High school journalism classes from across the nation will converge at the nation’s capitol this November 5-9 for the National Journalism Convention. The JEA/NSPA Fall Conference is held annually at different cities across the nation. The convention includes workshops for journalism students to learn from professionals, an exhibit hall filled with vendors who sell to students along with Write-off contests that students can enter.

Students from the Bryant High School’s yearbook and newspaper publication staff will be attending this year’s convention. Each student must pay their own way. The total cost includes airfare, convention cost and hotel room (split four ways). Students attending must also bring money for metro travel, dining and other personal items. Sophomore Becca Russell is a first year newspaper staff member, and is wanting to attend the convention.

“The day we got the paper I looked at it and thought ‘There’s no way I’m going to be able to go to this because we don’t have the money.’” Russell said. “I told my counselor about wanting to go to. She told me ‘You’re going to be able to go.’ And she gave me the idea to have this carwash.”

Russell will hold a carwash to raise money for the deposit, due Aug. 29, for the trip to Washington D.C. Other journalism students wanting to attend the convention are allowed to work at the carwash and the profits will be divided evenly between the workers.

“My counselor is providing all the buckets, washrags, soap and water,” Russell said.

The carwash is this Saturday at 8 a.m. in the parking lot behind Sutherlands on Military Road in Benton. Saturday. Russell plans to hold more carwashes and a raffle to raise the rest of the money before Oct. 31.

“There’s no reason all of us can’t go to D.C.,” Russell said.