Pennsylvania School Press Association

  • Home
  • News
  • Membership
    • Member Schools
    • Newsroom Network
  • Awards
    • Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year
    • Journalism Teacher of the Year
    • Clyde F. Lytle All-State Award
    • Administrator of the Year
    • PSPA Friend of Student Journalism
    • The Keystone Award
  • Compete
  • Critiques
  • Contact Us
  • MERCH
  • Home
  • News
  • Membership
    • Member Schools
    • Newsroom Network
  • Awards
    • Pennsylvania Student Journalist of the Year
    • Journalism Teacher of the Year
    • Clyde F. Lytle All-State Award
    • Administrator of the Year
    • PSPA Friend of Student Journalism
    • The Keystone Award
  • Compete
  • Critiques
  • Contact Us
  • MERCH

News

2018 SJC Results from Indiana University of Pennsylvania announced

10/21/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture
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
2 Comments

Freedom Area High School Teacher Aaron Fitzpatrick recognized as Pennsylvania Journalism Teacher of the Year

9/4/2018

2 Comments

 
PictureAaron Fitzpatrick
Pennsylvania School Press Association has chosen Aaron Fitzpatrick of Freedom Area Senior High School as the 2018-2019 state Journalism Teacher of the Year.

Fitzpatrick advises the FHS Press student newspaper, the Shawnee yearbook, and the Bulldog Beat broadcast program. Both the FHS Press and Shawnee have earned numerous regional, state and national awards. He is a nationally Certified Journalism Educator through the Journalism Education Association. He is also certified as a Google Certified Educator.

Fitzpatrick was chosen as a fellow, through a rigorous selection process, to attend the ASNE Reynolds High School Journalism Institute at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Az, in June 2013.

Kayla Eaton, FAHS '18, who served as Editor-in-Chief of the Shawnee Yearbook and FHS Press, said, "I can attest to the incalculable value of what he has taught each of his students. These valuable lessons have caused not only our publications to thrive, but also each of us in our everyday lives. Mr. Fitzpatrick’s level of understanding, engagement, knowledge, and passion is what makes him not only one of the best teachers I have ever had, but is what contributes to the overall quality of our publications.”

“Students in his class are always at major school functions reporting on the events of the district,” Freedom Area High School social studies teacher Nathaniel Langelli stated in his recommendation. “At school board meetings, members of the staff cover the meeting to ensure transparency. Not only do they report on these various activities, but they do so without complaints. They take journalism seriously.”

“Mr. Fitzpatrick instills a passion and a desire for quality and constant improvement in each of the student journalists he advises. They share a collective desire to never rest until their absolute best has been achieved,” principal William Deal stated. “His commitment to the highest standards inspires students to reach beyond their self-imposed limits to achieve at levels they could not imagine were possible on their own. He has taught them the value of teamwork, collaboration and perseverance.”

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Fitzpatrick also serves his school district as their public relations director, senior class sponsor, and as a building representative for the Freedom Area Education Association. His expertise as an educator has also earned him The Golden Apple Award through the Prevention Network & Class Academy, in Baden, Pa.

In January 2018, Fitzpatrick was invited to serve on the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania School Press Association. 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 2019 PSPA Journalism Teacher of the Year, visit the PSPA website to submit applications for any active member of the organization by June 15, 2019. Nominations can be submitted by any teacher, administrator, student, or media professional.

###
​

For more information about Pennsylvania School Press Association, visit www.paschoolpress.org or contact Paul Fantaski at [email protected].

2 Comments

Summer 2017 Publication Critique Results Announced

11/26/2017

2 Comments

 
Pennsylvania School Press Association has announced full results of the summer 2017 publication critiques.

A publication critique is an evaluation of a publication's quality based upon a rubric. PSPA invites experts from across the country to complete critiques for member schools each summer, and advisers receive detailed notes and ratings based on the critique rubric. Member schools submit yearbook, literary magazine, and newspaper publications for critique consideration by June 30 each year.

In addition to receiving feedback from experts, submitted publications automatically become part of a statewide contest. All publications earning an overall gold award are sent on to a new judge. PSPA awards the Clyde F. Lytle All-State Keystone Award to one publication in each gold category annually. The results of the Keystone Awards will be announced at the spring Student Journalism Competition at Penn State University on Tuesday, March 27.

Congratulations to the following publications for their 2017 critique rankings.

