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NEWS

PSPA announces 2021-2022 state journalism champions

5/5/2022

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PENNSYLVANIA (special) – The Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) is proud to announce the following students as state champions in its 2021-2022 Student Journalism Contests: 
Yearbook Caption Writing:
Emma Dela Cruz – Emmaus HS


Yearbook Copy Writing:
Phoebe Troxel – Eastern Lebanon County HS


Yearbook Sports Writing:
Gianna Kraus – Kiski Area HS


Yearbook Spread Design:
Kaylee Ostrowski – Freedom Area HS


Newspaper News Writing:
Shreya Vaidhyanathan – Conestoga HS


Newspaper Feature Writing:
Katherine  Lee – Conestoga HS


Newspaper Sports Writing:
Luke Rainey – Penns Manor Area Jr./Sr. HS


Editorial Cartoon:
Megan Evans – Freedom Area HS


Editorial Writing:
Devon Rocke – Conestoga HS


Literary Magazine Poetry:
Jayden Bonham – MMI Preparatory School


Literary Magazine Art:
Emma Beck – Kiski Area HS


Broadcast Writing:
Carter Huggins – Freedom Area HS


Yearbook Photography:
Jayden Mattis – Kiski Area HS


Newspaper Photography:
Katelyn  Hunsberger – Montoursville Area HS


Broadcast News Package:
Nick Buono & Ethan Grove – Central York HS


Broadcast Feature Package:
Braeden Geibel & Madison Sanders – Freedom Area HS


The Pennsylvania School Press Association originated in 1924 and stands as one of the oldest scholastic journalistic organizations in the country. The group presently is headquartered in Manchester, Pa., and welcomes all to apply for membership. For details, visit www.paschoolpress.org.
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Lucy Bickel is the 2022 PA Student Journalist of the Year!

2/28/2022

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PSPA is proud to announce Lucy Bickel from Eastern Lebanon County High School as the 2022 Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year! See the full announcement below. I'd like to thank all of our competitors — an incredible group of talented and accomplished student journalists — for sharing their incredible work with us and all of the judges and coordinators who took the time to evaluate each of the portfolios. 

The Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year (PJOY) competition standards and rubrics align with the Journalism Education Association's 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 Journalist of the Year competition.

PSPA proudly announces Ms. Lucy Bickel from Eastern Lebanon County High School the 2022 PJOY. Of the three entries that we received, Bickel’s rose to the top, specifically because of her prowess in design.

As shown in her required letters of recommendation, supporters for her said:
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“Lucy is a journalist. She covers important topics fairly and objectively. She goes above and beyond to accurately interview and write about the events of her school." - Jon Bickel - ELCO Yearbook Adviser

"I can count on my hands the number of students who have the ability to make us all feel better about ourselves. Lucy is definitely one of them, and I am proud to know her.” - Jim Jordan - Walsworth Yearbook Consultant

"She puts everything she has into her publication, teaching those around here the skills she has developed through the years." - Stephanie Streicher - Walsworth Senior Graphic Designer

On behalf of PSPA, we couldn’t be more pleased to recognize Ms. Lucy Bickel as our 2022 Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year. We wish her the best of luck as she now proceeds to the National level of competition.
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PSPA announces 2021-2022 state finalists

1/24/2022

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PENNSYLVANIA (special) – The Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) is proud to announce the following students as state finalists in its 2021-2022 Student Journalism Contests: 

