Symposium Details, Congratulations Jumpstart New Year
Diana Hadley
I hope 2012 is off to a good start at all of your schools.
A new year provides several opportunities for your students to earn scholarships and awards from IHSPA, Hoosier State Press Association, Journalism Education Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists.
By the end of this week you should receive a mailing that includes information about this year’s First Amendment Symposium at the Indiana Statehouse March 7. However, this blog post also includes an 8-page PDF of the mailing (see first link).
Keynote speakers for the symposium are Frank LoMonte, Executive Director of the Student Press Law Center, and Charles McCormick, 2010 JEA National Administrator of the Year. IHSPA student officers also will share their personal experiences and thoughts about the First Amendment.
The event will also feature the announcement of the 2012 Indiana Student Journalist of the Year, and awards will be presented to students with the best First Amendment essays, projects and graphic designs.Please note the link in the first paragraph for information about all of the contests. Feel welcome to call me or send an email if you have questions about any of the details. (317.341.4360 or dhadley@franklincollege.edu)
As you will see, these are wonderful opportunities for your students. Just as one contest is posted for Super Bowl winners, it will be exciting to see new entries for other contests start to arrive.
Congratulations to Kim Green, Columbus North High School yearbook and newspaper adivser, who was just named JEA Yearbook Adviser of the Year.
Additional congratulations to the following sports writers and photographers whose work during first semester earned them credentials to attend Super Bowl Media Day:
•Sam Beishuizen, Crown Point High School
•Beatriz Costa-Lima, Munster High School
•Brooke Denny, Noblesville High School
•Peter Hood, Warren Cental High School
•Olivia Humphries, Greencastle High School
•Alex Kryah, Lawrence Central High School
•Haley Ward, Greenwood High School
Here’s A ‘Super’ Idea For Your Sports Staff!
Diana Hadley
I just deleted dozens of “Holiday Email Deals” hoping that my “Your Mailbox Is Almost Full” message will be satisfied that I’m trying to stay ahead of the capacity.
Therefore, I realize my message to you is just one of many and may be more than you have time to deal with as you finish up the semester this week or next.
HOWEVER, I HAVE A DEAL FOR YOUR SPORTS STAFF!
IHSPA has obtained four tickets for Super Bowl Media Day, Tuesday, January 31 at 10:00 a.m. We will award two of those tickets to Indiana high school sports writers/editors and two tickets to two photographers. Here is what student journalists should do to compete for them.
Submit name of student, school, position on staff and recommendation of adviser
with three different examples of any of the following by Wednesday, December 21, 2011:
* sports stories or columns the student has written and published for this year’s student publication or website.
* sports photos the student has taken for this year’s student publication or website.
* sports pages the student has designed for this year’s student publication or website.
Send the three PDF attachments and identification, and recommendation to Diana Hadley
dhadley@franklincollege.edu
We also hope to arrange for students to meet with some of the professional sports writers and photographers who will also attend the event. We are looking forward to sharing this opportunity with students who have excelled in sports reporting this semester.
Stories and photos taken during Media Day will be posted on the IHSPA website.
Feel welcome to contact me by phone or email if you have questions.
Good luck with end-of-semester chores and have a great, well-deserved holiday break!
IHSPA’s Core Values Stand Test Of Time
Diana Hadley
A reporter on a recent radio broadcast described a situation and asked her interviewee what was wrong with the response from the people involved. With incredulity that is hard to describe on the printed page, the woman said, “Well, it just isn’t true.”
In an era when false statements are just repeated more often and louder until people accept them, it was a refreshing splash of cold water —and it reminded me of the IHSPA core values and how they have met the test of time.
I remember the retreat that focused on creating an IHSPA mission statement. With the help of a facilitator the group struggled with wording that would both reflect the history of IHSPA and lead and inspire members far into the future. Everyone took the task so seriously that shaping the perfect phrase was difficult.
Toward the end of the day the group finally agreed on four words: truth, courage, freedom, and integrity. That’s it. Just four words.
Over a decade later, we still embrace those words. The IHSPA core values test can quickly solve many questions as they help lead us through tough coverage and ethical decisions. Is the story true? Is the overall integrity of the reporting appropriate, fair and balanced? Is the story important enough to test the freedom to print it? And does the staff have the courage to fight the fight the story might require?
Theses were good questions for student journalists in the 20th Century, and they still work for the 21st Century. In the past year, Indiana’s student journalists have tackled many big stories with an effort that reflects IHSPA core values. That effort will be featured in the 2012 spring issue of Dow Jones Adviser Update as a collection of education stories from three of our IHSPA high schools.
As issues that affect schools and students continue to evolve, feel welcome to share your school’s coverage with IHSPA.
‘American Teacher’ A Tale Worth Considering
Diana Hadley
I know it’s a stretch to think a publication adviser might have an extra two minutes and 42 seconds, but anyone who can find that time is encouraged to visit this link to see a trailer for a new documentary about the teaching profession.
