Leila Freimanis, junior social media editor and staff writer for The WP Wire, won the “Best Writer” award at Virginia Association Journalism Teachers & Advisers (jCamp) at JMU this past July. Freimanis, in her third year of journalism and second year as social media editor, attended with three other WP Wire editors, and won the award based on her article, Cat’s Cradle Offers a Compassionate Community for Cats.
jCamp has been hosted by JMU for the past nine years. It is an opportunity for students who are in or considering joining yearbook, journalism, or photography programs at their school. Within the camp, there are breakout sessions designed to focus on specific skill sets as well as staff leadership qualities.
Freimanis went to this camp because she was interested in improving her journalistic skills as well as gaining leadership advice she can incorporate with her staff writers.
“I learned more advanced techniques I can use in my writing and interviewing, and along with that, I learned how to work better with my staff,” Freimanis said.
Another beneficial part of this program was being able to experience a part of college life, like walking on a campus, taking classes, and dining in the dining hall. Camps like these are helpful for students as senior year approaches, and students have to start thinking about colleges, or don’t know what to expect in college.
“I really liked being able to experience college life, and I feel more ready to enter that chapter,” Freimanis said.
The award of “Best Writer” was determined by the camp directors, journalism professors at various colleges. The assignment was to write a feature on a local business in Harrisonburg, VA.
Freimanis’ article about “Cat’s Cradle,” which is a foster center and a sanctuary where they rescue cats, focused on their main goal which is to get them spayed and neutered to help population control over stray cats. There aren’t enough homes to support them.
“I think that my interview went really well because I asked a lot of good questions, and I did a lot of research prior to the interview on the business,” Freimanis said.
