Blog Posts - Pennsylvania School Press Association

PSPA cancels 2020 Student Journalism Competition Finals at Penn State University

3/9/2020

The Bad News: With the spread of the coronavirus impacting many schools and communities throughout Pennsylvania, the PSPA Board and Penn State officials determined that our safest course of action is to cancel the in-person PSPA State Finals event, previously scheduled for March 25. The health and safety of our students and advisers comes first. We’ll regret missing this day of competition and learning in 2020.

The Good News: Our PSPA board is working on a plan that will still allow our student finalists to compete for the state championships. We are meeting again next week to review statewide coronavirus impact and to keep developing our competition plans. Our board knows that it is important to establish a fair timeline for a remote finals competition. Many of these details are contingent on how this situation evolves over the next few days. We will contact the advisers of student finalists with some updated information by Friday, March 20

Until then, we’d love to hear from you. Our board had a lively discussion at tonight’s meeting about all the ways that coronavirus impacts our schools. If there is information that you would like us to know as we develop these plans, please reach out. And if your students publish journalism about the evolving coronavirus situation in your community, please send it our way—we’d love to feature some of these stories on our social channels.

We will get this done... for the kids. Stay tuned, and stay safe.

New Voices legislation in Pennsylvania makes progress, needs your support

1/20/2020

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.

Get ready for 2020 SJC Finals at Penn State University!

1/18/2020

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

PSPA Student Journalism Competition Finalists Named: Juniata College

11/21/2019

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 Sixth Annual State Journalism Contests. On October 31, students from all over central Pennsylvania traveled to Juniata College with hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 25, 2020.

PSPA Board member and site coordinator Nate Thompson expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event. “I am so thankful institutions like Harrisburg Area Community College truly advocate and support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. They have hosted our regional event for the last four years. On behalf of PSPA, I simply must thank Lizabeth Kranzel, Natalie Toma, Brandon Sheppard, Lori Firedlander and all the other staff of HACC who worked to make this all happen."

"I also need to give a shout-out to all our guest presenters: Anna Orso, reporter from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Karissa Tumbusch from Jostens Yearbooks, Sam Miller, founder of Vidjam, and Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz, filmmaker," Sands added. "Because of everyone’s efforts, 16 student journalists from some of our outstanding south-central PA schools have advanced to the State Championships.”

Contests involved literary design, photography, copywriting, sports-writing, editorial cartoon, broadcast media, and poetry talents. Only the top-scoring competitors in each Regional contest category qualified to attend the State Finals. PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2019-20 State Finalists:

Alivia Melius - Yearbook Caption Writing - Tussey Mountain HS
Karley Miller- Yearbook Copy Writing - New Day Charter School
Lexie Reed - Yearbook Sports Story Writing - Juniata Valley HS
Maggie Parks - Yearbook Spread Design - Tyrone Area HS
Sarah Ambrose - Newspaper News Story Writing - State College Area HS
Sierra Hockenbury - Newspaper Feature Writing - State College Area HS
Troy Walker - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Bellwood-Antis HS (tie)
Quincy Steidle - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - State College Area HS (tie)
Kaitlin Raifsnider - Editorial Cartoon - Juniata Valley HS
Adrita Talukder - Editorial Writing - State College Area HS
Autumn Hoover - Literary Magazine Poetry - Tussey Mountain HS
Rachel Brubaker - Literary Magazine Artwork - Juniata Valley HS
Auden Yurman - Yearbook Photography - State College Area HS
Lucia Isenberg - Newspaper Photography - Tyrone Area HS (tie)
Lindsey Walk - Newspaper Photography - Tyrone Area HS (tie)
Olivia Zhang - Broadcast News Package - State College Area HS
Ella Simpson - Broadcast Feature Package - State College Area 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.

PSPA Student Journalism Competition Finalists Named: Point Park University

11/21/2019

PENNSYLVANIA (special) – For local high school journalists, the quest to become a state champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association (PSPA) opened up its sixth annual Student Journalism Contests. On November 1, students from all over southwestern Pennsylvania traveled to Point Park University in Pittsburgh with hopes of advancing to the state finals held at Penn State University Park on March 25, 2020.

