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NEWS

EMMAUS HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER DENISE REAMAN RECOGNIZED AS 2020 PENNSYLVANIA JOURNALISM TEACHER OF THE YEAR

3/17/2020

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Pennsylvania School Press Association has chosen Denise Reaman of Emmaus High School as the 2020 state Journalism Teacher of the Year. 

Reaman advises The Stinger student newspaper, where she teaches four levels of journalism as well as ninth-grade English. Since 2009, she has coached a staff of more than 30 editors and writers involved with this award-winning print and online publication. 

Reaman’s students regularly attend PSPA regional events and National High School Journalism Conventions (NHSJC). At the fall 2019 NHSJC, Stinger staff members ranked among the top 10 in the nation for story of the year, feature writing, and editorial cartooning.

Reaman is recognized as a Certified Journalism Educator by the Journalism Education Association. She previously taught and advised journalism at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, PA. 

Prior to her teaching career, she worked as a news and feature reporter for The Morning Call newspaper in Allentown, PA. Her background as a professional journalist affords her the opportunity to share experiences with sound news judgment and reporting in the classroom for best practices.

“Ms. Reaman has inspired me and a number of other students to pursue careers in journalism,” former Stinger editor-in-chief Andrea Klick wrote. “Her immense guidance over the years and commitment to The Stinger has helped me grow as a person and find my passion for journalism.”
Reaman’s own passion for her subject area inspires her colleagues at Emmaus High School. 

“Rarely have I seen an educator so dedicated to the success of her students,” wrote English department chair Diane DiDona. “Generous with her time and expertise, she provides a platform for students to excel and supports them as they learn and grow. She is a person who makes a difference in students’ lives, day after day, year after year, and long after students have departed from Emmaus High School.

For many of Reaman’s students, her excellence in teaching extends beyond the English and journalism curriculum, inspiring them to greater courage and confidence.

“The journalism classroom, room 559, was an outlet for creativity; a place to be oneself — and I quickly acclimated to its loving environment,” former Stinger editor-in-chief Rachel McQuiston wrote. “Because of Ms. Reaman’s drive and motivation, we all felt inspired to produce our best work every time. I feel blessed to have learned from such a strong, confident leader.”

Pennsylvania School Press Association originated in 1925 and stands as one of the oldest scholastic journalistic organizations in the country. The organization supports K-12 student journalism statewide through journalism competitions, summer critiques, awards and recognition, mentorship for advisers, and other resources.
​

To nominate advisers for the 2020-2021 PSPA Journalism Teacher of the Year, visit the PSPA website to submit applications for any active member of the organization by July 31, 2020. Nominations can be submitted by any teacher, administrator, student, or media professional. 

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For more information about Pennsylvania School Press Association, visit www.paschoolpress.org or contact Paul Fantaski at pfantaski@gmail.com.
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New Voices legislation in Pennsylvania makes progress, needs your support

1/20/2020

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In January 2019, Sen. Andy Dinniman (D, 19th District) agreed to draft and sponsor what has since become Senate Bill 806, the “Free School Media Act,” making Pennsylvania one of 10 states with pending New Voices legislation.  Fourteen states have already passed similar legislation,  protecting the rights of student journalists and their advisers. 

The bill is currently being discussed in the Senate Education Committee, on which Dinniman serves as Minority Chair. In January 2020, Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D, Chester/Montgomery) has agreed in principle to draft and sponsor New Voices legislation in the House of Representatives.

For the bill to become law, it must be taken up by and make it out of committees and pass floor votes in both houses of Congress before it would be sent to the governor’s desk.

PSPA has endorsed this bill, and we are excited to see its progress. Although progress is being made, we need your help, student journalists and advisers!

A few ways to help:
  • Contact your legislators in the House and Senate, and ask for their support for New Voices. Not comfortable writing your own letter or pressed for time? No worries. We’ve got your back!
    • Simply make a copy of THIS FORM LETTER 
    • Edit the highlighted text with your specific information. Click HERE to find your legislators.
  • Legislators love to hear from engaged students! Encourage your students to write and send similar letters.
  • Share THIS LETTER with your students—written by Pennsylvania students for Pennsylvania students seeking New Voices support.
  • Connect with us on social media!
    • Twitter: @PaVoices 
    • Instagram: @newvoicespa
  • Visit us online: www.newvoicespa.com
  • Join us and learn other ways to get involved with Pennsylvania’s New Voices movement! Email us at panewvoices@gmail.com.
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Get ready for 2020 SJC Finals at Penn State University!

1/18/2020

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PSPA looks forward to welcoming 125+ regional qualifiers and their advisers to Penn State University on March 25, 2020 for this year's state Student Journalism Competition finals.

