Three Kansas student websites earn Pacemaker finalist distinction
March 12, 2013
Student news websites from Lawrence Free State, Mill Valley and Shawnee Mission East were named Pacemaker finalists Tuesday by the National Scholastic Press Association. NSPA Online Pacemaker contest judges waded through 252 student news websites from across the country and winnowed that list down to... Read more »
A pressing concern: The path to journalism certification
Travis Feil, KSPA President-Elect
March 3, 2012
It has recently come to my attention that all courses for the AV Communications Pathway require specialized endorsements. That is to say, whatever English Language Arts certification allowed instructors to teach communication technology courses under VE2 is no longer valid for Career Pathway approval.... Read more »
New weather policy has best interests of student journalists in mind
December 17, 2011
By Jill Chittum, KSPA President After years of kicking around the idea, and multiple meetings where member concerns dealing with the regional contest weather policy were addressed, the KSPA executive board passed a new inclement weather policy following its December meeting in Wichita. The goal of the... Read more »
Motivation without conflict, Part I
September 29, 2011
By Travis Feil KSPA President-Elect After the fall conferences this past week, I’ve been contacted by several students and advisers across the state with some meaningful questions about staff relationships, leadership and dealing with problems that arise during production cycles. We’ve all had... Read more »
You can lead a student to journalism class, but can you make him like it?
September 2, 2011
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. ... Read more »
Yet another reason every student should enroll in journalism
August 29, 2011
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... Read more »
KSPA President: Membership pays dividends
August 29, 2011
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... Read more »
Seven Kansas students win national journalism awards from NFPW
May 17, 2011
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... Read more »
St. Francis student’s design selected for 2011 State t-shirt
March 30, 2011
Tilyn Bell of St. Francis Community High School is the 2011 state t-shirt design contest winner. She will receive a $50 check and t-shirt as a prize. Out of several qualified entries, Bell’s stood out among the rest with its simple, yet bold design featuring the 20 contests offered at the state... Read more »
Two Kansas schools earn national Pacemaker finalist ranking
March 11, 2011
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... Read more »