PSPA Board member and site coordinator Aaron Fitzpatrick expressed his appreciation for several aspects of the event. “On behalf of PSPA, I have to thank Helen Fallon, Andy Conte, Stacey Federoff, Lisa Knapp and Point Park University, whose tireless efforts and passion for student journalism make this special partnership possible by allowing us to share space and be a part of their fall Media Day event," Fitzpatrick said. "There are a lot of talented student journalists in our corner of Pennsylvania, and I’m excited to see what they can do at the state level this March.”

Contests involved literary design, photography, copywriting, sports-writing, editorial cartoon, broadcast media and poetry talents. Only the top-scoring competitors in each regional contest category qualified to attend the state finals. PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2019-20 state finalists:

Keith Pawlowski - Yearbook Caption Writing - Freedom Area HS
Cole Skuse - Yearbook Copy Writing - Freedom Area HS HS
Jalynn Falk - Yearbook Spread Design - Freedom Area HS HS
Cade Skuse - Newspaper News Story Writing - Freedom Area HS HS
Kailey Scigliano - Newspaper Feature Writing - Avonworth HS
Nathan Morgan - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Avonworth HS
Andrew McDowell - Editorial Cartoon - Avonworth HS
Mason Hedge - Editorial Writing - Freedom Area HS
Hadley Holcomb - Editorial Writing - Avonworth HS
Myah Hrinko - Literary Magazine Artwork - Freedom Area HS
Leah McNear - Yearbook Photography - Freedom Area HS
Will Lucas - Newspaper Photography - Avonworth HS
Ryan Mickey, Max Haberberger, and Zoe Vitelli - Broadcast Feature - Penn Trafford 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.

PSPA Student Journalism Competition Finalists Named: Penn State Behrend

11/12/2019

PENNSYLVANIA (special) – For local high school journalists, the quest to become a state champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened its sixth annual regional Student Journalism Contests (SJCs). On October 18, 120 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 25, 2020.

Each SJC also involves educational workshops for student participants. This year’s theme was “Integrity: Media in its best form.” Erie photographer and PSU Behrend Lecturer Rob Frank discussed thinking outside the box in photojournalism in the morning keynote session. Students and teachers also attended a panel discussion with college journalists from the Behrend Beacon, PSB-TV, Wintergreen Media Productions, and BVZ Radio, moderated by PSB Lecturer Karrie Bowen.

“Our competition keeps growing each year,” contest organizer and PSPA Board Member Stacey Hetrick said. “We are thankful to Penn State Behrend for providing top-level speakers as well as a beautiful space for our regional competition for the past five years.”

PSPA congratulates the 17 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 (Tie) – Sam Shelenberger, Saegertown High School; Justin Wesmiller, Zack Yeager, and Meghan Longo, McDowell High School
Broadcast Writing – Kailee Frenn, McDowell High School
News Writing - Ivy Laffan, Fort LeBoeuf HIgh School
Feature Writing – Faith Morrow, General McLane High School
Sports Writing – Hayden Ford, Fort LeBoeuf High School
Editorial Cartoon – Paisley Mangold, Saegertown High School
Editorial Writing – Eva Tillich, Fort LeBoeuf HIgh School
Newspaper Carry-In Photography – Isabelle Southard, McDowell High School
Literary Magazine Poetry – Mandy Berlin, McDowell High School
Literary Magazine Stand-Alone Artwork - Josie Deeter, Saegertown High School
Yearbook Caption Writing – Hailey Rupp, North East High School
Yearbook Copy Writing – Dayna Woodruff, Saegertown High School
Yearbook Sports Writing – James Piersol, North East High School
Yearbook Spread Design – Ella Kloss, North East High School
Yearbook Carry-in Photos – Maria Dimperio, North East High School

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.

Students compete at Pennsylvania School Press Association’s regional Student Journalism Competition at Penn State Behrend on October 18. Photo: Stacey Hetrick.

PSPA Student Journalism Competition Finalists Named: Harrisburg Area Community College

11/8/2019

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 Sixth Annual State Journalism Contests. On October 15, students from all over central Pennsylvania traveled to Harrisburg Area Community College with hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 25, 2020.

PSPA Board member and site coordinator Lisa Sands expressed her appreciation for several aspects about the event. “I am so thankful institutions like Harrisburg Area Community College truly advocate and support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. They have hosted our regional event for the last four years. On behalf of PSPA, I simply must thank Lizabeth Kranzel, Natalie Toma, Brandon Sheppard, Lori Firedlander and all the other staff of HACC who worked to make this all happen."

