It began early in the morning as throngs of high school journalism students descended upon Bakersfield College for the annual High School Journalism Day. Put on by The Renegade Rip, 200 students from schools around Kern County competed in a variety of on-the-spot competitions.

J-Day challenged students in several areas of journalism, highlighting critical review, editorial writing, news writing, news photography and feature writing in a competitive environment.

The news story and photo contests featured a demonstration by the Kern County Fire Department’s disaster search dogs.

The 40-minute demonstration and interview session was a unique opportunity for students.

Bakersfield High School journalism adviser Marjorie Bell commented on her students’ experience.

“They do less spot news coverage than anything, but they need to learn to write under pressure. It’s valuable in all kinds of situations. They don’t get anything like this in high school, they usually have five days to write a story. That’s a long time period to mull over what they’re going to do.”

During the editorial competition students were asked to pick from a selection of current topics including the impact of the Title IX law.

Jenny Grayson, 17, a second-year journalism student and an opinion editor on the staff of The Revolution at Liberty High School, competed in the event.

“Last year, I kind of realized it actually is like a competition and after I sit down and start writing and everything you just kind of get a little competitive,” Grayson said.

However it wasn’t all competition. In the afternoon, photo students were able to meet with Bakersfield Californian photographers and get feedback on some of their own work.

“It’s a valuable experience,” Bell added. “And some kids just come out of their shell when they realize they’re really good at this. I think it may help them determine careers and all types of things, (such as) give them confidence.”

During the awards ceremony, the top award of general excellence was given to The Kernal, East Bakersfield High School’s newspaper.