Yearbook Caption Writing:
  • Mia Destefano – Altoona Area HS
  • Alec Hartzell – Eastern Lebanon County HS
  • Emma Dela Cruz – Emmaus HS
  • Mikalah Smith – Freedom Area HS
  • Peyton Martin – Kiski Area HS
  • Angela Tucker – Kiski Area HS
  • Rylan Helmer – Lower Dauphin HS
  • Khristian Banks – MMI Preparatory School
  • Charlotte Horetsky – Strath Haven HS
Yearbook Copy Writing:
  • Sydni Cravens – Central York HS
  • Phoebe Troxel – Eastern Lebanon County HS
  • Ogonna Nnodimele – Emmaus HS
  • Rachel Frye – Kiski Area HS
  • Sophia Bills – State College HS
  • Bailey Hansen – Strath Haven HS
Yearbook Sports Writing:
  • Ryan Jones – Blackhawk HS
  • Leah Davies – Central York HS
  • Lucy Bickel – Eastern Lebanon County HS
  • Lauren Riazzi – Emmaus HS
  • Gianna Kraus – Kiski Area HS
  • Alex Hooks – Slippery Rock Area HS
  • Rachel Foster – State College HS
Yearbook Spread Design:
  • Kinsey Boyer – Eastern Lebanon County HS
  • Carsyn Boyer – Eastern Lebanon County HS
  • Kaylee Ostrowski – Freedom Area HS
  • Elisabeth Zimmerman – Northeastern HS
  • Josie Deeter – Saegertown HS
  • Hannah Hart – State College HS
Newspaper News Writing:
  • Jaidyn Palladini – Altoona Area HS
  • Cece Carrero – Central York HS
  • Shreya Vaidhyanathan – Conestoga HS
  • Rylee Dang – Emmaus HS
  • Elizabeth  Kestle  – Fort LeBoeuf HS
  • Alexa Davis – Freedom Area HS
  • Emma McMurray – Montoursville Area HS
  • Alexis Behrens – Southern Lehigh HS
Newspaper Feature Writing:
  • Danielle Bardelang – Altoona Area HS
  • Jayden Burnside – Central York HS
  • Katherine  Lee – Conestoga HS
  • Sydnie Howard – Emmaus HS
  • Trisha  Androla  – Fort LeBoeuf HS
  • Sarah Levenson – Freedom Area HS
  • Kayla LeBeau – Montoursville Area HS
  • Brenna Smith – Montoursville Area HS
Newspaper Sports Writing:
  • Connor George – Altoona Area HS
  • Owen  Hill – Central York HS
  • Reese Wang – Conestoga HS
  • George  Zhang – Conestoga HS
  • Liza Duerholz – Emmaus HS
  • Luke Snavely – Freedom Area HS
  • Ian Labatch – Montoursville Area HS
  • Luke Rainey – Penns Manor Area Jr./Sr. HS
  • Evin Barickman – Saegertown HS
Editorial Cartoon:
  • Catrina  Raich – Avonworth HS
  • Ari Bowman – Emmaus HS
  • Megan Evans – Freedom Area HS
  • Olivia Croney – Kiski Area HS
  • Sydney Libby – Perkiomen Valley HS
  • Paisley Mangold – Saegertown HS
Editorial Writing:
  • Destiny  Montgomery – Altoona Area HS
  • Matthew  Purcell – Avonworth HS
  • Novalea Verno – Central York HS
  • Sophia Pan – Conestoga HS
  • Devon Rocke – Conestoga HS
  • Emmaleigh Donau – McDowell HS
  • Valerie Badger – Montoursville Area HS
  • Evelyn Blower – Southern Lehigh HS
Literary Magazine Poetry:
  • Laurel Purcell – Avonworth HS
  • Megan Zimmerman – Big Spring HS
  • Jenna Coller – Carlisle HS
  • Bek Lopez – Emmaus HS
  • Jordan Glunt – Kiski Area HS
  • Morgan Clouser – Lower Dauphin HS
  • JP – McDowell HS
  • Jayden Bonham – MMI Preparatory School
  • Elisa Edgar – State College HS
  • Ava McKernan – Villa Maria Academy HS
Literary Magazine Art:
  • Emma Beck – Kiski Area HS
  • Jack Coleman – Kiski Area HS
  • Ty  McDermott – MMI Preparatory School
  • Morgan Nash – North Allegheny HS
  • Natalie Slee – Saegertown HS
  • Manon Immerzeel – Southern Lehigh HS
  • Marissa Xu – State College HS
  • Stella Righetti – Villa Maria Academy HS
Broadcast Writing:
  • Umar Samdani – Conestoga HS
  • Carter Huggins – Freedom Area HS
  • Anna Buggy – Penns Manor Area Jr./Sr. HS
  • Royal Miller – Saegertown HS
Yearbook Photography:
  • Olivia Moser – Eastern Lebanon County HS
  • Jessica Majors – Freedom Area HS
  • Faith Boyle – Kiski Area HS
  • Jayden Mattis – Kiski Area HS
  • Casey Perry – Northeastern HS
  • Camden Gjovik – Saegertown HS
  • Adrita Talukder – State College HS
  • Joyce Huang – Strath Haven HS
  • Kai Lincke – Strath Haven HS
Newspaper Photography:
  • Noel Shackelford – Blackhawk HS
  • Ryleigh Underwood – Carlisle HS
  • Jack Konieczny – Kiski Area HS
  • Katelyn  Hunsberger – Montoursville Area HS
  • Jessica Daninhirsch – North Allegheny HS
  • Courtney  Conard – Perkiomen Valley. HS
  • Mason  Kroh – Pine Grove Area HS
  • Luthea Sweeney – Saegertown HS
  • Amelia Dibert – Tussey Mountain HS
Broadcast News Package:
  • Blaze Fogle & Ethan Grove – Central York HS
  • Abby Carella – Conestoga HS
  • Damein Williams – Franklin Learning Center
  • Nicolas Catalde – McDowell HS
  • Grant Barcheck – Uniontown Area HS
Broadcast Feature Package:
  • Braeden Geibel & Madison Sanders – Freedom Area HS
  • Kyla Kramer – McDowell HS
  • Meghan Longo – McDowell HS

