The Jane Blystone PSPA Student Journalist of the Year Scholarship Award
The Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year competition standards and rubrics align with the Journalism Education Association's Student Journalist of the Year competition. The annual competition is open to senior student journalists and requires the completion of an online portfolio aligned with JEA's curriculum standards. The Pennsylvania scholarship winner moves on to the national JEA SJOY competition. Please visit the JEA SJOY page for information about preparing a portfolio. The state portfolio deadline is generally in early spring and will be announced annually on this page and in our news and social feeds.
Dr. Jane Blystone has been a vital member of PSPA since 1983. She has helped with all aspects of PSPA, including presiding over the association on five separate occasions. She’s also an active member of the Journalism Education Association Certification Commission and the JEA Scholastic Press Rights Commission. The Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year award was named for Dr. Blystone in 2011.
Dr. Jane Blystone has been a vital member of PSPA since 1983. She has helped with all aspects of PSPA, including presiding over the association on five separate occasions. She’s also an active member of the Journalism Education Association Certification Commission and the JEA Scholastic Press Rights Commission. The Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year award was named for Dr. Blystone in 2011.
Scholarship Recipients
Claire Guo, Conestoga High School, 2020 (2020 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist) Portfolio
Avery Maskowlsky, Conestoga High School, 2019 (2019 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist) Portfolio
Ian Ong, Conestoga High School, 2018 (2018 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist) Portfolio
Tommy Pero, Malvern Preparatory School, 2017 (2017 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist)
Justice Bennett, Malvern Preparatory School, 2016 (2016 JEA National Student Journalism Impact Award) Portfolio
Suproteem Sakar, Conestoga High School, 2015
Erin O'Neill, Central York High School, 2014
Jenna Spoont, Conestoga High School, 2013 (JEA National Student Journalist of the Year)
Laura Weiss, Conestoga High School, 2012
Courtney Sabo, Bloomsburg High School, 2011 (2011 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist)
Seth Zweifler, Conestoga High School, 2010 (2009 SPLC Courage in Student Journalism Award)
Henry Rome, Conestoga High School, 2009 (2009 SPLC Courage in Student Journalism Award, National Student Journalist of the Year)
Claire Guo, Conestoga High School, 2020 (2020 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist) Portfolio
Avery Maskowlsky, Conestoga High School, 2019 (2019 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist) Portfolio
Ian Ong, Conestoga High School, 2018 (2018 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist) Portfolio
Tommy Pero, Malvern Preparatory School, 2017 (2017 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist)
Justice Bennett, Malvern Preparatory School, 2016 (2016 JEA National Student Journalism Impact Award) Portfolio
Suproteem Sakar, Conestoga High School, 2015
Erin O'Neill, Central York High School, 2014
Jenna Spoont, Conestoga High School, 2013 (JEA National Student Journalist of the Year)
Laura Weiss, Conestoga High School, 2012
Courtney Sabo, Bloomsburg High School, 2011 (2011 JEA National Student Journalist of the Year Finalist)
Seth Zweifler, Conestoga High School, 2010 (2009 SPLC Courage in Student Journalism Award)
Henry Rome, Conestoga High School, 2009 (2009 SPLC Courage in Student Journalism Award, National Student Journalist of the Year)
PSPA Journalism Teacher of the Year
Does your journalism teacher/adviser go above and beyond the call of duty for journalism at your school? Nominate a journalism teacher/adviser for this award by submitting the applications by April 15, 2021.
Please note that the nomination form requires the candidate's resume, a headshot photo, three letters of recommendation, and three or more items that document the adviser's work in student journalism. Nominators should assemble these materials before beginning the application form.
Please note that the nomination form requires the candidate's resume, a headshot photo, three letters of recommendation, and three or more items that document the adviser's work in student journalism. Nominators should assemble these materials before beginning the application form.
The Clyde F. Lytle Keystone All-State Awards
The Keystone All-State Award was named in 2012 for PSPA’s first president, Clyde F. Lytle, professor at The Keystone Normal School, now known as Kutztown University. One of the buildings on the Kutztown campus is named for Dr. Lytle. He became the first president of PSPA in December of 1925. Besides being remembered for his work in education, he is known for his collection of inspirational verse, Leaves of Gold, which remains in print today.
The path to these annual All-State Awards begins with a critique submission. In addition to receiving feedback from experts, your submitted publication(s) automatically become part of the statewide contest. All publications earning an overall GOLD AWARD will be sent on to a new judge where your publication will compete against other GOLD AWARD publications to determine which GOLD AWARD publications will receive the coveted Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award. Learn more about critique scoring here.
