Young journalists gathered from all around the Dallas area at the Dr. Pepper Stars center in Frisco, Texas for the Dallas Stars High School Media Day Jan. 23. Students will compete against each other for the opportunity to attend a Dallas Stars game, update the official Twitter and Facebook for the Stars and share the press box with commentators and key note speakers: Ralph Strangis, Mark Crawford, Gina Miller and John Rhadigan, but the competition is not the main focus for these successful journalist. Hard work and dedication is where they put emphasis during the press conference.

“Persistence, persistence, persistence,” preached Ralph Strangis while Gina Miller was explaining her past journalism experiences.

One Dallas Star player that knows the meaning of persistence and hard work is Stanley Cup winner and first-year Stars player Michael Ryder. Ryder played for the Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins last and decided to sign with the smaller market Dallas Stars during last year’s free agency.

“The Stars showed the most interest in me during the free agency period,” Ryder said after he was asked why he chose the Stars and how he tries to lead a new team to a Stanley cup. “I try to put my two cents in when things aren’t going well. The season has ups and downs, but we just have to stay focused and keep the same mentality.”

Ryder spoke at the conference along with Eric Nystrom and Mike Riberio.

“Work hard and enjoy what you do, if you don’t love journalism find something else to do,” Fox Sports analyst John Rhadigan said.

http://vimeo.com/36095969

By Ty Holt, Elliot Parkman and Joel Quinones