Blog Posts

PSPA announces summer critique rankings for newspapers

11/4/2018

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 announces summer critique rankings for literary magazines

11/2/2018

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Once again, PSPA offered summer critiques to literary magazine publications in 2018. 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

Gryphon, Penncrest High School, Media
Pulp, Lincoln Park Performing Arts High School, Midland
Self Portrait, Merion Mercy Academy, Merion Station

SILVER

Collage, Emmaus High School, Emmaus
Variations, North Allegheny High School, Wexford
Fragments, Avonworth High School, Pittsburgh
The Folio, Conestoga High School, Berwyn

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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2018 SJC Results from Penn State Behrend announced

10/31/2018

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Credit: J. Blystone

Download Press Release

For local high school journalists, the quest to become a state champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened its fifth annual regional Student Journalism Contests (SJCs). On October 19, 111 journalism students and advisers from northwest Pennsylvania traveled to Penn State Behrend for a morning of learning and competition.

At each of the annual regional SJCs through Pennsylvania, experienced judges evaluate students’ journalistic work produced for on-site and carry-in contests in newspaper, yearbook, literary magazine, and broadcast categories. PSPA invites finalists in each category to attend the state finals at Penn State’s University Park campus on March 27, 2019.

Each SJC also involves educational workshops for student participants. In the opening session of the Penn State Behrend event, PSU Behrend Lecturer Karrie Bowen interviewed three students from Saegertown High School who obtained press passes to cover President Donald Trump’s October 10 rally in Erie, Pa. Students and teachers also attended other educational sessions during throughout the morning.

“We had nearly one-third more competitors than last year, making for a very intense competition,” contest organizer and PSPA Board Member Dr. Jane Blystone said. “Penn State Behrend has been very welcoming to our competition, providing top-level speakers and judges as well as a beautiful space for our regional competition for the past four years.”

PSPA congratulates the 16 finalists listed below who will move forward to the state competition at Penn State University Park in March.

Broadcast Carry-In News Package – Kira Smith, McDowell High School
Broadcast Carry-In Feature Package – Sami Deufel, McDowell High School
Broadcast Writing – Sheena Byham, Saegertown High School
News Writing - Natalie Sebunia, McDowell High School
Feature Writing – Hannah Keil, Ft. LeBoeuf High School
Sports Writing – Taylor Munce, Saegertown High School
Editorial Cartoon – Morgan Radwick, Saegertown High School
Editorial Writing – Dana Scharrer, General McLane High School
Newspaper Carry-In Photography – Isabelle Southard, McDowell High School
Literary Magazine Poetry (Tie) – Alyssa Baker, McDowell High School; Amanda Crowl, Saegertown High School
Yearbook Caption Writing – Sarah Wakley, North East High School
Yearbook Copy Writing – Dayna Woodruff, Saegertown High School
Yearbook Sports Writing – Ali Smith, North East High School
Yearbook Spread Design – Lauren Haylett, Saegertown High School
Yearbook Carry-in Photos – Alexandra Law, McDowell High School

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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

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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Registration open for Fall 2018 SJCs

9/12/2018

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Registration is open for the fall 2018 Student Journalism Competitions (SJCs).

The PSPA SJCs are a morning of education and competitions for every student journalist in Pennsylvania. Featuring writing, design, and artistic opportunities similar to those offered at the Journalism Education Association’s semi-annual conventions – but near you, and at affordable prices. SJCs have categories in yearbook, newspaper, photography, literary magazines, and broadcast— take a look.

Remember, only member schools can send students, so make sure you have paid your 2018-19 membership fee. Level One Membership ($100) comes with three complimentary SJC entrance fees paid. Level Two (Full School) Membership ($150) comes with six.

NEW THIS YEAR:

Want to take a test-run of the competition categories with your students? Sample prompts for each category are posted for you to download and try with your staff. We hope these samples will provide students with an idea of what to expect. As always, you can also download the rubrics our judges will use for scoring.

We have two new SJC sites— St. Francis University and Indiana University of Pennsyvania.

In the carry-in news categories (15A + 15B), up to three students are welcome to team up on an entry.

Finally, do you know another publication or adviser whose students would enjoy the SJCs? If so, please forward this email on and encourage them to become PSPA members and attend the upcoming SJCs.

Each of the sites listed below links to the registration page. We look forward to seeing you at our fall events..

Indiana University of PA (Oct. 19 - Registration due in by Oct. 12 at 1 p.m.)
PSU Behrend (Oct. 19 - Registration due in by Oct. 9 at 1 p.m.)
St. Francis (Oct. 26 - Registration due in by Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.)
PSU Berks (Nov. 2 - Registration due in by Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.)
Point Park (Nov. 2 - Registration due in by Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.)
Temple (Nov. 5 - Registration due in by Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.)
Harrisburg Area Community College (Nov. 13 - Registration due in by Nov. 6 at 1 p.m.)

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

9/4/2018

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Aaron 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.

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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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