American Teacher tells the story of four teachers who represent both urban and rural schools. Despite their passion to teach they question whether they can stay in the profession under the current circumstances.
Matt Damon, son of a teacher, is the narrator, and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth is producer and director.
I have had the opportunity to see an advance screening of this 82-minute documentary, and I know most journalism teachers will appreciate it on multiple levels. In addition to the fact it validates the work teachers do, it’s a great example of reporting that uses both statistics and narrative.
Post Convention Thoughts: Let Me Know If I Can Help
Diana Hadley
The flurry of October activities leading up to the 2011 convention have evolved into memory links on the IHSPA website. You can visit the photos, multimedia projects and contest results by clicking here. But remember that IHSPA services and activities continue throughout the year.
I continue to help advisers and their staffs plan local/regional activities on a variety of topics. Sometimes I help staffs mediate conflicts with administrators, and sometimes I just share some time with advisers and/or students to discuss common issues in the world of high school journalism.
A true story I shared at the convention advisers meeting:
After a recent on-site workshop that was scheduled at the school for the entire day, the adviser asked the yearbook students if they thought the day was worthwhile.
They said they thought it was. Whew!
Then one of the students asked how much I charged, and the adviser replied, “Nothing.”
To which the student said, “She was really worth nothing.”
I can be worth nothing to others too. Just let me know how I can help.
Haven’t Registered For The Convention Yet? No Problem
Diana Hadley
Hello Everyone:
Full Convention Program Ready. Now It’s Your Turn
Diana Hadley
I hope you won’t be able to resist looking at this link to the program for the IHSPA convention. You’ll find the program among the “Quick Downloads” links or you may click on the program cover page located elsewhere on the convention page. Please note that the convention program links you to a Zip file with multiple pages.
Based on the positive feedback from last year’s program, those who attend the convention will receive a reporter’s notebook that includes information about all the sessions and other IHSPA details on the opening pages. Downloading this information now may help you and your students plan for specific sessions to attend before you arrive.
Convention chairpersons Rachel McCarver, Nicole Wilson and Melissa Deavers-Lowie have convinced an impressive group of speakers to share their expertise in a variety of areas to inspire students and take their skills and their schools’ publications to the next level.
A registration form, on-site and maestro project information, and directions for nominating a principal of the year, Sengenberger or Ingelhart recipient are also available on the IHSPA’s special fall convention website and IHSPA Facebook page.
However, I am willing to provide personal assistance with information you need as you plan. I enjoy seeing your email addresses pop into my computer’s inbox. Continue to communicate your challenges and successes as we work toward the fall convention.
Previewing The 2011 Fall Convention
Diana Hadley
Once Labor Day weekend is history, it’s time to look forward to our next holiday—the IHSPA fall convention scheduled for Oct. 20-21 at Franklin College.
Even though it is more than six weeks away, there are things to do as you plan to attend this annual celebration. To help you in your planning, we’ve created a special convention page with all essential registration materials.
• Remember that the Thursday evening portion of the convention is a bonus for schools that want to participate in specialized contests and/or get travel completed before Friday morning. On-site contests will continue to offer challenges in writing, design, and photography and the new multimedia maestro opportunity. (Information and registration for on-sites and lodging options in the Franklin area are posted on the IHSPA website.
• Consider running for a student or adviser office. The Executive Board meets on Saturdays four to six times per year and plans the First Amendment Symposium at the Indiana Statehouse in March and the fall convention at Franklin College in October. Board members may also plan and/or participate in outreach programs throughout the year.
• Consider nominating an adviser for the Ella Sengenberger Award, an administrator who supports the student press for the administrator award, or a person who has contributed to scholastic journalism in general for the Louie Ingelhart Award. Letters of recommendation should be collected and sent to the IHSPA office for each of these nominations. (Again, CHECK HERE for more information about each of the awards.)
• Send 2011 yearbook entries for Harvey Awards by Sept. 15, 2011. Description of categories and forms are available on the IHSPA website or IHSPA Facebook page.
• Look over the timeline of events below to plan the best convention options for your students and schedule that field trip. New advisers need to know that field trips generally have to be planned at least a month ahead.
Registration Form
Thursday evening, October 20, 2011
5:00-7:00 p.m. — Registration at Spurlock Center Lobby
7:00 p.m. — Onsite writing, design, and photography contests (preregistration required)
Multimedia maestro project (preregistration required)
Wii games and karaoke activities.
