LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — The Los Alamitos High School Griffin Gazette is trying to raise money to attend the JEA National High School Journalism in Nashville, TN. This year, 11 journalism students, as well as the class advisor, Mrs. Franzen, will be going on this trip. The convention will have numerous guest speakers, workshops and networking opportunities with fellow high school journalists and professionals. Participating in this conference would be a huge growth opportunity for LAHS’s young writers.
“Each journalist (who) goes will also be entered into a contest. There’s a lot of different genres like broadcasting, photography and written categories,” Jaya Eapen said, co-editor-in-chief of the Griffin Gazette.
Since the LAHS journalism program does not currently have a booster club, the Griffin Gazette must fundraise for the trip itself.
“Our plan right now is to really use our skills that we have. We’re really good at emailing people and reaching out to the community. We also are planning on reaching out to LAEF and other organizations that have helped us in the past,” Katie Arnoult, co-editor-in-chief, said.
They also plan to reach out to local small businesses and partner with organizations to hang up posters in their establishments in exchange for advertising them on the Griffin Gazette website.
The total goal for the Griffin Gazette’s fundraising is $4,000. Currently, $1,034 has been donated. The program’s GoFundMe page will cover the convention expenses and will be open until Nov. 1, as the class leaves for the convention on Nov. 13.
Posters will be hung up all around the LAHS campus with the QR code to the GoFundMe page.
Last year, the Griffin Gazette attended the same conference but they only sent two student representatives. The fundraising was a lot easier to accomplish because it was a lighter fee, but the journalism students are optimistic that they can meet their goal.
“I’m feeling pretty confident about the finances; we really do have a great community behind us, and I can’t wait for (Nashville),” Arnoult said.
If you would like to donate, please visit the Griffin Gazette’s GoFundMe page.
Katie Morad • Oct 7, 2025 at 12:07 pm
I’m very excited that such a large group of students will have the opportunity to travel to Nashville and attend this journalism conference. It is definitely an amazing experience that will provide loads of knowledge as well as networking opportunities. I can’t wait to hear about it once you all return.