When over 1,500 student journalists and advisers crammed Lory Student Union on Oct. 14, you know there was excitement in the air. From over 40 learning sessions to four simultaneous Sweepstakes awards ceremonies, there was something for everyone.

And “everyone” ended up producing an attendance of 1,528, breaking the 2008 record by nearly 100.

The standing room only opening session featured our new state Administrator of the Year, Brad Joens, and new Journalism Teacher of the Year, Mary Lauck, both from Platte Valley High School. Mary retired last spring after spending 40 years at the school. After Jack Kennedy led the opening session crowd in a gospel-choir style a cappella version of The First Amendment, JEA National Yearbook Adviser of the Year Lori Oglesbee encouraged everyone to seek great stories about people. And then everyone headed out into the first of three learning sessions.

Rocky Mountain Student Media faculty and staff conducted a record number of tour-goers, CSU provided 1,500 free book bags, and a dozen exhibitors distributed pens, t-shirts, flyers, magnets and more candy than a healthy person should consume.

Speaking of t-shirts, over 260 conference t-shirts were sold (and you can still purchase one for yourself!), with one dollar from each shirt’s cost going to the Student Press Law Center.