"I also need to give a shout-out to all our guest presenters: Anna Orso, reporter from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Karissa Tumbusch from Jostens Yearbooks, Sam Miller, founder of Vidjam, and Abdullah Abu-Mahfouz, filmmaker," Sands added. "Because of everyone’s efforts, 16 student journalists from some of our outstanding south-central PA schools have advanced to the State Championships.”

Contests involved literary design, photography, copywriting, sports-writing, editorial cartoon, broadcast media, and poetry talents. Only the top-scoring competitors in each Regional contest category qualified to attend the State Finals. PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2019-20 State Finalists:

Laura Shearer - Yearbook Caption Writing - Northeastern HS
Brianna Bricker - Yearbook Copy Writing - Central York HS
Benjamin Beck - Yearbook Sports Story Writing - Central York HS
Abigail Tabachini - Yearbook Spread Design - Northeastern HS
Davis Corman - Newspaper News Story Writing - Bellefonte Area HS
Taylor Forry - Newspaper News Story Writing - Northeastern HS
Tyler Muse - Newspaper Feature Writing - Bellefonte Area HS
Sam Woloson - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Central York HS
Jayden Herod - Editorial Cartoon - Northeastern HS
Chloe Barlett - Editorial Writing - Northeastern HS
Reagan Steinberg - Literary Magazine Artwork - Northeastern HS
Noah Conley - Broadcast Writing - Northeastern HS
Kaitlyn Berkey - Yearbook Photography - Bellefonte Area HS
Fatoumatta Sawaneh - Broadcast News Package - Northeastern HS
Kennedy Jennings and Mary Bova - Broadcast Feature Package - Central York 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.

PSPA Student Journalism Competition Finalists Named: Drexel University

11/6/2019

PENNSYLVANIA (special) – For regional high school journalists, the quest to become a state champion commenced once again when the Pennsylvania School Press Association opened up its sixth annual Regional Student Journalism Competitions. On October 25, 115 students from the Philadelphia region traveled to Drexel University for a day of journalistic competition, learning, and fun.

More than 60 of those student journalists competed in contests involving news writing, sports writing, editorial writing, photography, yearbook writing and design, and literary magazine contributions. The competition involved prompts designed to parallel what students might encounter while working on their own student publications. Students were on deadline, with approximately 45 minutes to create their work in each contest.

Educational sessions led by Drexel University faculty and staff from the Student Press Law Center ran opposite the contest sessions. Students and advisers practiced graphic design strategies, participated in discussions about the future of print news, and learned about how student press law applies to public and private schools in Pennsylvania.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Drexel University for hosting our regional event for the first time,” PSPA site coordinator and vice president Kate Plows said. “On behalf of PSPA, I’d especially like to thank Jackie Hopkins, Director of Events and Visitor Relations for Drexel’s Enrollment Management. Jackie’s background in student journalism made her determined from the start to host a great event. The engagement of our students and advisers as they explored and learned at the URBN Center confirmed that Drexel did just that.”

PSPA hosts eight regional Student Journalism Competitions each fall throughout the state. Only the top-scoring competitors in each regional contest category qualify to attend the annual state finals in State College, PA. PSPA is excited to invite the following 19 Philadelphia-area student journalists to spend a day of journalism competition and learning at Penn State University on March 25, 2020, hosted by the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.

2019 PSPA Philadelphia SJC Results

1Y—Yearbook Caption Writing | Kate Malley, Strath Haven H.S.
4Y—Yearbook Spread Design | Anish Garamidi, Conestoga H.S.
5N—Newspaper News Story Writing | Quinn Luong, The Haverford School
6N—Newspaper Feature Writing | Will Garrett, Strath Haven H.S., Owen Ley, Perkiomen Valley H.S.
7N—Newspaper Sports Story Writing | Aimee Butterbaum, Conestoga H.S., Mitav Nayak, The Haverford School
8E—Editorial Cartoon | Melinda Xu, Conestoga H.S.
9E—Editorial Cartoon | Matt Fan, Conestoga H.S.
10L—Literary Magazine, Poetry | Lara Briggs, Conestoga H.S.
11L—Literary Magazine, Artwork | Madison Red, Conestoga H.S., Lauren St. Clair, Strath Haven H.S. (Tie)
13YP—Yearbook Photography | Tamara Rushby, Conestoga H.S.
14NP—Newspaper Photography | Isabella Ewing, Perkiomen Valley H.S., Maria Andraos, Strath Haven H.S.
15BF—Broadcast Carry-In Feature Package | Alisha Lou, Franklin Learning Center, Jack Susanin, Conestoga H.S., Owen Cutler, Conestoga H.S.
15BN—Broadcast Carry-In News Package | Val Pucci, Conestoga H.S.

