Central Times reported on the Democratic National Convention in Chicago from Aug 19. to Aug 22. 

The Illinois Journalism Education Association provided the opportunity for 10 high schools to report at the DNC by joining the Illinois Youth Press Corps. IJEA’s goal was to provide student journalists the opportunity to have the same experience as professional media. 

“Having the opportunity to interview attendees as a student journalist is really everything that we stand for as a student-run publication,” said Jay Deegan, editor-in-chief of CT. “It shows that we can create content like real journalists and that we can be treated as real journalists.”

Central sent five journalists to the convention including Deegan, Content Managing Editor Sarah Segvich, Operations Managing Editor C.J. Getting and alumni correspondents Jake Pfeiffer and Javen Oswald.

“It truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Getting said. “I wrote a lot of our content for the convention, such as our stories on protests and youth engagement at the DNC. We also published daily media coverage on Twitter and Instagram, which had some of our photos from the convention.”

CT staff interviewed 22 attendees at the DNC including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

“The coolest moment was running after Senator Tammy Duckworth in the basement of The United Center when she was leaving,” Deegan said. “I was able to get a quick interview question with her.” 

Deegan received floor passes on Wednesday and Thursday, allowing him to take event photos including Vice President Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech for the Democratic national nominee.

“I think this is a lifelong memory for me,” Deegan said. “I was surrounded by staff who are really high quality and who created amazing content.”