JEA Georgia Updates - January 2024
First of the year and looking ahead to spring.
It's 2024, can you dig it?
Dear JEA Georgia colleagues,
Warm greetings to each one of you as we remember the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today. I'm hopeful the day has brought opportunities for meditation and reflection.
Looking ahead, we are celebrating the incredible milestone of JEA turning 100 years old! The trail blazed by the Journalism Education Association has been marked by a century of dedication, passion, and a commitment to excellence in enriching the experience of advisers and students, alike. As we embark on this historic occasion, we look forward to honoring our rich legacy while embracing the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
In the coming months, we have an array of events and initiatives planned that promise to enrich your experience with JEA. From out-of-state conventions that foster collaboration and learning to engaging student contests that showcase the remarkable talent within our state, there is a lot to look forward to this year.
Thank you for being a part of the Journalism Education Association. Here's to a year filled with camaraderie, learning, and the celebration of a century of excellence!
All the best,
DR
Journalist of the Year - due Jan. 21
The Georgia Scholastic Press Association recognizes the top student journalist in the state with the Georgia Champion Journalist Award each year. The winner receives a cash prize and represents the state in the Journalism Education Association's National Journalist of the Year competition.
GSPA received 10 entries for the senior competition and seven for the junior competition this year, which is down from 22 overall entries last year, but higher than the traditional 12-15 historical average.
Disha Kumar, co-editor-in-chief for The Messenger newsmagazine at Northview High School in Johns Creek, Georgia, was named the 2023 Georgia Champion Journalist of the Year by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association. Melanie Frick, co-editor-in-chief for Cedar Shoals High School’s BluePrints Magazine, was the runner-up in the competition.
In addition to the senior-level Georgia Journalist of the Year contest, GSPA honors the top high school junior journalist in the state. Maya Clement, Managing Editor for Clarke Central High School’s ODYSSEY Media Group, was selected as the Georgia Junior Champion Journalist winner. Anna Shaikun, Digital editor for Clarke Central’s ODYSSEY Media Group, was the runner-up.
Entrants for Georgia Champion Journalist must be seniors, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have at least two years of journalism experience, and plan to major in journalism in college. They must submit an official transcript and three letters of recommendation, among other requirements.
The 2024 Georgia Champion Journalist and Junior Champion Journalist competitions require entrants to complete an online portfolio of their work following specific guidelines. It is important for entrants to thoroughly review the JEA guidelines for portfolios. (Do NOT submit an entry to the JEA contest, as only the state winner is allowed to be entered). It is also helpful to review the judging rubric.
It is highly recommended that entrants view this JEA JOY Guidelines video.
The deadline for both the Champion Journalist and Junior Champion Journalist Awards is Jan. 21, 2024.
Disha Kumar
Melanie Frick
Anna Shaikun and Maya Clement
Upcoming events - mark your calendars
JEA Advisers Institute
JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention
Southern Interscholastic Press Association
Out-of-state spring enrichment opportunities
The Southern Interscholastic Press Association Annual Convention is held the first weekend of March in Columbia, South Carolina. Students and advisers attend sessions taught by national award-winning instructors, students in the field, as well as professionals and collegiate instructors. Students also compete in on-site competitions and enjoy social and networking opportunities with other students. Not only are students able to network, but advisers from the Southeast are able to connect and talk shop. You can find out more information by viewing the SIPA website or connecting with SIPA Interim Director Nina Brook.
The Spring National High School Journalism Convention is April 4-6, 2024, in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Sheraton and Westin at Crown Center. The convention offers hundreds of instructional sessions, keynote speakers from national newsmakers, dozens of media critiques, JEA’s popular on-site media contests and the announcement of NSPA national winners for Pacemaker Awards and Individual Awards. NSPA also offers a convention Best of Show competition that celebrates current student media work.
At the JEA/NSPA High School Journalism Convention in Kansas City, students are able to participate in the National Student Media Contests on late Friday afternoon. We are in need of volunteers to judge the contests starting at 6p.m. As a judge, not only do you receive a complimentary buffet dinner, you also get to network with other advisers at your table. Judging is also some great professional development. Whether you are new to advising or not, all advisers are welcomed and can be a huge asset to the judging team. Please fill out the link here to volunteer: JEA Volunteer Form Spring 24.