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.

PSPA Student Journalism Competition Finalists Named: Indiana University of Pennsylvania

11/5/2019

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 Sixth Annual State Journalism Contests. On October 18, 34 students from southwestern Pennsylvania traveled to Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 25, 2020. PSPA President Paul Fantaski expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event.

“It just amazes me how institutions like The Indiana Gazette and IUP truly advocate and super-support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. On behalf of PSPA, I simply must thank Hastie Kinter from the Gazette and everyone else who met over and over to make this all happen. Because of those efforts, 18 student journalists from outstanding southwestern PA schools have advanced to the State Championships.”

Contests involved literary design, photography, copywriting, sports-writing, editorial cartoon, broadcast media, and poetry talents. Only the top-scoring competitors in each Regional contest category qualified to attend the State Finals. PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2019-20 State Finalists:

Bailey Hamilton - Yearbook Caption Writing - Kiski Area HS (tie for 1st)
Rachel Helsel - Yearbook Caption Writing - Kiski Area HS (tie for 1st)
Chandler McGuire - Yearbook Copy Writing - Kiski Area HS HS
Eddie Fuhrer - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Kiski Area HS HS
Amber McGihon - Newspaper News Story Writing - Franklin Regional HS
Debra Spaid - Newspaper News Story Writing - Purchase Line Area HS
Emmet Jamieson - Newspaper Feature Writing - Punxsutawney Area HS
Luke Rainey - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Penns Manor Area Jr./Sr. HS
Brice Hoculock - Editorial Cartoon - Kiski Area HS
Louise Bennett - Editorial Writing - Punxsutawney Area HS
Sean Adamski - Literary Magazine Poetry - Kiski Area HS
Alyssa Poleski - Literary Magazine Artwork - Kiski Area HS (tie for 1st)
Jack Coleman - Literary Magazine Artwork - Kiski Area HS (tie for 1st)
Anna Buggy - Broadcast Writing - Penns Manor Area Jr./Sr. HS
Martina Webb - Yearbook Photography - Kiski Area HS
Colin Matz - Newspaper Photography - Purchase Line Area HS
Angelina Pampena - Broadcast Feature - Franklin Regional HS
Olivia Ciotti - Broadcast News Package - Franklin Regional 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.

PSPA Student Journalism Competition Finalists Named: Bloomsburg

10/14/2019

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 Sixth Annual State Journalism Contests. On October 11, 14 students from northeastern Pennsylvania traveled to Bloomsburg University in the hopes of advancing to the State Finals held at Penn State Main on March 25, 2020. PSPA President Paul Fantaski expressed his appreciation for several aspects about the event.

“It just amazes me how institutions like Bloomsburg truly advocate and super-support journalism in Pennsylvania schools. On behalf of PSPA, I simply must thank Jason Genovese and John Koslosky from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania for their willingness to host a SJC Regional on October 11. Most importantly, 10 student journalists from outstanding northeastern 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 competitors in each Regional contest category qualified to attend the State Finals. PSPA proudly announces the following students as 2019-20 State Finalists:

Jacob Smedley - Yearbook Caption Writing - Danville Area HS (tie for 1st)
Kayla Foss - Yearbook Caption Writing - Danville Area HS (tie for 1st)
Grace Salerno-Oswald - Yearbook Copy Writing - Danville Area HS
Samuel Betz - Yearbook Sports Story Writing - Danville Area HS
Miya Gillin - Newspaper Feature Story Writing - Montoursville Area HS
Julia Mertes - Newspaper News Story Writing - Montoursville Area HS
Mackenzie Cohick - Newspaper Sports Story Writing - Montoursville Area HS
Molly Chapman - Newspaper Editorial Writing - Montoursville Area HS
Nikki Lytle - Yearbook Photography - Danville Area HS
Alysa Young - Yearbook Photography - Montoursville Area 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.

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!

Paul Fantaski, PSPA President
pfantaski@gmail.com

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

Pennsylvania School Press Association Copyright © 2019-2020 www.paschoolpress.org