Flashing lights, enormous billboards, and thousands of people were what nine communication students saw as they entered New York City for a media conference. Students got the pleasure to listen to presenters from all over the country and from well known magazines including Cosmopolitan and Men’s Health.

Although all had unique ways to conveying information, Michael Koretzky from Florida Atlantic University, walked through he presentations with a jockey whip to point to his power point.

If students answered his questions correctly or cleverly, he would give them gold dollar, adding that students at his school get three then go buy a beer from a machine.

To wrap up his main points about newspaper design quickly after each section, he did 10-second video recaps set to music.

Others presented with PowerPoint, lectures, candid advice and question and answers.

With varieties of topics to choose from, Castleton Spartan newspaper students got to attend an array of sessions on everything from editing and design to photography and feature writing.

Koretzky’s was called “Chicken Salad” for designing a page, “100 story ideas” for how to come up with story ideas and “Website Roulette” for different Web pages to use for sources.

“My favorite was 100 different story ideas because I was never good at coming up with ideas,” said junior Maria Arnot, a former online editor for Castleton Spartan.

Current online editor Alison Clark said she enjoyed that session as well.

“They really stressed to look at story ideas from different perspectives to get ideas,” Clark said.

Some students, like Megan Davis, found it the conference to give her more comfort as a journalist, especially as she prepares to take over editor duties of Castleton Spartan next semester.

“I feel better prepared to take on editor next year,” said Davis

It wasn’t all work though. The group was able to go out and have some laughs while in the city.

While walking to dinner the first night, Arnot screamed and jumped on a homeless man to hug him. He turned out to be her prom date from three years while in high school. Arnot explained later on that night that he isn’t really homeless but goes to Manhattanville College. He still managed to get $20 out of junior Wyatt Aloisio for playing him a song.

“That was the highlight of the trip,” said editor John Shramek while chuckling.

Others got more of a laugh from going to a comedy club when they saw five comedians do their stand-up routine in a basement after buying tickets off the street.

“Despite the fact that it was sketchy, it was still a good time that we wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else,” said Davis.

Page Designer Traci Hubbell went to New York City for the first time on this trip and just felt overwhelmed while walking around the city.

“You get ADD because the billboards, shops and lights are distracting. I felt like a goldfish,” said Hubbell after her return.

There was one thing most who went on the trip agreed on; they all wanted to stay for the last day of the convention.

“I wish we could have stayed longer. The sessions were so informative and interesting, I wanted to go to more,” said Clark.