As one last reminder, there will be dozens of sponsoring vendors at an exhibit area in the primary gathering space. Sponsors include companies with products and services for student media, educational institutions marketing to prospective students and organizations seeking to connect with the scholastic journalism community. Free goodies for kids and adults.
Another important convention coming next year is for advisers only (no students) and will take place in the summer as one of JEA's signature professional development events. The JEA Advisers Institute will be held July 15-18, 2024 in Providence, Rhode Island. This is a great program for all types of teachers with any level of experience or for advising any type of media. Complete info about Advisers Institute is available here. Personally, I've been able to attend the last two years and it's quickly become one of my favorite summer events because I can focus on my own professional development without managing my students -- and it's fun to meet new journalism teachers from all around the country for idea-sharing and networking!
SIPA 2023
SIPA 2023
SIPA 2022
JEA turns 100!
JEA is turning 100. We are proud to release a special site honoring the JEA Centennial, which celebrates our community, our legacy and our future. This is just the beginning of our year-long plan to commemorate the association. Each week, we’ll feature new centennial content, such as installments to our 100 lists of 100 series, which we also will highlight on JEA’s social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Mark your calendar for an extra-special Scholastic Journalism Week, Feb. 19-23, 2024, as we proudly affirm JEA’s role in education and the future of journalism with the theme “Here to Stay.”
All year, this celebration offers ways for our members, students and partners to engage:
Ways to say thank you — Share a public note of appreciation for someone in the JEA community through a special “thank-a-member” feature. Check out the first batch of messages here.
Ways to earn recognition — Students have an opportunity to compete in special JEA Centennial contests in writing, photography and broadcasting categories by Jan. 31, 2024.
Ways to celebrate — We hope you’ll join us April 4-6, 2024, for the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Kansas City, which will include a special interactive photo mosaic throughout the convention festivities and special JEA Centennial activities at the Thursday night adviser reception. Convention registration opens Jan. 17, 2024.
Ways to participate — Student media staffs can plan and execute a project big or small to use their skills toward a collective impact of 100 hours of service journalism through March 15. They can also participate in Student Media Contests that are due January 31.
Ways to give — Donate to JEA’s programs, and/or use the JEA Centennial as an opportunity to contribute to its new endowment to support the association’s long-term sustainability goals in the interests of journalism teachers and their students.
Celebrating JEA's 100th in Georgia
Commendation for JEA from the Governor
Commendation for JEA from the Governor for JEA and Scholastic Journalism Week Feb. 19-23
In order to celebrate JEA's work, the office of Governor Brian Kemp has relased an offical commendation celebrating the work and accomplishments of the National Journalism Education Association and Scholastic Journalism Week, Feb. 19-23, 2024.
As I learned, a commendation is a recognition for individual organizations and their contributions to the state as a whole, signed by the Govenor and including the Executive Seal. You can find more information about commendations: https://gov.georgia.gov/contact-us/commendation-request.
Take a moment to read the commendation in PDF form below.
100 things to know about Georgia with a nod towards journalism
With 100 mind, ever wonder what makes journalism in Georgia special? Take a look at 100 interesting tidbits. Special thanks to Stephanie Moreno for helping to curate the list.
Time sensitive request - due 2/16
Time to brag on your students and your program!
State Report
I'd like to take a moment once again to solicit your help. I'm preparing the fall JEA state report. I'm tasked with recording major awards that your students/publications have received since the last report was submitted in spring. If your organization has garnered national recognition of some type since November 2023, please let me know the details so that I can include your information.
Please see the example below from March 2023:
Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Georgia
The Southern Interscholastic Press Association awarded the following publication ratings and awards:
BluePrints Magazine - All-Southern (highest tier)
BluePrints Online - Superior; 2nd place Best in Show
WJAG-TV - Excellent
I will need this by 2/16, please.
FREE weekly curriculum
Curriculum Newsletter
JEA would love to spotlight others - I'd love to spotlight Georgia advisers featured - in upcoming newsletters. Here is the Google Form for that.
A call for veteran mentors
GSPA upcoming events
GSPA Spring Workshop
GSPA's Spring Workshop and Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024. The event will feature morning sessions from 9 a.m. to noon, which will be followed by a catered luncheon with a keynote speaker and awards.