Washington, D.C. — I just spent my first 24 hours at this year’s Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association Fall 2009 conference, and it has become even more clear what a huge presence our state makes on the national scholastic journalism scene.
Most notable will be Saturday’s luncheon, at which former KSPA Executive Director John Hudnall receives the Carl Towley Award, given by JEA to “members whose work is unusually beneficial and of superior value to the national JEA and to scholastic journalism.”
John spent 19 years as my predecessor, and all that KSPA is can be attributed to his hard work and leadership. He is deserving of this incredible award.
In addition, Chase County adviser Linda Drake spent her day helping to preside over the JEA Board meeting, serving as secretary. Of course, as JEA Executive Director, Kansas State University’s Linda Puntney keeps the entire conference humming.
A handful of Kansas City-area advisers are working this weekend to help promote the 2010 fall convention, which will be at the KCMO Convention Center.
Several advisers and a couple of K-State students are presenting sessions at the conference:
- Caitlin Burns, KSU Royal Purple yearbook editor;
- Jill Chittum, Blue Valley adviser;
- Amy DeVault, KSPA’s representative at Wichita State University;
- Linda Drake, Chase County adviser;
- Kathy Habiger, Mill Valley adviser;
- Jennifer Hanson, Satanta adviser;
- Anna Kearns, KSU grad student;
- Susan Massy, Shawnee Mission NW adviser;
- Mary Anne McCloud, Newton former adviser;
- Amy Morgan, Shawnee Mission West adviser;
- Mary Patrick, Maize South Middle School adviser;
- Tamara Salisbury, KSU Royal Purple yearbook editor;
Other advisers from Topeka, Junction City, Sterling, Pratt, Blue Valley, Olathe and the corners of our state have brought students to D.C.
Later this weekend, 11 student journalists from Kansas high schools will find out where they finished in national NSPA contests. The 11 are among 124 national individual finalists.
The Hays High School newspaper and yearbooks from Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission North and Shawnee Mission Northwest will find out this weekend if they have been named national Pacemakers.
Finally, college representatives from KU, KSU and Pittsburg State all had tables in the vendor areas today.
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