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Maya Smith

Lawrence, KS, 66046

(785)-917-1425

smithmaya2136@gmail.com

JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE

Editor-in-Chief of The Red and Black

May 2022 — Present 
  • Work with adviser on national award-winning publication, the Red and Black yearbook 

  • Plan content for a 250-page yearbook, looking ahead to anticipate what is needed next

  • Assign work to staffers every two weeks, playing to their strengths while still managing to accomplish the needs of the publication 

  • Collaborate with editors of newspaper, website and social media to meet content needs of all publications

  • Edit both design and reporting content each week to keep up with assignment cycles

  • Keep up with deadlines for print publication 

  • Help teach and guide converged journalism staff of more than 70, mentoring future leaders within the staff along the way 

  • Write, design and take photos to contribute to mutliple publications besides yearbook

  • Advocate to administrators about needs for the program

  • Share live coverage of significant events, including school board meetings

  • Lead staff initiatives, including an election forum and Middle School Media Fest

  • Complete outreach for middle schools through leading design workshop at program’s Middle School Media Fest

Editor-in-Training

December 2021 — May 2022
  • Attend editor meetings to help with tasks that come with being an editor 

  • Complete last-minute jobs from editors in chief

  • Learn skills needed to run a publication

  • Help edit content

  • Teach new staffers how to succeed

Staff Reporter and Photographer

August 2021 — May 2022
  • Write stories for all three publications, the Red and Black yearbook, The Budget newspaper and lhsbudget.com

  • Complete photo assignments at least twice a week, often exceeding expectations 

  • Write at least five to 10 captions per week

  • Submit story pitches to my editors

High School Journalistic Awards and Achievements

National Scholastic Press Association

  • Yearbook Pacemaker Finalist, one of the top 47 high school yearbooks in the country to be named to the organization’s premiere honor, 2023 yearbook

  • Second Place Best of Show, yearbooks 232-276 pages, fall 2023 National High School Journalism Convention

  • Design of the Year, Yearbook Theme Package, second place, 2023

 

Kansas Scholastic Press Association

  • Kansas Student Journalist of the Year, both 5A/6A and overall state winner

  • All-Kansas yearbook critique, 2023

  • Two KSPA State placings and six 5A/6A regional placings 

  • First place News Writing, November 2023

  • Second place News Writing, August 2023

  • Second place News Writing, April 2023

  • Second place Multimedia Storytelling, February 2023

  • Second place Yearbook Layout, August 2022

  • Third place Yearbook Layout, January 2023

  • Third place Multimedia Storytelling, November 2022

  • Second place Yearbook Layout, October 2022

  • Fifth place Multimedia storytelling, March 2024

  • Second place Yearbook Layout, March 2024

  • First place Yearbook Theme and Graphics, March 2024 

  • First place Feature Writing, March 2024

  • Second place News Writing, March 2024

 

Journalism Education Association

  • Superior, news writing, National Student Media Contests, fall 2023

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School Newspapers Online

  • Four 'Best of SNO' awards from 2023-2024​​

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Staff

  • Quill & Scroll journalism honor society member, 2021-current

  • 2022 Lawrence High School Journalism Staff Photographer of the Year award

  • 2023 Lawrence High School Journalism Staff "MVP" award

 

Innovations Expo

  • Third place photography

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Journalism workshops

  • Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop, June 2022 and 2023, yearbook theme development class

  • Kansas Scholastic Press Association Winter Conference, 2022

  • Kansas Scholastic Press Association Fall Conference, 2022 and 2023

  • National High School Journalism Convention, Boston, fall 2023

General High School Achievements and Activities 

Academics 

  • 2021 Grand prize winner of Watkins Museum Art Contest, centered around the importance of voting in all elections

  • University of Kansas Chancellor's Top Scholar

  • Two year member of Including People Selflessly (IPS) program: inclusive leadership-based class with general and special needs, working on leadership, campaigns, and Special Olympics Unified Sports.

  • Regular volunteer with Brain Exercise Initiative, working with residents with dementia on brain exercises in later stages of life 

  • Student Council: senior class treasurer 

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Work

  • Lawrence Arts Center Youth Visual Arts Intern, spring of 2023

  • Hang 12 Youth Curatorial Collective member, as social media coordinator and foundations manager, 2022-present

    • Curatorial board: plans community events, art shows, screen prints, sells merchandise ​

  • Lawrence Arts Center Studio Aide for Youth Visual Arts department 

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