Mississippi Press Association Staff Visit Washington D.C.

(left to right) Layne Bruce, Stephanie Patton, Clara Turnage, Joel McNeese and Dr. Will Norton Jr. at The National Press Club where National Newspaper Association held its annual dinner.

While numerous Mississippians enjoyed spring break last week, the Mississippi Press Association staff met up with a University of Mississippi student and school dean in Washington D.C.

MPA president Joel McNeese of The Calhoun County Journal in Bruce, MPA past president Jim Prince of The Neshoba Democrat in Philadelphia, MPA director Stephanie Patton of The Leland Progress in Leland and MPA executive director Layne Bruce of Madison all traveled to Washington D.C.

There, they met Clara Turnage, University of Mississippi student and managing editor of The Daily Mississippian, and Dr. Will Norton, Jr., dean of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media.

Turnage participated in a news fellowship program while in D.C. that was underwritten by the MPA Education Foundation.

Executive director Layne Bruce said, “The program was coordinated by the National Newspaper Association Foundation and had participating fellows visiting Washington-based organizations such as Gallup and the Newseum as they work on an editorial project concentrating on terrorism.”

They also visited Capitol Hill where they saw Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker as well as Congressman Gregg Harper of Mississippi’s Third District and Congressman Trent Kelly of the First District.

“All activities were part of the National Newspaper Association Leadership Summit held in DC. We usually participate each year,” said Bruce.

(left to right) Layne Bruce, Stephanie Patton, Sen. Thad Cochran, Joel McNeese and Jim Prince.

(left to right) Joel McNeese, Stephanie Patton and Jim Prince visited the White House in Washington D.C.

(left to right) Jim Prince, Stephanie Patton, –, Joel McNeese and Layne Bruce.

For comments or questions, email Callie Daniels Bryant at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.

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