Celebrate KSPA’s 50th Anniversary!

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Celebrate KSPA's 50th Anniversary!

Join us to recognize a landmark anniversary for a vital non-profit that supports student journalism in Kansas

[borntogive_feat_link feat_title=”APRIL: Party in KC” feat_head_line=”April 4: 4:30-6:30 p.m.” feat_url_target=”” feat_custom_bg=”#0054a5″ feat_custom_text=”#ffffff”]

What: Food and fun during the opening day of the national convention
When: Thursday, April 4, 2024: 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Where: The JEA/NSPA National Convention in Kansas City. The event will be held in Westin Century Ballrooms B & C at Crown Center, the same location as the national convention.
Who: Students and advisers from KSPA member schools
Cost: $20 per student/adviser
NOTE: Students from each school must be accompanied by their adviser or a chaperone from their school.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED

Don't miss out!

Friday, March 22: First day of registration for KSPA Party in KC in April

Friday, March 29: Deadline to register for KSPA Party in KC in April

April 4: Date of KSPA Party in KC in April

Countdown to the party

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[borntogive_feat_link feat_title=”MAY: Luncheon at KU” feat_head_line=”May 4: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.” feat_url_target=”” feat_custom_bg=”#0054a5″ feat_custom_text=”#ffffff”]

What: A celebration of the people who brought KSPA to its 50th year
When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: The Kansas Union at the University of Kansas
Who: Current and former KSPA advisers, KSPA Hall of Fame members, supports of student journalism and their guests
Cost: $20 per person

Don't miss out!

Monday, March 25: First day of registration for KSPA Luncheon at KU in May

Thursday, April 25: Deadline to register for KSPA Luncheon at KU in May

Saturday, May 4: Date of KSPA Luncheon at KU in May

Countdown to the luncheon

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Kansas student press history before KSPA's founding

There were many organizations and events that preceded the Kansas Scholastic Press Association as supports for student journalists in Kansas:

[mvc_timeline_father size=”10″ clr=”#0054a5″ width=”3″][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”First Contest” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1918″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ image_id=”35709″ css=”.vc_custom_1711127209045{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]“Kansas State Agricultural College” (now Kansas State University) hosted the “FIRST ANNUAL KANSAS HIGH SCHOOL NEWSPAPER CONTEST”

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Conferences at KU” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1919-1949″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ image_id=”35712″ css=”.vc_custom_1711127411042{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]University of Kansas journalism school held annual student journalism conferences as statewide gatherings

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Decades of contests” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1920-1963″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ image_id=”35714″ css=”.vc_custom_1711127667495{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]University of Kansas sponsors a high school newspaper contest. The only years that were missed were due to World War II

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”The first teachers’ group” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1926″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ image_id=”35715″ css=”.vc_custom_1711127643852{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]Kansas Council of Teachers of Journalism is formed

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Another student press group” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1940s” size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711127712792{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]The Kansas Interscholastic Press Association (KIPA) operated as an organization

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Another group for teachers” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1951″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711127843526{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]A fledgling and eventually failed group, the Kansas Council of Publication Advisers, begins

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”KOPA begins” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1964″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711127892170{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]More than 50 advisers enrolled as charter members in the Kansas Organization of Publications Advisors (KOPA). Membership dues were $1.

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”KOPA moves to KU” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1967″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711128043929{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}” image_id=”35717″]KOPA informs KSU “Department of Technical Journalism” that they intend to relocate to the University of Kansas

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”First Courier newsletter” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1967″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711128084177{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]The first issue of the Courier, the newsletter of KOPA, is published in May

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Standing together” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1960s & 1970s” size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711128212351{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]KOPA and KSPA (Kansas Scholastic Press Association) exist as parallel organizations.

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KSPA History

Since its founding in 1974, KSPA has been a constant support for student journalists in Kansas.

[mvc_timeline_father size=”10″ clr=”#0054a5″ width=”3″][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”First KSPA contest” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1972″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129482436{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]While still a part of KOPA, KSPA hosts its first contest in April

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”KSPA’s founding” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1974″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129490884{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]KSPA constitution is “Approved at the annual meeting of KOPA/KSPA in Lawrence, Kansas, Saturday, March 30, 1974”

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”First Student Journalist of the Yer” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1986″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129510123{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]John Milburn of Pittsburg High School earns the first award for Kansas Student Journalist of the Year

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Honoring supportive administrators” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1990″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129571390{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]Gary Graber of Nickerson High School is named the first Administrator of the Year

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Protection for student free expression” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1992″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129619099{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]The Kansas Student Publications Act is signed into law by Governor Joan Finney, providing protections for student journalists and their teachers

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”The first Hall of Fame inductees” titlepadding=”20″ date=”1995″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129452722{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]The first inductees to the KSPA Hall of Fame are announced: 17 teachers and university faculty

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Honoring Jackie Engel” titlepadding=”20″ date=”2005″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129761381{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]Jackie Engel, the “mother of KSPA,” passes away at the age of 81 after a career at McPherson High School. The highest teaching award for Kansas journalism advisers is named after her.

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”A Fake Principal Goes Viral” titlepadding=”20″ date=”2017″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129828656{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]The “Pittsburg 6,” six students from Pittsburg High School, force the resignation of their newly hired principal by exposing her fake credentials, making international news

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”25th anniversary of student press law” titlepadding=”20″ date=”2017″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129870567{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]To mark the anniversary of the Kansas Student Publications Act, hundreds of students gather in Topeka for an overnight conference at a hotel.

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Honoring student courage” titlepadding=”20″ date=”2018″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129906888{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]KSPA awards its first Courage in Journalism Awards to two students from different schools: Shawnee Mission North and Blue Valley Northwest

[/mvc_timeline_son][mvc_timeline_son maintitle=”Through the pandemic” titlepadding=”20″ date=”2020″ size=”20″ icon=”far fa-calendar” bgclr=”#0054a5″ icon_size=”20″ titleclr=”#ffffff” titlebg=”#0054a5″ css=”.vc_custom_1711129943843{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;margin-left: 10px !important;}”]KSPA contests and awards continue through pandemic lockdowns that closed schools, allowing students to continue competing

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