By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

From text messaging to downloading Web sites and digital photos, roughly 60 future journalists spent Thursday morning questioning Verizon Wireless officials about the company's newest products and the future of cellular technology.

Their questions were part of a student press conference attended by students at Sycamore, La Salle, Loveland and both Lakota high schools. The event, at Sycamore and sponsored by Verizon, was a chance for the students to develop business news stories, improve their interviewing skills and see the latest phone gadgets.

The two-hour program started with an information session from local newspaper and broadcast journalists. Verizon network and product specialists then gave a presentation about wireless technology.

"I like the fact that it was set up in a journalism setting," said 17-year-old Sara Thomas, chief editor of the Lakota East Spark. "There were people who were able to interrupt and tell us about better ways to ask the questions. I'm not here for Verizon; I'm here for my staff, and to help me and my staff improve."

The students will use their notes from the conference to write a business-related story to be judged by the journalist panel.

The winner, to be announced in February or early March, will receive a $500 donation to the school's journalism department or school newspaper. The second- and third-place winners will each get a $250 donation.

Thursday's press conference was Verizon's first for Greater Cincinnati, said Laura Merritt, a company spokeswoman. The company hopes to have one in Cleveland.

"It's wild talking to kids about the new technology because they're so sharp," she said.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com