YEARBOOK

GOLDS:  
  • Pottsville Area High School (Hi-S Potts)       
  • North Allegheny Senior High School (Safari)
  • Northeastern High School (Daedalus)
  • Eastern Lebanon County High School (Sigma)
  • Fleetwood Area High School (Tiger Tale)

SILVER:
  • Kiski Area High School (Campus)
  • Conestoga Valley High School (Pioneer)
  • Kiski Area Intermediate School (Transition)
  • Milton Hershey School (Acropolis)
  • Owen J. Roberts High School(Ledger)
  • Central York High School (Panther)
  • Malvern Preparatory School (Malvernian)
  • Big Spring High School (Waterwheel)

LITERARY MAGAZINE

GOLDS:     
  • Penncrest HS (Gryphon)
  • Merion Mercy Academy (Image Explosion)
  • Emmaus High School (Collage)
  • North Allegheny High School (Variations)
    
SILVER:    
  • Fleetwood Area High School (Artifact)
  • MMI Prep (Angst)
    
BRONZE:    
  • Bensalem High School (Creativity on Paper)
  • Gettysburg High School (Interrobang)

NEWSPAPER

GOLDS:         
  • Conestoga High School (The Spoke)
  • Emmaus High School (The Stinger)
  • Phoenixville Area High School (The Purple Press)
  • Souderton Area High School (The Arrowhead)
  • Pottsville Area High School (The Castle)
  • Southern Lehigh High School (Spotlight)
  • Malvern Preparatory School (The Friar’s Lantern)

SILVER:
  • Catasauqua High School (The Brown and White)
  • Pleasant Valley High School (Bear Facts)
  • Montoursville Area High School (The Arrowhead)
  • Avonworth High School (Avonews)
  • Palmerton Area High School (Avenger)






2 Comments

Kate Plows Recognized as PSPA Journalism Teacher of the Year

8/18/2017

1 Comment

 
Picture
The Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) honors Kate Plows as the 2017 Pennsylvania Journalism Teacher of the Year. Plows, art and journalism teacher and adviser of The Blackfriar Chronicle, and the digital publication, The Friar’s Lantern at Malvern Preparatory School in Malvern, Pa., will receive the PSPA Journalism Teacher of the Year Award at the Spring PSPA Conference held at Pennsylvania State University at University Park in March of 2018.

Plows, who finished her fifth year of advising this spring, built a nationally recognized journalism program in just three years. Student editors of The Blackfriar Chronicle were named PA Student Journalists of the Year in 2016 and 2017, with national recognition from the Journalism Education Association (JEA) for the Student Journalism Impact Award in 2016. The staff has won numerous state and national individual honors, while the publication was awarded the prestigious 2017 Silver Crown Award by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association of Columbia University.


Read More
1 Comment

JEA HONORS LISTER WITH ASPIRING YOUNG JOURNALIST AWARD

7/23/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Journalism Education Association has named Joseph Lister of West Chester, Pennsylvania, the 2017 Aspiring Young Journalist Award honoree. JEA presents this award to junior high/middle school students to acknowledge and reward their work, and to encourage them to continue their journalistic studies in high school.

Bryn Valdez of Parker, Colorado, was selected as runner-up.
​
Joseph served as a reporter for The Blackfriar Chronicle newspaper at Malvern (Pennsylvania) Preparatory School for all three years of middle school. While this publication served the high school grade levels of his school, he was the only middle school student who kept showing up for staff meetings, eager to take on reporting assignments.

 READ MORE AT JEA.ORG 
​


0 Comments

Video Highlights from the State Championships 

3/29/2017

0 Comments

 

PSPA 2017 from psucommedia on Vimeo.

Video created by Will Yurman, Senior Lecturer, PSU College of Communications.
0 Comments

PSPA State Photo Journalism Finalist Highlights

3/13/2017

0 Comments

 
The highlights below represent work completed by just some of the students who have qualified for the PSPA State Finals.
0 Comments

PRESS RELEASE: Penn State University Altoona SJC Results

12/6/2016

0 Comments

 
PSPA State Journalism Contest Finalists Named

PENNSYLVANIA (special) – For local high school journalists, the quest to become a State Champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened up its Third Annual State Journalism Contests. On November 11, over 50 students from central Pennsylvania traveled to PSU Altoona in the hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 29, 2017. PSPA President Paul Fantaski expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event.

“It just amazes me how colleges like PSU Altoona truly advocate and super-support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. On behalf of PSPA, I simply must thank Dr. Robert C. Trumpbour and all of Penn State Altoona for their willingness to host a SJC Regional this fall. Most importantly, 14 student journalists from outstanding central 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 2016-17 State Finalists:

  • Katie Ache - Yearbook Caption Writing - State College HS
  • Hannah Oleynik - Yearbook Copywriting - State College HS
  • Hunter Horton - Yearbook Sports Writing - Tussey Mt. HS
  • Hanna Yu - Yearbook Spread Design - State College HS
  • Ben Kutay - Newspaper News Story - Montoursville Area HS
  • Maddi Collins - Newspaper Feature Story - Bellefonte Area HS
  • Joey Morrison - Newspaper Sports Story - Bellefonte Area HS
  • Abby English - Editorial Writing - State College HS
  • Wylyn McCullough - Literary Mag. Poetry - Bellefonte Area HS
  • Eddie Fitzgerald - Broadcast Writing - Bellefonte Area HS
  • Lydia Dick - YB Feature Photos - Tussey Mt. HS
  • Keally Haushalter - YB Sports Photos - State College HS
  • Auden Yurman - Newspaper Feature Photos - State College HS
  • Addie Orndorff - Broadcast Feature Package - State College HS

The Pennsylvania School Press Association originated in 1925 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.