Friday, October 21, 2011
7:30-8:30 a.m. — Registration at Spurlock Center lobby
8:30-9:30 a.m. — Opening session
Keynote speech by Scott Swan, Indianapolis Channel 13 anchor, in Spurlock Center gymnasium
9:45-1:30 p.m. — Four 45-minute rounds of sessions led by journalism professionals who will share a variety of information about newspaper, yearbook, broadcast, business, management, leadership, design, photography, journalism careers, and media law/ethics
11:30-12:30.m. — Lunch (included in registration fee) options, student elections and tours of Franklin College Napolitan Student Center
11:45-12:30 p.m. — IHSPA adviser business meeting and luncheon in Branigin Room/Napolitan Student Center
1:45-2:30 p.m. — Closing session
Presentation of publication awards in Spurlock Center gymnasium
Anyone who has questions about the convention or any of the contests is welcome contact Diana Hadley. As a final reminder, all registration forms and general information about the convention are available HERE.
Office Phone: 317.738.8199
Cell: 317.341.4360
A Little Bragging As The School Year Ends
Diana Hadley
I’m probably about to make a big mistake on purpose—but I have a good reason.
I’m going to brag about some of our advisers who have been recognized for excellence by their schools this spring with the hunch that I will omit some who haven’t been reported. I hope this blog will encourage others to let me know of other adviser honors so that I can brag about even more of our people. (It’s hard to cover a state full of talented, hard-working but humble people adequately.) Here is what I know from websites and friends of the award-winners:
Jim Streisel, Carmel High School, was named Carmel Clay Schools Teacher of the Year May 9. Jim has taught at Carmel 16 years, and he has been adviser of the HiLite since 2004.
Streisel is a valued instructor for workshops and conferences throughout the country. The HiLite has received the IHPSA Hoosier Star five times under his leadership.
Casey Tedrow was named Teacher of the Year for Center Grove High School.
She teaches English, Journalism, and Etymology and is a co-chair of the English department and co-chair of the professional development team. She has advised the Trojan yearbook for 11 years, and this year she co-advises CGTV.
Jim Lang, Floyd Central High School, received similar recognition with the Principal’s Tribute to Excellence award presented to one Floyd Central faculty member each year. In addition to advising publications at Floyd Central, Jim has been an IHSPA board member since 1998 and an Adviser of the Year. He has also been a member of task teams to develop the First Amendment Symposium and journalism/mass media standards for Indiana.
Three other advisers made the elite list of Lilly Teacher Creativity Award recipients for this year: Tom Gayda, publications adviser at North Central High School; Kathy McKinney, publications adviser at Kankakee Valley High School, and Kathleen Mills, newspaper adviser at Bloomington High School South.
When one considers the fact that some of our advisers have already received this kind of distinction in past years and that each school only has one or two publications advisers, the number who are recognized for excellence each year is noteworthy. Congratulations to all. IHSPA has a great team!
Editor’s Note: Although make-up days are going to delay the end of the year for many schools, others are drawing to a close within a few days. Due to the changes in publication dates for a significant number of newspapers, the new postmark deadline for newspaper Harvey entries is Friday, June 10. Information and entry forms can be downloaded from the IHPSA website. Anyone who has a student newspaper published after June 10 should contact me if they still want to enter the contest.
Everyone Benefits When Our Students Benefit
Diana Hadley
Although many educational institutions are eliminating programs and special projects, some Indiana groups have continued traditional journalism events with great success; and others have even initiated new ones. HSPA members and I have enjoyed being included in some of these special events this spring.
Something Old
Ball State University Journalism Department hosted its 56th annual J-Day in its traditional large format. As other conferences across the country report drops in attendance at frightening percentages, J-Day still drew a crowd of 1342 students and 78 advisers representing 68 schools.
J-Day occurs at a time when advisers and students can reflect on the past year and evaluate positives and negatives as they plan for the next year. Brian Hayes and his staff pack the day with a variety of sessions and contests that reward staff and individual success as they educate and inspire.
Something New
The NCAA offered a junior journalism workshop for middle school girls during the Women’s Basketball Final Four weekend at Conseco. The agenda included a lesson about news writing, the opportunity to participate in a national press conference and one-on-one collaboration with media professionals. It was a wonderful chance for young girls to meet successful young women, ask questions that interest middle school students and then tell those stories.
Both Old and New
Old charters were reinstated when Teresa White, Director of Indiana University’s High School Journalism Institute, hosted a Quill and Scroll induction ceremony for Indianapolis Public Schools on April 29. The evening reception followed a workshop sponsored earlier in the day by the I.U. and IUPUI collegiate chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Vanessa Shelton, Executive Director of the International Quill and Scroll Society, led the induction of new members that recognized the scholastic and journalistic accomplishments of six yearbook or newspaper students from Arsenal Technical High School and six yearbook, newspaper or broadcast students from Broad Ripple Media Magnet High School.
All Good
The effort of many professional individuals and groups help organizations committed to scholastic journalism succeed. Members of The Hoosier State Press Association, The Indianapolis Star, WfYI and WTHR provided sponsorships and additional financial support for the SPJ workshop and Quill and Scroll event. They are part of a larger group that supports student activities and projects throughout the year.
Everyone benefits when our students benefit. Thanks to everyone who contributes.
My View