, plus classes in ethics, public records and more. They will tour the local newspaper office and television station and enjoy an afternoon at the beach.

Our students work under intense deadlines but also thrive and improve under the direction of our all-volunteer staff of instructors, and they get a taste of college life and make lifelong friends.

The application is now available at https://cspa.formstack.com/forms/cspa_workshop_application.

Want to know more about the workshop? Click here for a rundown of our curriculum and some of our notable classes and instructors.

CSPA welcomes 24 graduates to family

After 13 days of writing, photography, broadcasting and social media, 24 talented journalists completed the 66th-annual CSPA Journalism Workshop on the campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

The program ended July 21 with a graduation ceremony that included CSPA instructors and counselors, Cal Poly staff and, most importantly, our new graduates and their family members.

Graduates completed an intense workshop that focused on the fundamentals of journalism but also went into areas such as podcasting and Twitter. CSPA students completed 35 assignments and they produced a four-page newspaper and their own news broadcast.

Hala Ozgur of Irvine High received the Ralph and Millie Alexander Award, given to a student who displayed all-around excellence at the workshop, both in and out of the classroom.

Valentina Martinez of Flintridge Prep High received the Stan Kelton Award, given to a student who best embodied the spirit of the workshop.

A third, and newly created, award, in honor of longtime CSPA instructor and board member Gil Chesterton, was given to Sophie Haber of Harvard-Westlake High, in recognition of her dedication to excellence in student journalism, including publications.

Alex Wong of Los Altos High finished with the most points in all workshop assignments. Hala Ozgur finished second, followed by Rachel Carlson (Marlborough High), Sophie Haber, Tori Fong (Aragon High) and Abbey Zhu (Newark Academy).

The CSPA wishes all of its new graduates well, and hopes for their continued success in journalism. The last three winners of the JEA High School Journalist of the Year award are CSPA graduates: Julia Poe (2015), Kellen Browning (2016) and Meghan Bobrowsky (2017). Browning and Bobrowsky worked as counselors at this year’s workshop.

Dates and tuition for the 2018 CSPA Workshop are expected to be announced in October.

CSPA mourns passing of instructor Gil Chesterton

A memorial service was held June 24 in honor of Gil Chesterton, the legendary journalism adviser and longtime member of the California Scholastic Press Association, who died May 18.

Chesterton, a dedicated family man, also loved journalism. He worked as an editor for a weekly newspaper in Bell Gardens and advised the newspaper at Whittier High, but made his name during a 33-year run at Beverly Hills High.

Not only did Chesterton oversee the school’s weekly, award-winning newspaper, but he also guided students’ work on the yearbook and on a weekly newscast.

Last year, the Journalism Education Association chose Chesterton as one of 10 recipients of its Lifetime Achievement Award. The JEA award is given to longtime advisers “for lifetime dedication to journalism education,” and that certainly described Chesterton.

During his youth, Chesterton participated in Ralph Alexander’s Scholastic Sports Association program, then remained active when the SSA transitioned into the California Scholastic Press Association.

Every summer, Chesterton volunteered his time, and formally became one of CSPA’s primary leaders after Alexander’s death in 1981. As part of his work, Chesterton advised workshop students as they produced the CSPA Reporter newspaper, which chronicled each workshop, and also taught page design and critiqued student publications.

Chesterton, elected to the CSPA Hall of Fame in 2008, chose to retire from teaching at the workshop in 2014 but remained a valued member of CSPA’s board of directions.

Chesterton’s family, including his wife, Nancy, and their daughter, Carey, have requested that donations in Gil’s name should be made to CSPA, which will use the money to assist future workshop students. Donations can be made at http://www.cspaworkshop.org.

Update: Applications closed for the 66th-annual CSPA Workshop

Update: Applications for the 2017 workshop have now closed. Students interested in the 2018 workshop can apply starting in January 2018.

The California Scholastic Press Association will hold its 66th-annual high school journalism workshop on the campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, from July 9-21, 2017.

Each summer, 25 students are selected to receive hands-on instruction in the areas of print, broadcast, online and photo journalism, plus classes in ethics, public records and more. They will tour the local newspaper office and television station and enjoy an afternoon at the beach.

Our students work under intense deadlines but also thrive and improve under the direction of our all-volunteer staff of instructors, and they get a taste of college life and make lifelong friends.

The application is now available at http://cspa.formstack.com/forms/cspa_workshop_application

Want to know more about the workshop? Click here for a rundown of our curriculum and some of our notable classes and instructors.

26 students graduate from 65th CSPA Workshop

The 65th-annual California Scholastic Press Association Journalism Workshop ended July 22, when all 26 students participated in the graduation ceremonies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and celebrated 13 days of work and fun.

Karan Nevatia of Aragon High School in San Mateo, Calif., received the Ralph Alexander Award while Daisy Bolin of Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kan., received the Millie Alexander Award and Whitney Wachtel of Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, Calif., received the Stan Kelton Award. The awards, voted on by workshop instructors and counselors, annually honor top all-around students.

Olivia Olander of San Dieguito High School accumulated the most points, as she and her classmates completed approximately 35 workshop assignments. Julia Qiao, Karan Nevatia, Meghan Bobrowsky and Whitney Wachtel also were in the top five in total points.

During the workshop, students took classes in news writing, editorial writing, sportswriting, reviews, column writing and other aspects of print journalism. They learned about public relations and how to access public records. They shot photos, produced a four-page newspaper, taped a television broadcast and did extensive social-media reporting. They took trips to the local television station and newspaper office and enjoyed an afternoon at the beach.

Most importantly, the students learned skills that will benefit them for decades to come, and made lifelong friends.