0 Comments

PRESS RELEASE: Harrisburg Area Community College SJC Results

12/6/2016

0 Comments

 
PSPA State Journalism Contest Finalists Named

PENNSYLVANIA (special) – For local high school journalists, the quest to become a State Champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened up its Third Annual State Journalism Contests. On October 11, nearly 40 students from central Pennsylvania traveled to Harrisburg Area Community College in the hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 29, 2017. PSPA President Paul Fantaski expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event.

“It just amazes me how colleges like Harrisburg Area Community truly advocate and super-support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. I’d like to offer a heartfelt thanks to GIANT, Weis Markets, and Brown's Orchards & Farm Market for donating tasty breakfast items for all who attended. Additionally, thanks to Jostens, Herff Jones, York Daily Record, Fox 43, and ABC27 News for aiding in the education of our competitors. Most importantly, 12 student journalists from outstanding central 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 2016-17 State Finalists:
  • Erica Shearer - Yearbook Caption Writing - Northeastern HS
  • Hannah Bowders - Yearbook Copywriting - Central York HS
  • Kate Moyer - Yearbook Sports Writing - Central York HS
  • Ashley Gallagher - Yearbook Spread Design - Central York HS
  • Lizabeth Miller - Newspaper Feature Writing - Central York HS
  • Mohtaz Mahmuda - Editorial Writing - Central York HS
  • Daniel Risser - Broadcast Writing - Central York HS
  • Sarah Cutshall - Yearbook News Photos - Northeastern HS
  • Kaylee Sheideigg - Yearbook Sports Photos - Central York HS
  • Nathan Holtzinger - Newspaper Sports Photos - Central York HS
  • Damon Faulkner - Broadcast News Package - Northeastern HS
  • Parkes Harman - Broadcast Feature Package - Northeastern HS

The Pennsylvania School Press Association originated in 1925 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.

0 Comments

PRESS RELEASE: Temple SJC Results

12/6/2016

0 Comments

 
PSPA State Journalism Contest Finalists Named

PENNSYLVANIA (special) – For local high school journalists, the quest to become a State Champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened up its Third Annual State Journalism Contests. On November 1, nearly 40 students from southeast Pennsylvania traveled to Temple University in the hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 29, 2017. PSPA President Paul Fantaski expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event.


“It just amazes me how institutions like Temple University truly advocate and super-support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. On behalf of PSPA,
I must thank Patrick Gordon, Director of Journalism Carolyn Kitch, and all of Temple University for their willingness to host a SJC Regional this fall. Most importantly, 14 student journalists from outstanding southeastern 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 qualifies to attend the State Finals. PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2016-17 State Finalists:

  • Amanda Sarkisian - Yearbook Caption Writing - Conestoga HS
  • Dan King - Yearbook Copywriting - Malvern Preparatory School
  • Charlotte Tellefsen - Yearbook Sports Writing - Conestoga HS
  • Rachael Borelli - Newspaper News Story - Southern Lehigh HS
  • Kyle Leonard - Newspaper News Story - Malvern Preparatory School
  • Ethan Rowley - Newspaper Feature Story - Malvern Preparatory School
  • Townsend Colley - Newspaper Sports Story - Southern Lehigh HS
  • Lyvia Yan - Editorial Cartoon - Conestoga HS
  • Tyler Pizzico - Editorial Writing - Malvern Preparatory School
  • Ali Kochik - Literary Magazine Poetry - Red Lion Area Senior HS
  • Kyle Kennedy - Broadcast Writing - Conestoga HS
  • Meagan O'Rourke - Newspaper News Photos - Conestoga HS
  • Elizabeth Billman - Newspaper Sports Photos - Conestoga HS
  • Caitlin Roth - Newspaper Sports Photos - Southern Lehigh HS

The Pennsylvania School Press Association originated in 1925 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.


0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>

    Categories

    All
    Announcements
    Awards
    Member Voices
    Press
    SJCs

    Archives

    July 2026
    May 2026
    March 2026
    February 2026
    January 2026
    November 2025
    June 2025
    May 2025
    February 2025
    October 2024
    September 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    October 2023
    September 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    August 2022
    May 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

    RSS Feed

OUR MISSION
​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!
[email protected]


Aaron Fitzpatrick - PSPA President

[email protected]

Cyndi Crothers-Hyatt - PSPA Vice President

[email protected]

Jonathan Bickel - PSPA Secretary

[email protected]

Beth Ann Brown - PSPA Treasurer

[email protected]

PSPA Mailing Address
P.O. Box 385
​Manchester, PA 17345
Picture
Pennsylvania School Press Association     Copyright © 2025-2026     www.paschoolpress.org