ABOUT J-DAY 2026
J-Day is our annual all-day conference for high school newspaper, yearbook and broadcasting students in Maryland and the District of Columbia, plus their publication advisers.
This year's registration deadline is March 6, 2026.
The conference offers practical sessions run by professional journalists and journalism professors on more than two dozen subjects, including :
J-Day is our annual all-day conference for high school newspaper, yearbook and broadcasting students in Maryland and the District of Columbia, plus their publication advisers.
This year's registration deadline is March 6, 2026.
The conference offers practical sessions run by professional journalists and journalism professors on more than two dozen subjects, including :
- Appropriate uses of AI in journalism
- Visual story telling through videography
- Sports photography
- Differences in writing news versus features
- Mobile journalism
- Yearbook design
- Rights of the student press
- ... and many more!
- New for 2026: J-Day will not include an opening ceremony and keynote speaker as in years past. Instead, students will start the day immediately with Session 1 seminars at 9:30 a.m.
Questions? Email MDCSPA board chair Jay Goldman at [email protected].
Location
University of Maryland, College Park
Date & Time
March 27, 2026
8:45 am - 2:30 pm
8:45 am - 2:30 pm
Speakers & Presenters
MDSCPA is excited to showcase the lineup of impressive speakers from the professional journalism ranks appearing at J-Day 2026!
Justin Rhodes
PBS NEWS
Student Reporting Lab
Youth media producer
Youth media producer
Brian Cleveland
THE WASHINGTON POST
Head of Print Desk
Tara Boyle
HIDDEN BRAIN
Executive producer of the Hidden Brain podcast and radio show
Talia Richman
THE BANNER
Reporter covering schools in Montgomery County
Dedicated to helping your students reach their scholastic journalism goals
Schedule of Events
Please note, this schedule is tentative and subject to change by event organizers
8:45 am-
9:30 am
9:30 am
Registration Desk Opens
Conference check-in at lobby of Knight Hall (College of Journalism)
Participants may park in Stadium Drive garage or Union Lane garage
Participants may park in Stadium Drive garage or Union Lane garage
9:30 am - 10:30 am
Session 1
Choice of 10-12 topical sessions plus guided tours of Merrill College of Journalism and the broadcast news facility
10:40 am - 11:30 am
Session 2
Choice of 10-12 topical sessions plus guided tours of Merrill College of Journalism and the broadcast news facility
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Break for Lunch
Advisers and presenters are invited to meet for networking luncheon at Knight Hall.
Students and others may buy lunch in the food court of the Stamp Studennt Union.
Students and others may buy lunch in the food court of the Stamp Studennt Union.
12:40 pm - 1:30 pm
Session 3
Choice of 10-12 topical sessions plus guided tours of Merrill College of Journalism and the broadcast news facility
1:40 pm - 2:30 pm
Session 4
Choice of 8 topical sessions.
Conference Location
University of Maryland, College Park
J-Day is headquartered in Knight Hall, home to the Philip Merrill College of Journalism, while additional seminars will be hosted inside other nearby campus facilities.
Special Thanks
J-Day is hosted annually by the Maryland-D.C. Scholastic Press Association with support from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland.
News & Updates
J-Day Registration now open!
DECEMBER 13, 2025
The Maryland-DC Scholastic Press Association is proud to present J-Day 2026! Registration is now open for advisers and students.
In 2025, the MDCSPA and J-Day hosted more than 500 students and their advisers from schools across Maryland and the District. We hope to see you and your students this coming spring!
In 2025, the MDCSPA and J-Day hosted more than 500 students and their advisers from schools across Maryland and the District. We hope to see you and your students this coming spring!
