PUC Inspires Students at the 26th Publication Workshop

Pacific Union College welcomed 148 students and sponsors from 18 Adventist academies in the Pacific Union Conference for the annual Publication Workshop, September 6-8, 2016. The workshop offered school newspaper, yearbook, and video yearbook staff targeted, in-depth training to help hone their publication skills.

This year, close to 50 different seminar classes were offered for both students and their sponsors. Students could take classes in specialized tracks for design, photography, writing, video journalism, and editors/leadership, learning how to utilize industry standard software like Adobe Photoshop and Final Cut Pro, while receiving helpful tips and tricks of each profession. Classes ranged from typography to newswriting 101 to yearbook advertising. Sponsor classes were offered as well, such as advising from advisors, to learn the latest team management apps to help their publications run as efficiently as possible. Additionally, sponsors were given access to PUC’s newly remodeled visual arts lounge to network, relax, or just enjoy refreshments.

Classes were taught by college faculty from the departments of visual arts, communication, and English. Industry professionals also presented sessions, including Carol Tilstra Nash, who currently serves as the marketing specialist for the Northern California Conference Office of Education. Several current PUC students led out in instruction as well. A special keynote presentation was given by Julie Z. Lee, vice president for marketing at Maranatha Volunteers International, where she wove the story of “Hamilton,” Lin Manuel Miranda, and her personal experiences as a television producer and inspired students to tell their stories through good design, photography, and writing.

For the second year in a row, there was also an on-site layout competition where student teams were given a topic to complete a two page layout for within a three hour time limit. Competition winners were Monterey Bay Academy for Layout & Design; Lodi Academy for Photography; and Redlands Adventist Academy for Writing. Lunden Spencer and Michael Lowe from Loma Linda Academy as well as Andreas Grellmann from Sacramento Adventist Academy were recognized in a special on-site video competition.

“We had a great group of students and sponsors who learned from the best teachers and are now ready to start off their year inspired,” said Milbert Mariano, who has served as director of Publication Workshop for 12 years. Mariano is also the chair of the department of visual arts.

The closing program for the workshop included awards for academies that submitted their publication for consideration. Winners included Loma Linda Academy for Excellence in Publishing (Newspaper) and Excellence in Writing (Newspaper), editor Victoria Ico, and Excellence in Photography (Newspaper), editor Emily He; Mesa Grande Academy for Excellence in Layout & Design (Yearbook), editors Grace Dryer and Kirsten Soderblom, and Excellence in Video Yearbook/News Program; Pine Hills Adventist Academy for Excellence in Photography (Yearbook), editors Andrew Binder and Georgia Genobaga; Pleasant Hill Adventist Academy for Excellence in Layout & Design (Newspaper); Redlands Adventist Academy for Excellence in Publishing (Yearbook) and Excellence in Writing (Yearbook), editor Rachelle Painter; Sacramento Adventist Academy for Excellence in Cover Design (Yearbook), editor Natalie Zweigle; and Vacaville Adventist School for Excellence in Publishing for Junior Academy/Elementary (Yearbook), editor Rhonda Driver.

Planning is already underway for the 27^th annual Publication Workshop, September 5-7, 2017. Learn more at publicationworkshop.puc.edu.