By Travis Feil, KSPA President-Elect A Common Problem My basic journalism course is offered opposite band and choir – both very popular courses in my district. My J1 desks, consequently, have traditionally been populated by students more interested in avoiding music than embracing journalism. They confess it, and I’m fine…...
Yet another reason every student should enroll in journalism
By Travis Feil KSPA President-Elect Last week I was sitting at my desk working on American Literature lesson plans. Exhausted and overwhelmed from moving into a new classroom, I sat staring at my computer, knowing students would be arriving for the first time the next day. My yearbook editors were…...
KSPA President: Membership pays dividends
Dear Kansas journalism advisers, Welcome back for yet another year of scholastic journalism excellence! At this time of year, most of us are just getting our teaching “sea legs” under us again after what I hope was a relaxing and restful summer vacation. That re-acclimation process takes time (which we…...
Seven Kansas students win national journalism awards from NFPW
Seven Kansas high school journalism students have placed in the National Federation of Press Women High School Communications Competition. Three of those students — Maggie Simmons and Andrew Goble from Shawnee Mission East, and Andy Wickoren from Shawnee Mission Northwest — won first place in their respective categories. The students…...
All-Kansas winners announced
The results for All-Kansas winners for news publications, websites and videos are in. The entries were judged by top journalism advisers from around the country and went through an extensive critique process. The winners for each paper, video program and website are considered the best of that category in the…...
Shawnee Mission West adviser wins Jackie Engel Award
Amy Morgan, the journalism adviser for Shawnee Mission West High School, has won a prestigious journalism teaching award for 2011. Morgan is this year’s recipient of Jackie Engel Award, sponsored by the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press and named in honor of Jackie Engel, a former journalism teacher at McPherson High…...
Two Kansas schools earn national Pacemaker finalist ranking
Two Kansas student digital publications have been named finalists for Pacemaker awards by the National Scholastic Press Association. The Shawnee Mission East Harbinger Online was named a national online Pacemaker finalist. The Harbinger is one of just 37 news websites to earn the distinction and one of only 18 that…...