Latest News
Gum, Gray Awarded Medals of Merit
by Kelley Robinson - Newsline Editor
Veteran high school journalism advisers from around the state are nominated each year for the Medal of Merit award, recognizing individuals who have contributed to sustaining scholastic journalism. This year, Dianne Gum of Centennial, Colo., and Katy Gray of Craig, Colo.,are awarded Medals of Merit.
“Obviously I’m extremely honored,” Gum said. “I hope I can use this as an avenue to inspire others to treasure their opportunity of advising student publications. …(Read More)
Mtn. Vista Senior Wins Contest, Gets Nikon Camera
by Stephen Wahlfeldt – CHSPA past president
Rob Denton, a senior at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, won the Fifth Annual Colorado High School Sports Photojournalism contest. The award was announced at the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame High School Sports Journalism Seminar on Dec. 3 at The Denver Post building.
Denton’s winning image captured members of the Mountain Vista football team celebrating after a victory this past fall. His photo is displayed above. (Read More)
2009 Sweepstakes Awards Announced Oct. 15
Colorado Sweepstakes awards in newspaper, yearbook and video media were announced and presented on Oct. 15 at Journalism Day held at Colorado State University.
Beginning in 2009 first place Sweepstakes winners were presented with a traveling trophy. Each year the trophy must be returned to CHSPA headquarters and another engraved plate will be added for the new Sweeps winner.
All Sweeps winners who received first, second or third place Sweeps were awarded with an engraved wall plaque that will be retained by the winners. Honorable Mention awards were again an option for judges in 2009. All students who placed with a first, second, third or honorable mention were awarded certificates. (Read More and access complete lists.)
Elitch Contest Winners Announced
by Clarissa Crozier – CHSPA Executive Director
Almost 40 students gathered at Elitch Gardens on Sept. 12 for the Fright Fest press conference offered by CHSPA. They learned about new attractions for this October event as well as received details about how the park is transformed from its summer mode to Fright Fest.
Students attending competed in photography and news story categories for prizes of Fright Fest tickets with Rapid Ride and haunted house passes. The entries were judged by Elitch Gardens and CHSPA staff.
Winning in the news story category was Emilia Cintoraof Eaton High School with first place. You can read her story on the Student Stories page. The second place story was written by Ryan Schoeber of Palisade High School.
In the photo category, Schoeber’s photo of the Turn of the Century ride earned first place. His photo is displayed on the Home page of the CHSPA Web site. Taking second place with her photo of the Sidewinder was Cintora.
Students also received a special code that can be used to purchase Fright Fest tickets online for the discounted price of $20. Any tickets purchased with this code benefit CHSPA’s scholarship funds. If you still have a paper that will publish before the end of October, share the code with your student body. The promo code is FF09.
Justin Daigle Named Teacher of the Year
by Kathy Gaber - TOY Coordinator
Colorado High School Press Association announces Justin Daigle as the 2009 teacher of the year recipient. Daigle is currently the “Reflections” yearbook advisor at Brighton High School. According to Daigle, “the students are the leaders, a team, a family whose purpose is to provide the most important and relevant information to their peers and the Brighton community.”
“I have been in awe of the work he and his yearbook staff have done each year, said English co-worker, Shelly LaTerra. “It takes a considerable amount of time, dedication, and passion to create a great yearbook.” (Read More)
Legacy Principal Named Administrator of the Year
by Clarissa Crozier - CHSPA Executive Director
Cathy Nolan has been named the 2009 Administrator of the Year. Nolan is principal at Legacy High School.
Nolan, who has spent her entire career in Adams 12 District, has been an administrator since 1986, first at Horizon High School and then she opened Legacy High School in 2000. She was nominated for Administrator of the Year by The Lightning Press newspaper staff at Legacy. (Read More)
Podcasts for the Classroom
by Kelley Bruce Robinson - Newsline editor
There are around 20 million podcasts online, and some of these can be consumed for the betterment of newsroom and personal journalism endeavors.
This new form of broadcasting allows radio or television segments that can be amateur or professionally produced, to be uploaded to iTunes and available for listening on demand for free on a computer or MP3 player.
Once iTunes is downloaded and installed and you are connected to the Internet, click “iTunes Store” in the left column. When the home page of the iTunes Store loads, you can search for the podcast you want to listen to or watch. Need some ideas? Try searching “journalism,” “InDesign” or “writing tips” or check these out: (Read More)
CHSPA Works to Enable Free Expression Across State
By Heather Pitzel- CHSPA vice president
Three school districts received letters this fall from the American Civil Liberties Union on CHSPA’s behalf. They have all responded.
CHSPA found troubling elements in the student publications policies of each of these districts: Jefferson County Public Schools, Douglas County School District and Colorado Springs District #11.
CHSPA’s goal is to have these districts rewrite their student publications policies to bring them in line with Colorado’s Student Freedom of Expression Law. (Read More)