The Pennsylvania School Press Association originated in 1924 and stands as one of the oldest scholastic journalistic organizations in the country. The group presently is headquartered in Manchester, Pa., and welcomes all to apply for membership. For details, visit www.paschoolpress.org.
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State Qualifiers to be announced soon!

1/15/2022

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Fall Regional Updates

9/30/2021

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Hello, everyone.

PSPA is excited to bring you the 2021 Fall Regional Student Journalism Competitions!

The contests will be held virtually, with students competing according to geographic region. Winners in each competition category will advance to the state finals from their respective regions to compete against other regional winners from around the state. See the map below to determine your region for competition (based on the county in which your school is located).

The attached promotional flyer is complete with important dates, an adviser to-do list to prepare for the contests, important changes to our contests this year, and detailed competition categories.

I sent out an email to all advisors with rubrics and yearbook design paper as well.

Make sure that your videographers are looking through their creations and/or planning ahead for categories 15BN and 15BF. Also, make sure that your photographers are looking for their best five photos that fit the following categories: framing shot, emotion shot, unique angle shot, frozen action shot, and best-in-show shot. They will have to create captions/cutlines for each. All other categories will compete during the allotted three-day window, as explained on the flyer.

As of now, Finals will be held on the Penn State University main campus in State College on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. We'll continue to monitor the public health and travel situations and be in touch as the school year unfolds with updates surrounding Finals.

If you know of any schools with journalism programs in your region who have not yet connected with us, please feel free to share my email with them. We've waived membership dues again this year, making it a great, free opportunity for them to showcase their students' skills at the regional level for a chance to compete for a state championship, not to mention network with so many incredible advisers.

Thank you for all you do! If you have any questions in the meantime, or if PSPA can support you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best,
Aaron
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PSPA Student Journalism Contest Update

9/22/2021

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Advisers,

Based on the feedback we received as part of the survey many of you completed over the past week regarding approval for staff/student travel for our 2021 Fall Regional Student Journalism Competitions (SJC), the PSPA board held an emergency vote to determine how to facilitate the contests.

The PSPA board voted to hold all of our Fall Regional SJCs virtually. While it was a decision we had all hoped we wouldn't have to make, based on your feedback, it was clear that many of you would not be able to attend in-person this fall, and we wanted to ensure both the equity and convenience of all contests and interested competitors.

As of now, PSPA Finals are still scheduled in-person for Wednesday, March 30, at Penn State University's main campus. Obviously, there's nothing we want more than to be able to gather and celebrate our students and the best of student journalism in PA; however, we'll continue to monitor the situation and be in touch as the school year unfolds.

We'll be in touch in the near future with more information on our now-virtual contests. In the meantime, I wanted to reach out as soon as possible so you could plan accordingly.

Stay safe, and let me know if you have any additional questions.

Best,
Aaron

PSPA President

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Journalism Teacher of the Year

8/23/2021

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Dr. Stacey Aronow, Souderton Area High School newspaper adviser, has been named the 2021-2022 Pennsylvania School Press Association state Journalism Teacher of the Year.

Aronow has been the adviser to the Souderton Arrowhead newspaper since 1998 and served on the Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) board from 2007-2010. During that time, she also serve several years as PSPA secretary.

Her students publish a 36 page newspaper six times a year that serves not only the school community but the wider community through The Arrowhead Online. The Arrowhead has earned many awards from PSPA, Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) and National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) during her tenure. She has served as a conference speaker for PSPA, CSPA and NSPA over her time at Souderton.