The information below is designed to help you prepare for the day. All contest rubrics and the specific schedule that details this year's presenters will be released no later than March 1.


DOWNLOAD THIS INFORMATION FOR PRINTING

Read More
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Student Journalism Competition 2019 Champions Announced

3/27/2019

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Many more photos to come!
Pennsylvania School Press Association's 2019 Student Journalism Competition Finals took place on Wednesday, March 27 at Penn State University's main campus.

Students who previously qualified at regional events participated in a press conference about operations at the Penn State Creamery with Professor and Food Service Department Head Dr. Robert Roberts and Creamery Director of Sales and Marketing Mr. James Brown. Students then competed in writing, design, photography, and video categories based on the themes of the conference. 

The afternoon featured a panel on progress towards New Voices legislation in Pennsylvania with Penn State Bellisario School of Communications Professor Cindy Simmons, Student Press Law Center Director of Engagement Diana Mitsu-Klos, Freedom Area High School journalism adviser Aaron Fitzpatrick, Conestoga High School adviser Cyndi Hyatt, and student journalists from the staffs of the FHS Press and the Conestoga Spoke— Claudia Huggins, Cole Skuse, Justin Huang, Avery Maslowsky, and Audrey Kim

​
Congratulations to the following students for winning their categories at the 2019 Student Journalism Competitions. Results in the photography and video categories will be announced after the submission date.
1Y | Yearbook Caption Writing | Jeff Hudak | Northeastern HS
2Y | Yearbook Copywriting | Cole Skuse | Freedom Area HS
3Y | Yearbook Sports | Celia Chickerella | Kiski Area HS
4Y  | Yearbook Spread Design | Abby Tabachini | Northeastern HS
5N | News Story Writing | Claudia Huggins | Freedom Area HS
6N | News Feature Writing | Maddi Collins | Bellefonte Area HS
7N | Newspaper Sports Writing | Jake Wiener | Parkland HS
8E | Editorial Cartoon | Kaylee Ruiz | Emmaus HS
9E | Editorial Writing | Ronald Rohlsen | Emmaus HS
10L | Literary Magazine Poetry | Peyton Dempsey | North Allegheny HS
11L | Literary Magazine Artwork | Kierra Shreffler | Kiski Area HS
12B | Broadcast News Writing | Tory Abbott | Bellefonte Area HS
——-
13YP | Yearbook Photography | Regan Gross | Northeastern HS
14NP | News Photography | Isabelle Southard | McDowell HS
15V | Broadcast News Video | TBA

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PSPA is grateful to our hosts at Penn State University for the organizational and on-site support, especially to Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications Dean Marie Hardin, Assistant Dean Jamey Perry, Assistant Teaching Professor John Beale, and Manager of Recruitment Emily Clevenger. 
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PSPA announces summer critique rankings for newspapers

11/4/2018

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Once again, PSPA offered summer critiques to print newspapers in 2018. Participants were scored on essential content, photography, design, coverage, writing, and editing. All participating publications received a detailed critique from judges with commendations and suggested areas for improvement.

Congratulations to the following publications for their 2018 rankings:

GOLD
The Arrowhead, Souderton High School, Souderton
The Friar’s Lantern, Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern
The Index, The Haverford School, Haverford
The Spoke, Conestoga High School, Berwyn
The Spotlight, Southern Lehigh High School, Center Valley
The Voice, Perkiomen Valley High School, Collegeville

SILVER
The Arrowhead, Montoursville Area High School, Montoursville
The Brown and White, Catasauqua High School, Catasauqua
The Falcon Flash, Lower Dauphin High School, Hummelstown
The Panther Press, Saegertown High School, Saegertown
The Purple Press, Phoenixville Area High School, Phoenixville
The Stinger, Emmaus High School, Emmaus

BRONZE
The Avonews, Avonworth High School, Pittsburgh
The Avenger, Palmerton Area High School, Palmerton

PSPA critiques are completed by experts from across the country. Member publications interested in receiving a critique must submit a completed form along with the publication submission. ​

In addition to receiving feedback from experts, submitted publications automatically become part of a statewide contest. In the first level of scoring, publications receive a scorebook with a bronze mark, silver mark, or gold mark. All publications earning an overall gold will be sent on to a new judge where publications compete against other gold award publications to determine which publications will receive the coveted annual Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award.

Learn more about how to submit your publication for a critique here.

​
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Fall NHSJC results announced

11/4/2018

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Several Pennsylvania publications were recognized at the annual fall National High School Journalism Convention in Chicago, IL, Nov. 1-4. Congratulations to participants listed below, and to all of our student journalists and advisers who participated in the national convention. 

