Six people committed to improving scholastic journalism through decades of service have been selected to receive the National Scholastic Press Association’s Pioneer Award, NSPA’s top honor to individuals. It recognizes substantial contributions to scholastic journalism outside regular job requirements as well as service to NSPA and its programs.
The 2013 recipients are:
Sheryl Fulton is the Marketing Services Manager at Jostens in Topeka, Kan., but for 22 years taught French and journalism at Fort Collins High School, Colo. She is a regular speaker at national conventions, adviser workshops, conferences and “J-days.†A trove of knowledge who freely gives her time and expertise to clients and non-customers alike, Fulton is truly a supporter of all journalism educators.
Kim Green teaches journalism and advises the Pacemaker Award-winning publications The Triangle and Log at Columbus North High School in Indiana. A former president of the Indiana High School Press Association, Green continues to give back by serving as a critiques judge, chairing JEA’s Certification Committee and writing for several publications. Green is a Master Journalism Educator.
Gary Lindsay taught language arts and journalism at John F. Kennedy High School for 40 years. He has served as the president of the Iowa High School Press Association and as a JEA State Director and currently serves as the JEA North Central Regional Director. An active mentor and judge, Lindsay continues to give back to the greater journalism community. He is a Master Journalism Educator.
Cindy Todd teaches journalism and advises the Pacemaker Award-winning El Paisano yearbook at Westlake High School in Texas. She has served as a convention speaker, workshop instructor and contest judge. Todd mentors teachers on the local, state and national level and serves on the Texas ILPC Advisory Board. She is a Master Journalism Educator.
Carmen Wendt has been teaching journalism for more than 30 years. During that time she has served as Arizona Interscholastic Press Association president, vice-president and area coordinator. She worked on the Phoenix convention committees in 1997 as local chair, 2002 and 2009. A regular presenter at JEA/NSPA conventions, Wendt still makes time to mentor new advisers. She is a Certified Journalism Adviser and a Master Journalism Educator.
Tom Winski taught journalism for 35 years at both scholastic and collegiate levels. During that time he was one of the founders of the Illinois Journalism Education Association. Winski has served as a convention speaker, contest judge, critique judge and JEA State Director. A tireless champion of first amendment rights, he continues to fight for student freedom of expression in Illinois. Winski is a Master Journalism Educator.