Five people committed to improving scholastic journalism have been selected to receive the NSPA 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 2009 recipients are:
Mike Hiestand, legal consultant for the Student Press Law Center, has been assisting students, advisers and administrators with questions about scholastic press law since 1991. In that time, he has helped an estimated 14,000 people. He is a regular speaker for NSPA at conventions, and he writes the “It’s the Law” column for the NSPA website.
Monica Hill, executive director of the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, leads the fight for scholastic journalists in North Carolina. Previously, she held a similar role for the Alabama Scholastic Press Association. Hill is also a member of the NSPA Board of Directors and has been a frequent convention speaker and contest judge.
Mark Newton advises the Eagle Eye newspaper and Aerie yearbook at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch, Colo., and advised the Orange and Black newsmagazine at Grand Junction (Colo.) High School. A popular speaker at summer workshops and state and national conventions, Newton also serves the Journalism Education Association as the chair of its Certification Commission.
Tracy Anne Sena advises the Broadview newspaper at Convent of the Sacred Heart High School in San Francisco. She is a member of JEA’s Scholastic Press Rights Commission and an officer in the Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association and JEA of Northern California. She is a leader in student media technology issues and instruction in California and nationwide.
Linda Shockley is the deputy director of the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, which promotes careers in print and online journalism. In addition to her work with DJNF’s teacher recognition programs, workshops and scholarships, Shockley is a regular presenter at national conventions as part of the Outreach Academy steering committee.
These five individuals will be honored at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Washington, D.C., at the adviser luncheon Nov. 14.
NSPA maintains a composite plaque of Pioneers and displays it at the JEA/NSPA national conventions. Candidates are nominated and selected by previous Pioneer Award winners.