The path to these annual All-State Awards begins with a critique submission. In addition to receiving feedback from experts, your submitted publication(s) automatically become part of the statewide contest. All publications earning an overall GOLD AWARD will be sent on to a new judge where your publication will compete against other GOLD AWARD publications to determine which GOLD AWARD publications will receive the coveted Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award. Learn more about critique scoring here.
PSPA Administrator of the Year Award
This award recognizes Pennsylvania administrators who strives:
- to appoint certified or experienced teachers as advisers of school publications or media programs;
- to encourage new advisers to prepare to become qualified advisers by supporting their attendance at related professional organizations, workshops, or conferences
- to assign a journalism mentor for the teacher/adviser
- to provide resources and finances to encourage high-quality scholastic journalism or media programs. Types of support might include academic credit for journalism classes, appropriate physical facilities, equipment and educational materials, release time for advisers and students to attend workshops and press conferences, funds for membership in scholastic journalism press associations, and fees for their services.
- to support a free student press consistent with the spirit of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Pennsylvania School Code, Section 12.9.
- to provide additional compensation for publication or media advisers comparable to that of other staff members in major co-curricular activities,
- to publicly recognize and promote curriculum courses in journalism and mass media
- to provide recognition for informal instruction
- to provide motivation and recognition for students in a co-curricular capacity.
- to participate in professional local, state and national administrator organizations and remain accessible to students, staff, and adviser(s).
Friend of PA Student Journalism Award
Many Pennsylvanians in various careers support student journalists. Some support them financially; others support them by giving time to student journalism; some share their expertise; and others help student journalists by completing an essential task. Such individuals have earned PSPA Friend of PA Student Journalism Award.
2012: The following Jostens Yearbook professionals: Kelly Morgan, Jim Jackson, Larry Intihar, Bernie Shaughnessy, Fred Reeping, Scott Geesey, Karissa Tumbusch, Al Ramer, Chad Phillips, Bob Hollinger, Bill Straub, and Phil Klein.
Please note that the nomination form requires three letters recommendation, as well as contact information for the nominee and the nominator. Nominators should assemble these materials before beginning the application form.
2012: The following Jostens Yearbook professionals: Kelly Morgan, Jim Jackson, Larry Intihar, Bernie Shaughnessy, Fred Reeping, Scott Geesey, Karissa Tumbusch, Al Ramer, Chad Phillips, Bob Hollinger, Bill Straub, and Phil Klein.
Please note that the nomination form requires three letters recommendation, as well as contact information for the nominee and the nominator. Nominators should assemble these materials before beginning the application form.
The Rachael S. Turner Award for Innovative Excellence
This award, given when appropriate. celebrates occasions when something truly new is added to student journalism. The award is named for Rachael S. Turner, student journalism educator. According to Miss Turner’s obituary, re-published in PSPA’s “The Keystoner” from November 14th, 1975, “The PSPA traces its origin to an idea in the mind of Miss Turner which through her tireless efforts became a reality in December 1925.” The obituary adds that Rachael Turner acted as secretary of PSPA from 1923-1928. PSPA recognized her outstanding student journalism work in 1954, presenting her with a Gold Award.
Past recipients
Longtime Fleetwood Area High School adviser and independent film maker, Sean Gaston earned this award, along with Fleetwood Area High School and the “Misa’s Fugue” Team in 2012. Sean was the conceive, director, and coordinator of the Holocaust documentary film “Misa’s Fugue.” The award-winning film is a brilliant chronicle of the early life of artist Frank “Misa” Grunwald and his persecution by Nazis in World War II and certainly a crucial document for Holocaust literature. At the same time, the film is also one of the most spectacular collaborations by students, teachers, and professionals ever made anywhere in the United States. It redefines “interdisciplinary work” at the high school level.
Longtime Fleetwood Area High School adviser and independent film maker, Sean Gaston earned this award, along with Fleetwood Area High School and the “Misa’s Fugue” Team in 2012. Sean was the conceive, director, and coordinator of the Holocaust documentary film “Misa’s Fugue.” The award-winning film is a brilliant chronicle of the early life of artist Frank “Misa” Grunwald and his persecution by Nazis in World War II and certainly a crucial document for Holocaust literature. At the same time, the film is also one of the most spectacular collaborations by students, teachers, and professionals ever made anywhere in the United States. It redefines “interdisciplinary work” at the high school level.
The Keystone Award
PSPA has given out this award for many years as a way of recognizing special dedication to Pennsylvania student journalism. People who have received this award include:
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