NSPA Pacemaker, Individual Awards, Best in Show

[Full list of results]

Newspaper Pacemaker Finalist
The Spoke, Conestoga High School

4th Place, Best in Show — Newspaper Broadsheet
The Spoke, Conestoga High School

5th Place, Social Media Promotion
The Friar's Lantern, Malvern Preparatory School

Honorable Mention, Newspaper Front Page Design
Chase Bennett, Malvern Preparatory School


Write-Off Results

[Full list of results]

Superior, Review Writing
Rylan Bassett, Emmaus HS

Superior, Broadcast Anchor
Avery Maslowsky, Conestoga HS

Excellent, Photography Portfolio
Arianna Werner, Emmaus HS

Honorable Mention, Newswriting
Maddie Lamonica, Conestoga HS
Tabitha Nowack, Emmaus HS

Honorable Mention, Editorial Writing
Brooke Deasy, Conestoga HS
Erica Love, Emmaus HS

Honorable Mention, Feature Writing
Clare Guo, Conestoga HS

Honorable Mention, Feature Photography
Olivia Thompson, Conestoga HS

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PSPA Members receive CSPA Gold Circle Awards, Crown Finalist recognition

10/23/2018

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Student journalists from PSPA member publications at Conestoga High School, The Haverford School, Kiski Area High School, and State College Area High School were recently recognized as winners in Columbia Scholastic Press Association's 35th Gold Circle Awards program.

According to CSPA's website, these categories attracted 4,979 yearbook and digital media entries and 6514 print news and magazines. Judges cited a total of 655 winners for yearbook and digital media and 720 for print newspaper and magazine for either first, second, or third place, or for merit certificates.

MAGAZINES

Merit Certificate, Essays
Michael Schlarbaum, “Father and Son,” Pegasus, The Haverford School, Haverford, PA.

Merit Certificate, Non-Fiction Article
Mark Gregory, “Silenced by America,” Pegasus, The Haverford School, Haverford, PA

Merit Certificate, Photography Portfolio of Work
Intel Chen, Pegasus, The Haverford School, Haverford, PA

NEWSPAPERS

Third Place, General Feature
Claire Guo , “Conestoga Parent Treks to Medical Frontier, Wins International Competition,” The Spoke, Conestoga High School, Berwyn, PA

Merit Certificate, News Writing
Betty Ben Dor and Audrey Kim, “Contract Standstill: Board and Teachers Enter Fact-Finding,” The Spoke, Conestoga High School, Berwyn, PA

Merit Certificate, Editorial Writing
Staff, “The Walkout That Wasn't,” The Spoke, Conestoga High School, Berwyn, PA

Merit Certificate, First Person Experience
Dan Malloy, “Too Hot to Handle,” The Friar's Lantern, Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA

Merit Certificate, Sports News
Sam Turner, “Brady's Boys Prepare to Take on EA,” The Index, The Haverford School, Haverford, PA

YEARBOOKS

Third Place, Photo Portfolio
Hallie Zidek, Campus, Kiski Area High School, Leechburg, PA

Merit Certificate, Feature Writing: Student Life
Sierra Hockenbury and Grace Roeshot, “Women March for Change,” Little Lion, State College Area High School, State College, PA

Merit Certificate, Sports Reporting
Kylie George, “Stretch It Out,” Campus, Kiski Area High School, Leechburg, PA

Merit Certificate, Sports Feature Writing
Taylor Craver, “Band of Brothers,” Campus, Kiski Area High School, Leechburg, PA

Merit Certificate, Alternative Story Form
Caycee Ohi, “Social Media,” Little Lion, State College Area High School, State College, PA

Merit Certificate, Cover Design
Hanna Yu, Little Lion, State College Area High School, State College, PA

Merit Certificate, Photo Portfolio
Olivia Shirley, Campus, Kiski Area High School, Leechburg, PA

Merit Certificate, Index
Hannah Oleynik and Hanna Yu, Little Lion, State College Area High School, State College, PA

Merit Certificate, Organization or Greeks Spread, One Spread
Angela Koontz and Hallie Zidek, “Our Water Color World,” Campus, Kiski Area High School, Leechburg, PA

DIGITAL MEDIA

First Place, News Feature
Dan Malloy, “Science Department Shifts to Integrated Learning,” The Friar’s Lantern, Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA

First Place, Personal Opinion, Off-Campus Issues
Tommy Pero, “Elections are Like a Fourth Grade Band,” The Friar’s Lantern, Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA

Merit Certificate, Informational Graphics
Staff, “FreshSurvey 2017,” The Friar’s Lantern, Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA
CSPA 2018 Gold Circle Awards, Complete List

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Several PSPA member publications were recently recognized as News Crown Finalists in Columbia Scholastic Press Association's 2019 Crown Awards.