Her colleague and nominator, Joanne Jiruska, shared that “The Arrowhead covers both school and community events, striving to provide a service that extends beyond the walls of our school. Under Stacey’s tutelage, The Arrowhead program has doubled in size in the last four years and currently boasts 85 students across all grade and ability levels.”
“The program is self-funded through student-generated advertising and is run like a business, providing students with a truly authentic experience. Every student has the opportunity to be published, and Stacey counsels each one on writing with integrity and ethics. Highly motivated students have the opportunity to interview for Editorial Board positions. The Arrowhead staff is an integral part of our school community, professionally covering events both joyous and tragic; whenever something noteworthy is happening, The Arrowhead is there,” said Jiuska.
Her principal, Samuel Varano, EdD, indicated that Aronow has been a district leader in and has made a lasting impact on many students, not just those on her staff. “Dr. Aronow’s influence goes far beyond the production of an award-winning newspaper.” Her influence extends to the wider school population. “Dr. Aronow was the teacher who had the greatest impact upon them in their school career,” said Varano.
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Student Journalism Competitions - State Champions

4/28/2021

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Congratulations to all the winners!
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Information for Members

2/17/2021

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2020-2021 SJCs Update
Many, many thanks to our advisers for helping us make the Student Journalism Contests happen this year. We certainly could not have done it without you.

  • We have finally secured 16 judges, one for each category in the contests. Every judge holds adjudicating certification from JEA, so we’re excited to have so many brilliantly qualified experts on board.
  • About 150 students from 25 schools across the state competed. As we had 27 schools with students slated to compete in last year’s Finals, I’m very happy with the numbers.
  • Judges do not have to return the entries until April 1. We will tally everything up and release the results sometime in late April or early May.All purchase orders for the contest fees went out this morning. Check your email.

2021-2022 Membership Fee
The board will soon be discussing the possibility of waiving the membership fee for the 2021-2022 year. The board understands times are tough and want to be able to pass along some good news.

Photo Opportunity Through PNA, Penn State, and PSPA
We all know that the pandemic has made it difficult for student journalists to do their work, so wouldn’t it be nice to have a forum to give your students some recognition?
Advisers are being asked to submit photos of their staff at work, along with a few sentences of reflection about what it's been like to continue with their newspaper or yearbook during the pandemic. The photos may be taken by students or the adviser. The reflections should be by the students.
The PNA website is scheduled to launch on March 14. More information about how to upload your photos will be announced soon. Photos should be submitted by March 10.
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Great Opportunities

2/17/2021

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Point Park Opportunities
The Center for Media Innovation and School of Communication at Point Park University wants to invite you to a series of practical, interactive video programs for high school students. With topics based on feedback from teachers, these weekly 40-minute Zoom sessions will each be hosted live by a Point Park faculty member and include a hands-on activity for students! The best part: They are completely free! Sessions and dates are as follows:
  • 2/17: Telling stories about the community outside of campus
  • 2/24: How to cover sports remotely during COVID
  • 3/3: How to get photos and content for the yearbook during COVID
  • 3/10: Workshop for video production students
  • 3/17: Podcasting from your closet: The basics for getting started with a smartphone
  • 3/24: Publishing a school newspaper without paper: Digital publishing
  • 3/31: Social media branding for yearbook and student media
If interested, email Point Park Center for Media Innovation (cmi@pointpark.edu), and let them know...
  • which sessions/dates interest you
  • which time(s) work for you/your staff
  • how many students you expect to attend

Scholarship Opportunity
Trib Total Media is proud to announce the Scholarship for Diversity in Media. This scholarship is designed to award exceptionally talented Journalism, Communication, or English Writing students who are culturally, ethnically or racially diverse.
Through this scholarship, promising young journalists from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to pursue a career in journalism and bring diversity to local media.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

For more information, please visit:
https://tribtotalmedia.com/scholarship-for-diversity-in-media/
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ABOUT PSPA
The mission of the Pennsylvania School Press Association is to promote excellence and responsibility in scholastic journalism through developing students who possess sound journalism skills, demonstrate ethical decision making and recognize, uphold, and advocate First Amendment rights through responsible citizenship and informed media consumption.
CONTACT US
​Questions? Can't find something on our site? Contact us!

Aaron Fitzpatrick - PSPA President

afitzpatrick@freedomarea.org

PSPA Mailing Address
P.O. Box 385
​Manchester, PA 17345
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