Latest News

2008 Sweeps Winners Announced

Sweepstakes Publication Winners were announced at Journalism Day on Oct. 16 at Colorado State University. Just over 1200 certificates were awarded to students. And, though multiple students combined their efforts on some entries, a total of 1380 entries were judged in newspaper, yearbook and video media.

This year was the first that yearbook and video media were separated; all three ceremonies were conducted in separate rooms. Slides announced the winners as their names were read and certificates presented.

At the end of the category awards, overall Sweeps winners were presented with trophies and plaques. For the first time, honorable mention sweeps were awarded; these schools received a certificate. (Read More)

Eighth Journalism Day at CSU Draws Record Numbers

By Laura Carper- CHSPA Intern

Led by a cast of characters including Tim Harrower, Mary Kay Downes and Jake Palenske, Journalism Day arrived on Thursday, Oct. 16, at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. This year’s Journalism Day drew over 1,300 high school students and over 100 advisers from 81 high schools. Last year’s Journalism Day attracted 70 high schools. Clarissa Crozier, CHSPA executive director, was pleased with the number of students and high schools in attendance.
“With the hard economics and gas prices being what they are, we were delighted with the number of schools that still made this a priority,” Crozier said.
Journalism Day provided students and advisers with many workshops, keynote speakers and other resources for their journalism programs. Tim Harrower, the main keynote speaker, is an award-winning editor, designer and columnist.

Harrower spoke to students about some new and creative design ideas for newspaper and yearbook publications. Kim Blumhardt, CHSPA event coordinator, was grateful for the variety of talented speakers who were involved in Journalism Day.
“We were really fortunate to get so many outstanding professionals in the journalism field to present at Journalism Day,” she said. (Read more...)

November 25 Sees Return of Hall of Fame Sports Seminar, Contest

By Steve Wahlfeldt- CHSPA Board Member
The Fourth Annual Hall of Fame Sports Journalism Seminar is scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 25, in the auditorium of the Denver Newspaper Agency at 101 West Colfax. All high school journalists are invited to the event, which is co-sponsored by the Denver chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers and organized by Rich Clarkson, longtime Sports Illustrated contract photographer and former director of photography for the National Geographic Society.

The Denver multi-media firm of Rich Clarkson and Associates handles all photography for the Colorado Rockies and all 88 national championships of the NCAA. The evening program begins with an informal dinner hour at 6 p.m. Soft drinks and pizza will be provided by Nikon. Beginning at 7 p.m., the evening program will begin and include newspaper and television speakers from the field of sports journalism as well as show-and-tell sessions from some of the area’s top photojournalists. (Read more...)

Rock Canyon Adviser Receives Teacher of Year Award

by Kathy GabeR- TOY Coordinator
Jack Kennedy received Teacher of the Year honor for 2008 from the Colora- do High School Press Association. Kennedy has advised a variety of student publications since 1975 including newspaper, yearbook, literary magazine and video. Currently he advises at Rock Canyon High School, Highlands Ranch.
Kennedy’s student publications have received numerous awards throughout the years including CHSPA Sweepstakes, NSPA All-American, Quill and Scroll George Gallup Award, National Pacemaker, CSPA Gold Crown and JEA Best of Show.

Kennedy has also earned many awards for his commitment to scholastic journalism: Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Journalism Teacher of the Year, CSPA Gold Key, NSPA Pioneer, JEA Towley Award. He has led workshops in 27 states and three foreign countries. His journalism legacy continues with his two daughters who are both professional journalists. Kennedy views his publications staffs as a “community of thinkers and writers, working to not only inform, entertain and persuade readers, but to develop their own skills as communicators, as leaders, as members of a larger community.” He believes it is his responsibility to give his students the “skills and motivation they need to make a difference in the lives of their readers.” (Read more...)

Montrose Principal Honored for Integrity, Support for publications

By Clarissa Crozier- Executive Director
CHSPA is pleased to announce that the 2008 Administrator of the Year award goes to Jill Myers of Montrose High School. She has been in an administrative position at Montrose for 12 years, 3 as the principal. Her passion for helping students learn resulted in letters of support for new nomination from 4 student editors and both publication advisers at Montrose.

Valeria Marullo, Channel M editor, says that Mrs. Myers’ support of student journalism has made it possible for the broadcast show to explore different parts of journalism and has contributed to the success of the program. Lauren Krabbe, visual editor of the Chieftain says that not only does Myers encourage students to investigate controversial topics, but she is willing to provide information to aid in their investigations. (Read more...)

Friend of Scholastic Journalism announced at J-Day

Gary Wysocki Tells Others’ Stories in Video
by Clarissa Crozier- Executive Director
Selected 2008 Friend of Scholastic Journalism is Gary Wysocki, president and owner of ABS Productions and Video Yearbooks of the Rockies.
Wysocki has been telling other people’s stories through many different media his entire career. He has worked as a professional still photographer and educator and now as owner of his own production company. As a freelance videographer and producer, he has worked with large corporate clients, as well as the U.S. Ski Team, U.S. Navy, and recently completed a documentary filmed in Kenya about the Masai Tribesman of the Mara region of central Africa.

Wysocki has managed the production of thousands of school memory products for over 20 years and has spoken and taught at various journalism conferences both locally and nationwide. His video yearbook program has helped many schools get broadcast programs started and his patience and instructional help has opened doors for students who have discovered the magic of broadcast storytelling. (Read more...)