According to CSPA's website, the Crown Awards honor top student publications chosen from CSPA’s members. During Crown consideration, publications are judged on excellence as evidenced by design, photography, concept, coverage and writing. A total of 1,172 publications were eligible for judging; 34 print newspapers and 60 hybrid newspapers were chosen as Finalists.

These entries were produced during the 2017-2018 academic year. Publications will be awarded Gold or Silver Crown Awards at CSPA's spring convention awards ceremony in March 2019.

HYBRID NEWS

The Friar's Lantern
Malvern Preparatory School, Malvern, PA

PRINT NEWS

The Arrowhead

Souderton Area High School, Souderton, PA

The Spoke
Conestoga High School, Berwyn, PA
CSPA 2019 Crown Awards, Complete List
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2018 SJC Results from Indiana University of Pennsylvania announced

10/21/2018

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Credit: P. Fantaski
For local high school journalists, the quest to become a State Champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened up its Fifth Annual State Journalism Contests. On October 19, 24 students from southwest Pennsylvania traveled to Indiana University in the hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main Campus on March 27, 2019.

​PSPA President Paul Fantaski expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event.


“It just amazes me how institutions like IUP and the Indiana Gazette truly advocate and super-support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. On behalf of PSPA, I simply must thank Hastie Kinter and Eric Eberling from the Indiana Gazette, as well as Stan Mukasa and Michele Papakie from Indiana University of Pennsylvania for their willingness to host a SJC Regional on October 19. Most importantly, 12 student journalists from outstanding southwestern PA schools will advance to the State Championships.”

Contests involved literary design, photography, copywriting, sports-writing, editorial cartoon, broadcast media, and poetry talents. Only the top-scoring competitor in each Regional contest category qualified to attend the State Finals.

PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2018-19 State Finalists:
  • Cassie Shoupe - Yearbook Caption Writing - Kiski Area HS
  • Celia Chickerella - Yearbook Sports Writing - Kiski Area HS
  • Kelly Hollinger - Yearbook Spread Design - Kiski Area HS
  • Emily McWilliams - Yearbook Spread Design - Kiski Area HS
  • Debra Spaid - Newspaper News Writing - Purchase Line Area HS
  • Hannah Steele - Newspaper Feature Story - Indiana Area HS
  • Brice Hockoluck - Editorial Cartoon - Kiski Area HS
  • India Krug - Editorial Writing - Indiana Area HS
  • Heath Boylstein - Literary Magazine Poetry - Kiski Area HS
  • Kierra Schreffler - Literary Magazine Stand-Alone Artwork - Kiski Area HS
  • Libby Scutt - Yearbook Photography - Kiski Area HS
  • Martina Webb - Yearbook Photography - Kiski Area HS
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PSPA congratulates Rick Brooks, 2018 NSPA Pioneer Award Recipient

9/19/2018

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Congratulations to PSPA Board Member and Jostens rockstar Rick Brooks who was announced  as one of the five 2018 National Scholastic Press Association Pioneer Award Winners!

Rick was nominated by longtime Pennsylvania adviser Kathleen Zwiebel, who noted that Brooks mentors because he enjoys helping students succeed.

“On our state level, Rick has spoken at conventions, served as a judge and helped to develop the Pennsylvania School Press Association yearbook contest guidelines," Zwiebel wrote. "He has been an active participant that PSPA elected him as a member of the executive board. This is a tribute to his talent and to the fact that Rick is interested in helping all scholastic journalists, not just those at schools affiliated with his company.”

​Rick will be recognized at the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association Advisers Awards Luncheon at the fall convention in Chicago.

Read more and meet the other recipients in the NSPA Press Release.
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PSPA announces summer critique rankings for websites

9/13/2018

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For the first time, PSPA offered summer critiques to online news publications in 2018. Participants were scored on content/coverage, breaking news, writing, design/navigation, interactivity, and rich media. All participating publications received a detailed critique from judges with commendations and suggested areas for improvement.

Congratulations to the following publications for their 2018 rankings: 

GOLD
The Friar's Lantern, Malvern Preparatory School

SILVER
Tidelines, Pottsville Area High School
The Panther Press, Saegertown Junior-Senior High School
The Lions DIgest, State College Area High School

PSPA critiques are completed by experts from across the country. Member publications interested in receiving a critique must submit a completed form along with the publication submission. ​

In addition to receiving feedback from experts, submitted publications automatically become part of a statewide contest. In the first level of scoring, publications receive a scorebook with a bronze mark, silver mark, or gold mark. All publications earning an overall gold will be sent on to a new judge where publications compete against other gold award publications to determine which publications will receive the coveted annual Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award.

Learn more about how to submit your publication for a critique here.
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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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