The University of Illinois at Champaign‑Urbana was the site of the 46 annual Illinois State High School Press Association convention held on September 16 and 17.

Seven hundred and fifty students representing 250 Illinois high schools attended. Among them were five Maine West students and the sponsor of the Westerner and Legend, Mr. George Walker. Those representing the Westerner were Karen Felix '67, editor; and Cheryl Bard '67 and Ellen Dick '67, co‑managing editors. Legend representatives were Linda Virostko '67, editor; and Anita Waskowski '67, business manager.

General sessions were held for all those that attended. Speakers for these sessions were Mrs. Lois Wille, a Pulitzer Prize winning writer for the Chicago Daily News and Mr. Bill Saunders, a political cartoonist from the Kansas City Star.

During these two days small discussion groups were formed to help students improve their publications. These small groups helped to further the overall purpose of the convention, which was to improve student publications.

The representatives stayed at the Ramada Inn in Champaign. While they were there, these five girls attended a dance or two and were able to see the University of Illinois campus.

"The ISHSPA convention made our staff take a truthful look at our newspaper and yearbook. We have learned from this experience how to make our publications better," according to Cheryl Bard, one of those who attended.

"The convention was held on a more adult level and appealed to all of us because of that. We all are anxious to revisit the campus," said Ellen Dick, a representative to the convention from the Westerner.