This award honors an adviser who has displayed a significant effort continually improve his/her journalism program and make a significant contribution to the profession of advising in Kansas.

Award requirements:

  1. At least five years advising experience and a commitment to continued advising with consistent (not necessarily consecutive) membership in KSPA and/or JEA. 
  2. Regular participation in KSPA regional contests, fall conferences, and/or summer workshops to improve student skills and advising abilities. 
  3. Support of First Amendment rights through teaching of the law and allowing student leadership and free expression. 
  4. A significant contribution of personal time and effort to improve the quality of scholastic journalism in his/her school OR the profession of advising in Kansas. 
  5. Overcoming a considerable challenge or obstacle (such as but not limited to: budget constraints, low enrollment, socio-economic disadvantages in the district, multiple teaching assignments and sponsorships, legislative or administrative opposition to scholastic journalism, etc.).

Nomination requirements:

  1. Letter from primary nominator with examples which are pertinent to the candidate based on requirements (limit one nominee per school district)
  2. One letter of recommendation from a student or former student, colleague, a publication representative, a parent, member of the professional press, or an administrator with examples of requirements

Winners will be honored at the State Celebration in May with a $250 cash prize and a plaque.

To nominate an adviser for the Ad Astra Award, click here. The deadline is March 3, 2025.

Ad Astra winners include: