CSPA Summer Journalism Workshop

CSPA’s Harmonson named senior editor at OC Register

Todd Harmonson, CSPA vice president and member of the Board of Directors, has been named senior editor of the Orange County Register.

Harmonson, previously the paper’s assistant managing editor and sports editor, will be responsible for “newsgathering across all platforms including websites, mobile, apps, daily and community newspapers, and monthly magazines,’’ according to the Register’s news release.

“Todd is a natural leader and top-notch journalist who has already made major contributions to the Register newsroom,’’ Frank Pine, executive editor of the Register, said in the release. “In his new role, Todd will ensure we maintain a local focus and high standard of quality for readers, and guide us into a future that includes enhancing how we package our print and digital content.’’

A native of Hacienda Heights, Harmonson attended the CSPA Workshop in 1985. For the past 26 years, has served the organization as an instructor and board member, and has volunteered his time on a year-round basis to serve CSPA, which is preparing for its 65th-annual workshop.

Harmonson, a Cal State Fullerton graduate, started his award-winning writing career at the Daily Breeze, then moved to the Register, where since 1998 he has worked as a writer, editor and a member of the newspaper’s management team.

Harmonson will be part of the editorial management team for Southern California News Group, which operates 11 daily newspapers in the region, including the Register and the Los Angeles Daily News.

“I am honored to lead a talented, dedicated team of reporters, editors, photographers and designers who pride themselves in serving our communities,’’ Harmonson said in the release. “I am committed to strengthening the Register’s position as the leading source of local news and information.’’

CSPA will hold its 65th-annual high school journalism workshop on the campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, from July 10-22.

CSPA graduate Kellen Browning named National Journalist of the Year

Kellen Browning of Davis High, a 2015 graduate of the CSPA Journalism Workshop, has been selected as National High School Journalist of the Year by the Journalism Education Association.

Julia Poe, a 2014 CSPA graduate, won the same award last year.

Browning, a senior, is the website editor-in-chief for his school newspaper and also works for the Davis Enterprise newspaper. Browning was one of the top students at last year’s workshop and, in recognition of his all-around work, he was given the Ralph Alexander Award in honor of one of CSPA’s founders.

Browning previously had been selected as California Journalist of the Year, and as part of that contest, Browning submitted a portfolio of his work and displayed a variety of skills.

The JEA, which sponsored the award, said Browning’s portfolio “included breaking news, profiles, features and video on a wide range of topics, from the arrest of a teacher for sexual battery, to a district decision to demolish a multipurpose room used intensively by disabled students, literally leaving them out in the rain.’’

The latter story influenced the local school district to build a new multipurpose room, and Browning’s work earned a JEA Student Impact Award for Browning and colleague Grace Richey.

According to the JEA, one judge, photo teacher and magazine adviser Betsy Snow from Menlo-Atherton High, said Browning showed “mature understanding of the journalistic relationships that go along with doing stories that don’t necessarily please your audience.’’

Browning also received a scholarship from the Sacramento Bee.

The 65th-annual CSPA Workshop will be held on the campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, from July 10-22.

CSPA to honor memory of Stanley Kelton

The California Scholastic Press Association lost a cherished member of its family on April 12 when Stanley Kelton died at age 63 after a brief battle with cancer.

Stan, a lawyer by trade, ceaselessly and selflessly served our organization for 44 years. He volunteered as a popular public-records and libel law instructor at the workshop and also worked countless hours (without compensation) to keep the CSPA’s financial and legal affairs in good order.

On April 21, Stan’s family members and friends gathered in Huntington Beach to celebrate his life. Pictures from the service can be seen below.

In July, the CSPA honored Stan in the most appropriate way, by conducting its 64th-annual high school journalism workshop on the campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. The CSPA started an annual tradition by giving the Stan Kelton Award to a deserving student.

The CSPA is a non-profit organization that operates under a small budget and relies upon the generous support of alumni and friends.

Stan dedicated a major part of his life to help the CSPA survive and thrive. If you’d like to make a donation in his honor, to help support the education of student journalists, please click here.

Thank you for your support.

The CSPA Board of Directors

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CSPA chairman Welborn receives prestigious award

CSPA chairman and president Larry Welborn has been recognized by the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice with their prestigious Award for Journalistic Integrity.

In honoring Welborn — the presentation will be made Dec. 13 in San Francisco — the CACJ described him as ”a giant among men” and ”the beat reporter of a nearly bygone era who got it right and true.” The CACJ noted that its Award for Journalistic Integrity is not given annually, but only to someone highly deserving.

Welborn recently retired after a 43-year career as the legal affairs reporter for the Orange County Register, in which he covered many high-profile cases but showed a high level of enthusiasm and dedication in every story he covered.

The CACJ further noted that Welborn ”brought level, correct, fair reporting where others sensationalized. From his first day to his last, Larry was excited to work in the tiny, windowless courthouse bureau office to report on some new trial.”

Since 1981, Welborn has been the chairman and president of CSPA, which is preparing for its 64th-annual high school journalism workshop on the campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

CSPA welcomes 26 graduates to family

The 63rd-annual California Scholastic Press Association Journalism Workshop ended July 25, when all 26 students participated in the graduation ceremonies at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and celebrated 13 days of work and fun.

Jose Contreras of South Mountain High School in Phoenix, Ariz., received the Ralph Alexander Award while Katherine Chavez of Cleveland High in Reseda received the Millie Alexander Award. The awards, voted on by workshop instructors and counselors, annually honor CSPA’s founders.

Jessica Spitz of Harvard-Westlake High accumulated the most points, as she and her classmates completed approximately 30 workshop assignments. Julia Poe, Trevor Sochocki, Chavez, Michelle Leung and Zach Klamann were also in the top six 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 maintained their own blogs. 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.

Welborn talks `Notorious’

Larry Welborn, CSPA chairman and legal affairs reporter for The Orange County Register, appeared on the KOCE-TV news program “Real Orange” on Aug. 2 to discuss his new e-book, “Notorious OC.”

The Register’s first-ever e-book, ”Notorious OC” chronicles the most notorious criminal happenings in Orange County since its incorporation in 1889.

Welborn has covered the Orange County Courthouse, as a reporter or editor, for 34 years and is widely recognized as the region’s best and most-trusted courts reporter. The “Notorious OC” e-book is available through Amazon.com at this link.

Click below for Welborn’s interview with KOCE-TV.

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