Providing support and leadership in scholastic journalism

Kansas Scholastic Press Association
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Providing support and leadership in scholastic journalism

Kansas Scholastic Press Association
Providing support and leadership in scholastic journalism

Kansas Scholastic Press Association

Sunflower Award

 

Nominations for the 2026 honors should be submitted by March 13, 2026. Apply here.

  

The Sunflower Award recognizes a new adviser who shows enthusiasm and dedication to building a strong journalism program and aims to encourage the adviser to remain in the profession. The recipient of the award will receive a student scholarship to a Kansas summer media workshop and a plaque presented at the State Celebration in May, following recognition at the adviser’s school. One award will be presented each year. Submit nominations at this link.

The nominee will be judged on the following four criteria: 

  1. Has five or fewer years advising experience. 
  2. Demonstrates commitment to journalism education. 
  3. Supports First Amendment rights through teaching of the law and allowing student leadership and free expression.
  4. Shows improvement in journalism program during advising period.

Nomination requirements:

  1. A primary nomination letter that includes the nominator’s relationship with the nominee and detailed examples of how the nominee meets the award criteria.
  2. One letter of recommendation from another source who can give examples of how the nominee meets the award criteria.
Free State adviser Jared Shuff thanks his students at a surprise ceremony after receiving the 2025 KSPA Sunflower Award

Sunflower Winners: