75ANNIVERSARY

DEPARTMENT of JOURNALISM

1937-2012

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Celebrating 75 YearsWelcome to the 75th year of the Alabama Scholastic Press Association!

In the 1920s the University of Alabama’s journalism department started contests for high school journalists. They didn’t realize it then, but that simple act was the beginning of 75 years of a partnership between the University, the Department of Journalism and what would become the Alabama Scholastic Press Association.

ASPA was formed “for the purpose of stimulating and developing newspaper and journalistic talent among high school students” and, through the Department of Journalism, carries on that tradition today. The book you hold in your hands is a tribute to those 75 years, as well as the University’s ongoing mission of service.

Those of us who are fortunate enough to be a part of this celebration know that we stand on the shoulders of giants. Every teacher, student and administrator involved in ASPA since its inception built this thriving organization into what it is today. ASPA is special because it has always belonged to the scholastic journalists that it serves. Many of them have not missed an ASPA event in years.

Meredith Cummings Director, Alabama Scholastic Press Association

ASPA is a living, breathing, active organization. It has multitudes of friends who support it and answer the call to volunteer when asked. Media professionals who once attended ASPA events as high school students return to Alabama each year to teach the next generation of students. It is those people whom we honor with this book. We say thank you to the students, teachers and professionals as we look back on 75 years of scholastic journalism excellence.

Heroes often do their work quietly when no one is watching. Such is the work of those who support ASPA and work behind the scenes to spark awe and interest in students when it comes to scholastic media.

Thank you to all those involved in ASPA since 1937. Here’s to 75 more!

It was the best of times...

Clarence CasonThe W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library

The University of Alabama

The Alabama High School Publication Association was formed in 1937, although statewide contests for Alabama newspapers and yearbooks had been taking place for nearly 10 years. The 1929 catalog of The University of Alabama included plans for a statewide contest for high school newspapers and yearbooks, and records indicate as many as 50 schools participated in the program in the early years. Clarence Cason, chair of the new Department of Journalism, and W.C. Blasingame, staff member of the Extension Division, developed the setting for the AHSPA. Phillips Beedon succeeded Cason, and AHSPA was soon formed “for the purpose of stimulating and developing newspaper and journalistic talent among high school students.” For the next few years, awards were made at district or state conferences “for the best printed high school annual, the best mimeographed high school annual and the best high school paper.” In 1964, Hugh L. Taylor, director of UA’s Counseling and Advisory Services, wrote in “The Development of High School Journalism Programs at the University of Alabama,” that the early conferences were attended by student editors, business managers, feature writers, columnists, reporters and faculty advisers.

It has been deemed wise to call off the

state meeting this year.“ ”—in response to war efforts

1942

30s19

The war years severely curtailed the activities of the Alabama High School Publications Association. Restrictions on travel prevented state and district meetings and paper shortages forced many schools to suspend publication.

Shortly before it became inactive in 1942, the name of the organization was changed to the Alabama High School Press Association.

were held during the 1946-47 school year in Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Montgomery and Mobile.

on the campus of The University of Alabama. The conference included writing,

management, advertising and mimeographed newspapers.

40s19

...It was the worst of times

More than 300 students from 42 schools attended the state meeting of the reinstated Alabama High School Press Association in February 1951 at The

The growth of the Journalism Clinic —which became the annual fall

the development of detailed rules for contests, sweepstakes and awards, attracted banquet speakers and increased attendance.

It was during this decade that the Alabama Press Association began providing banquet speakers, university journalism students began serving as panelists for newspaper sessions and the statewide meeting was moved to the fall semester.

Competition entries were once divided into two classes: schools with enrollment of 500 or more and schools with less. But they soon required a third class for schools with enrollments of 1,000. Workshop sessions for critiques were added to the agenda as well.

organization of the Alabama Association of Journalism Directors in December 1955 by 30 high school journalism advisers. AAJD hoped to promote journalism as an accredited part of high school curricula.

publications joined University faculty and students as panelists. Advisers began holding AAJD meetings during the annual meeting of Alabama Education Association.

Growth and reorganization

1950s

More than 300 students from 424 schools attended the state meeting of the reinstated Alabama High School Press Association in February 1951 at The

The growth of the Journalism Clinic—which became the annual fall

the development of detaileed rules for contests, sweepstakes and awards, ,attracted banquet speakers and increased attennndadance.

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organization of the Alabama Association of Journalism Directors iiin December 11959555 bybyby 330 high school journalism advisers. AAJJD hoped to prpromomomote jojournalismmm aaass s ananan aaacccccrereredididiteteteddd partrtrt ooofff hihihigghgh sschchoooool l cuc rricula.

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The Alabama Association of Journalism Directors invited the chair of UA’s Department of Journalism and the director of the Extension Division to join its board at the turn of the decade.

Revisions to the constitution of the Alabama High School Press Association provided for election of student governors in each of seven districts. The revisions also appointed the Department of Journalism chair as AHSPA adviser and Extension Division representative as coordinator and treasurer.

More than 500 students and teachers from 37 schools attended the annual

workshops enrolled 30 high school journalists in each of two two-week sessions. The Alabama Press Association assisted by providing scholarships.

In 1963, the Journalism Clinic set a new attendance record with 596 students and teachers from 49 schools.

AAJD members voted in 1966 to move the fall AHSPA meeting to Birmingham Southern College. It returned to Tuscaloosa in 1967, with UA

department chair and Extension Services representative to talk about concerns for the annual fall meeting, including publication judging and event promotion. AHSPA asked for more support and University

On Oct. 11, 1969, the University of Alabama hosted the last fall

move the annual state meeting to the spring.

1960

In addition to moving the annual state meeting to the spring, AHSPA began referring to the meeting and Journalism Clinic as a convention, and the adviser group changed its name to the Alabama Journalism Education Association.

at regional clinics held in the fall.

The chair of UA’s Department of Journalism directed the annual convention. Communication between the schools and coordination of events were facilitated by the College of Continuing Education. The need to keep a historical record of activities became apparent.

At the general assembly in 1972, the organizations thanked the University

leadership support. “We are truly grateful to the University for this service you have performed for some 35 years to journalism teachers and students of Alabama,” a spokesman said at the event.

As AHSPA expanded, so did the demands on the administration. Advisers and students asked for

judges, consistent standards, judging of mimeographed newspapers as a separate category, encouragement from local newspapers and awards for outstanding writers.

Growth brings administrative complexities

The Alabama Press Association responded with the AHSPA Better Newspaper contest.

were given for general excellence and for news overage, editorials, sports, features, photography and art and makeup. Yearbooks were judged by standards similar to the National Scholastic Press Association scoring book.

doubled to 32. Fall workshops were proposed in seven cities. AHSPA paid for one student to attend a national convention, and advisers and students began attending conventions of the Southern Interscholastic Press Association, National Scholastic Press Association and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association.

Literary magazines were added to the program

statewide literary magazine, Alabama Literary Critique, was published. Teacher of the Year and Student of the Year awards were selected

cover politics for NBC, spoke to students at the summer workshops. That same year, fall workshops were scheduled in Mobile, Huntsville, Montgomery and Birmingham.

1970s

Regional fall and summer workshops and spring clinics had become fixtures of AHSPA, drawing nearly

300 participants by 1980. That year, students munched on cookies and cheese straws at the 25th anniversary

meeting of Alabama Journalism Education Association. Annual critiques involved nearly 125 publications

and by the end of the decade, annual attendance at events rose to 3,000.

AHSPA featured student press cards and a visit with legislators at the State Capitol. Score sheets were

developed for competitions. Central UA offices handled administration and financing of the program.

Around 1981, the first yearbook workshop was held and 35 students and advisers attended a five-day

summer workshop to learn newspaper paste-up. In 1982, 200 students and advisers from 26 publications

paid $5 to attend the spring clinic. Summer numbers continued to grow slowly.

National spotlight shines on ASPA

Chairmen of the journalism

department continued to provide

direction for the program until

1982, when the faculty was assigned

greater responsibility for organizing

and teaching. Changes began taking

place in 1983 when AHSPA was

renamed the Alabama Scholastic Press

Association. New bylaws outlined

a process for nominating student

officers and campaigning. Computer

instruction and broadcast classes were

added to workshops. Dues doubled

to $15 so as to hire qualified judges

for competition. Fall Regionals drew

450 to Huntsville, Birmingham,

Montgomery and Mobile in 1983.

Formats for ASPA fall workshops,

annual meetings and summer camps

changed in 1984. The director and

several advisers and students attended

the convention of the Journalism

Education Association in Little Rock,

Ark. Inspired by the style of the

convention, the level of instruction

and program details, they returned

determined to turn Alabama events

into major attractions.

In 1985, ASPA brought in noted

cartoonist Kevin Drabble to “draw”

the keynote address, hosted Bryant

Gumble of NBC’s Today Show at

the 1986 convention and invited

Kathryn Tucker Windham to host the

Red Hot & Gold 50th anniversary

convention in 1987. In 1988, ASPA

featured experts on censorship from

Hazelwood School District and in 1989

hired scholastic journalism teachers of

renown. Soon conventions were

drawing attendances of 500.

Summer activities expanded with

the first UA Minority Journalism

Workshop in 1984, a new Dow Jones

Adviser Workshop and the first Rural

Journalism Workshop. Five years later

Dow Jones chose UA as the site of its

Intensive Journalistic Writing

Workshop.

Fall regional workshops—soon

known as the Alabama Traveling

Road Show—grew as advisers

promoted the events locally and the

University started touring the state by

van, carrying up to three high school

advisers to teach newspaper, yearbook

and literary magazine tracks. Local

advisers and professionals rounded

out the program with broadcast and

special topics. Dothan was added to

the schedule of fall regional

workshops in 1989, bringing the

total to eight sites and drawing more

than 2,000 students and advisers.

During this decade, UA’s journalism

department added a full-time

instructor position with part-time

responsibility for high school and

minority outreach.

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1980s

The century ends on a high noteThe 1990s opened with a record crowd of 2,300 at ASPA Fall Regional Workshops. The state convention featured nationally recognized educators in newspaper, yearbook and literary magazine and drew 450 students. Broadcast was becoming a staple of the competitions, as were staff and individual awards in print media. In 1991, The Heart of Dixie camp registered 150 students and advisers in beginning and advanced tracks of all media. The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund again held its Intensive Journalistic Writing Workshop on the campus of UA.

The picture the next year was not as rosy. In 1991, event attendance dropped by a third as the state government tightened its education budget. UA’s College of Communication, which had supplied ASPA with administration for 10 years, could no longer afford to do so. The headquarters of ASPA moved to the Office of Student Publications. Attendance at summer’s Long Weekend held steady at 150. In the following years, fall workshops continued to draw around 1,000 attendees in five or six cities. The administration suggested limiting workshop stops to four and conducting them by teleconference.

In 1993, spring convention attendance wavered near 250. A committee was formed to create a broadcast scorebook and student computer designers began participating in Write-Off competitions. Membership grew one-third, to 132, as publications continued to send in entries and accept their awards by mail. By the middle of the decade, Quark and PageMaker were taught side-by-side at spring and summer workshops.

Susie DeMent, Namesake of the Adviser of the Year AwardSSSNNN

Beginning in 1995, activities began to pick up. Fall Regional Workshops were again held in the major cities—Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Montgomery, MobileHuntsville and Florence. ASPA celebrated its 60th year at the state convention in 1997, with an attendance of 300. The summer workshops drew 205 students and advisers and an Internet workshop was added.

In 1997, the fall workshops featured five national speakers at five sites. Attendance at the spring convention increased to nearly 450 students and advisers from 38 schools.

ASPA continued to encourage advisers to qualify for Certified Journalism Educator. In addition to the Long Weekend, UA offered a two-week Institute for Teachers of Scholastic Journalism. Summer workshop attendance swelled to 180.

The annual convention closed out the century with an emphasis on student press law. Alabama students and advisers expressed their intention to support passage of a bill protecting students’ free expression.

1990s

Rocky times, then reboundASPA continued to prosper early into the 21st century. Workshops featured renown advisers, professors and professionals. Attendance at state conventions held steady around 500, with a high of 550 in 2000. The fall regional workshops drew 800 to 1,000. Summer workshops attracted 100 to 150 campers. Advisers were encouraged to become Certified Journalism Educators and Master Journalism Educators through the Journalism Education Association. ASPA pushed for state approval of free expression for students.

From early 2002, when the long-time ASPA director resigned, until a full-time faculty member was appointed to the position in 2008, ASPA shuffled between a number of university offices. Attendance declined at fall and summer workshops and spring conferences, and finances faltered. Coordinators changed year to year, sometimes even semester to semester.

In 2004, attendance at the State Convention hit a low of 285, with revenue falling by one-third. Hurricane Ivan cancelled Fall Regional Workshops in September of that year and only 400 attended a limited reschedule. Advisers discussed involving other state universities, improving newsleter content and going online to save production costs, organizing student officers to facilitate local programming and improving registration procedures.

In 2005, the Office of Student Media turned ASPA back over to UA’s College of Communication, which established a partnership with the College of Continuing Studies. Fall Regional Workshops were cancelled for lack of time to plan. The dual arrangement continued into 2007, with no summer camp held that year. In spring of 2007, with newly hired journalism department chair Dr. Jennifer Greer at the helm, the Department of Journalism resumed sole responsibility for ASPA, a role it surrendered 15 years earlier. In the fall of 2008, the College of Communication hired a full-time ASPA director.

Once the journalism department took ASPA under its wing again, it began to see rapid growth and change. A new logo was chosen, a website started and a social media plan put into action. Websites were created for the contests and critiques in 2008. Attendance at annual events began to improve. Participation in the Long Weekend more than tripled between 2008 and 2010. ASPA teachers and students received national awards and recognition, one of which was finalist for Journalist of the Year. In 2011, ASPA was awarded a $5,000 National Education Association grant for their new teacher mentoring program through the Journalism Education Association.

ASPA, which had traditionally served high schools—and later, middle schools—began to expand its reach into elementary schools in 2009. In the fall of 2011, after the retirement of its former director, the National Elementary Schools Press Association moved from Hendersonville, N.C., to make its new home in Tuscaloosa on the campus of The University of Alabama.

2000s

TRIBUTES

Chair, Department of JournalismJennifer Greer

It’s hard to believe that Alabama Scholastic Press Association is turning 75 years young. Developed as an organization to foster the teaching and practice of journalism education to high school students, I’m sure no one back then could anticipate the massive changes journalists encounter today. Research has proven that students involved in journalism are usually high achievers, a trait necessary to keep up with the advancement of technology. The role of the media is still to inform, educate and entertain, but in the age of digital technology, including blogs, social media outlets and various online sites, students are challenged more than ever to change how they report information. Our goal at ASPA is to continue to move forward. I am proud of the work we have accomplished over the years, and as we

look forward to the successes in the future.

Melissa DixonASPA Board President

ASPA: Here’s to the next 75 years of training, guiding and inspiring

generations of media professionals.“ ”Jennifer Greer

I have fond memories of my involvement

in scholastic journalism, starting as a high

school yearbook and newspaper staffer in

Missouri and continuing as a counselor

for summer journalism camps at the

University of Florida. Imagine how thrilled

I was in 2007 to learn that part of my new

role as chair would be aiding in the rebirth

of ASPA in the UA Department of Journalism. Guided by

department veterans Bill Keller and Marie Parsons and later

buoyed by the enthusiasm of new hire Meredith Cummings,

I’ve been honored to play a small role in the vibrant

organization ASPA has become as it turns 75. Social

networking, technological developments, media convergence

and new forms of writing and visual presentation for digital

delivery make today the most rapidly changing period I’ve

witnessed in my three decades in the profession. Our stu-

dents will be the reporters, writers, producers, editors,

directors, executives and—most importantly—entrepreneurs

in an era of journalism few of us can envision clearly today. I

can’t imagine a more exciting time to be a scholastic

journalist or a more important time for groups like ASPA to

help guide media leaders of tomorrow.

Professor of Writing, Department of JournalismRick Bragg

amaze me, as if there really is something in the dirt down here that grows these people. They are born with stories in their DNA and by the time they are in their teens their hearts swell with them, and it has been a pleasure to try to help bring those stories out into the open. Mentoring and teaching are to me the same thing, just sharing the experiences I’ve lived through, mistakes and all, in hopes these young people will be spared some of them -- or at least making sure they are not surprised when this often unforgiving craft hits them upside the head. For the young writer, I offer only this advice. Read good writing, read it and read it and read it, till in becomes part of your language, and mixes with your own, natural talents. Then write. Practice the craft, any way you can.

The relationship between the Alabama Press Association and the Alabama Scholastic Press Association predates most of us involved in either association today. What has remained

unchanged throughout the years is the dedication of both organizations to the support for journalism education and practice

in Alabama. ASPA has provided countless students with the

society. Students have learned at a young age the importance of free speech in an informed community. Many of the men and women who work for Alabama newspapers got their start in

journalism through their experiences with ASPA.APA salutes the many faculty, advisers and students who have been part of ASPA in its

coming years as together we strive to make our communities better.

Executive Director, Alabama Press AssociationFelicia Mason

I offer my congratulations to the outstanding teams who have kept ASPA going and thriving almost four-score years. I will not list any of the names except the present team—Meredith Cummings, Jennifer Greer and Marie

Parsons—for fear of leaving someone out. No group in Alabama has done more to prepare young journalists for the larger stage than this group. I am proud to have played a small role, which consisted mainly of not getting in the way for these hard chargers and their predecessors.

Former dean College of Communication and Information Sciences

Ed Mullins

When I began advising publications 10 years ago, I was immediately offered the opportunity to serve in a leadership role with the Alabama

Board and with a timid raised hand, I volunteered to do the job. It was not taboo for me to be a “newbie;” instead I was welcomed with open arms. I went on to serve as president from 2007-2011 – a journey that allowed me to grow as a

give up my role as president, but choking back tears, I said my goodbye to my reign. You see, being a leader for ASPA had become a way of life.

MJE, Adviser, Sparkman High School, Harvest—Former ASPA President Erin Coggins

ASPA really gave the students in my classroom something to look forward to. We started attending in 1997 and were so excited the night before the awards

sleep thinking about the All-Alabama award. When we received our award of Merit, my students and I screamed

like we won an Academy Award or an Emmy. We were proud of ourselves. ASPA gives

students goals and dreams. ASPA gives students more than an award ceremony. ASPA gives students a place to shine and have some fun

together. Those are the two things important to any publication adviser.

Thanks!

Cathy McCandlessCommunication Arts Teacher-Team 8K

Wentzville, MO Middle School

In 1984 when I advised The Eastwood Journal middle school newspaper, Marie Parsons, ASPA coordinator, sent me a note inviting my students and me to the ASPA fall workshop. Early on I attended an adviser’s workshop with then journalism dean Charles Self. I still use a lot of his ideas in my class today. Twenty-seven

years later I still attend ASPA workshops. Parsons is still active serving as a mentor to new journalism teachers. I owe ASPA. Almost everything I know about advising school newspapers and yearbooks comes from attending their events. I encourage advisers to become active in their state (ASPA), regional (SIPA) and national organizations (JEA/NSPA & CSPA). Their workshops help prepare students for college and the world of work and help them publish quality school publications.

Susan NewellMJE, Adviser, Northridge High School Tuscaloosa

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Some of my fondest memories of my years

in collegiate journalism are centered around my

time as director of the Alabama Scholastic Press Association. I

needn’t tell you what a wonderful group of eager students I met and worked with, but I especially

want to salute their wonderful teachers. These women went above and beyond at every turn to

ensure their students had meaningful experiences. I think the thing I’m proudest of is my involvement

with the Alabama Press Association and ASPA. Thanks to Bill Keller, we worked through the APA

means could attend our conventions without charge. These arrangements were made behind the

scenes between APA, the teacher and me, so the needy students’ fellow travelers had no idea they had received the scholarships. For some of these

students, the trip to Tuscaloosa marked one of the

had stayed in motels.Again, my memories of these times are very special.

Kathy Lawrence Retired Director of Student Media

University of Texas-Austin

It was my pleasure to welcome ASPA home in 2007, after its 15-year sojourn around the UA campus. After more than 50 successful years under the wing

greater resource staff was available to handle the burgeoning participation of students and advisers. The organization continued to prosper and moved into events-planning mode for two years in the College of Continuing Studies.

faculty position whose mission is to secure the future of the organization. The baton was passed to Meredith Cummings as the new director and to Jennifer Greer, the new chair of Journalism, both devoted to scholastic journalism education. The departments of Journalism, Telecommunication and Film and Advertising and Public Relations are invested in preparing high school students and advisers for their place in modern media and social involvement.

Loy SingletonDean of the College of Communication and

Information Sciences

The departments of Journalism, Telecommunication and Film and

Advertising and PR are invested in preparing high school students and advisers for their place in modern

media and social involvement.

“”Loy Singleton

Dean, Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication University of Georgia

Culpepper Clark

I watched high school journalism grow and prosper in the ’80s and ’90s when I was a faculty member and later dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences.

Now I view ASPA and its companion, the Minority Journalism Program, from my post in Georgia. I applaud Alabama for its reputation as a scholastic journalism leader in the Southeast. Your fame grows on the national scene, with the appointment of Dr. Jennifer

Greer as chair of the AEJMC teaching committee. She is truly a driving force for quality in secondary education and on the college level.

JEA is proud to have ASPA help sponsor three mentors to new journalism teachers in Alabama. With growing challenges to education, all educators need support in the classroom, particularly those who are new. With the support and assistance of JEA mentors Jo Ann Hagood, Marie Parsons and Nora Stephens,

Linda BarringtonMJE, JEA Mentoring Program co-chair

As a high school student, I was smart enough to attend Alabama Scholastic Press Association events and improve my skills. As a student leader, I was fortunate enough to be its president and Journalist of the Year. As a working journalist, I was honored to be able to speak at its

conferences. As a journalism professor, I am pleased to see how strong it remains and how the state’s brightest

taking part.

Chris RobertsAssistant Professor

Department of Journalism breadth of knowledge as well as their many years of experience as journalism teachers. Members of ASPA form an extended support system that is valuable for teachers everywhere in Alabama. Without ASPA, many teachers and their students would be left high and dry when they are most vulnerable. The JEA Mentoring Program congratulates ASPA on its 75th anniversary.

Congratulations to The Alabama Scholastic Press Association! ASPA has impacted

graduate schools in four different states. I had little idea as to which university I would choose to spend the next few years of my life in doctoral studies. Then I got a phone call from a lady named Kathy Lawrence. She explained that she was the director of the Alabama Scholastic Press Association and that Dr. Dolf Zillmann had approved me to be considered as a graduate assistant to become coordinator of ASPA. Kathy invited me to visit the campus, and a couple of weeks later, my wife and I drove from Nashville to Tuscaloosa. We were impressed with

Kathy, the university and the town, and so the University of Alabama became my graduate-school choice.

I enjoyed teaming up with Kathy in planning the Fall Workshop (aka “The Magical Mystery Tour”), the State Convention and The Long Weekend. Getting to know such sterling advisers as Susan Carraway, Susan Newell, Larry Haynes, Jo Ann Hagood and others was a blessing, as was working with Student Media staffers Joel, Sheila, Ralda and Pam each day.

Kathy accepted a position at Texas in 1994, and we truly missed her wise and practical leadership. But as it turned out, more wonderful experiences with ASPA were yet to come, as I had the pleasure of working with the delightful and dedicated Monica Hill in planning ASPA’s events and recommending her as the next coordinator when I was reassigned to a research assistantship. ASPA was in excellent hands as Monica eventually became director herself.

Two years ago, H. L. Hall, then director of the Tennessee High School Press Association, told me that he was retiring from that position and that he wanted me to become the next director of THSPA at Lipscomb University. I accepted, and

Thanks to everyone!

Jimmy McCollumDirector, Tennessee High School Press Association

Linda Shockley

Technology has changed newsgathering and distribution in nearly mind-boggling ways in the years since ASPA began developing young journalists. Less resistant than their elders, youth

have embraced and harnessed each progressive innovation to advance the reach of journalism, of truth-telling on the campus, around the corner or around the world. While professional media leaders, journalism educators and investors may be at a crossroads pondering which way to go, I believe, as President John F. Kennedy said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” The future is full of possibilities for the Alabama Scholastic Press Association and its members. Many of them, no doubt, will practice and promote journalism on previously inconceivable platforms using currently non-existent tools. But those who do it well will follow the honored traditions of freedom of expression, high ethical standards, fairness and

Deputy Director Dow Jones News Fund

A party I want to attend in High School Journalism Heaven is one where all the campus leaders of Alabama Scholastic Press Association and its forerunners

professor at the University of Minnesota, to tell him that we’d both been directors of the Alabama high school association, 50 years apart.

Ed Bounds about the postwar euphoria that helped put high school media back together again in the 50s. I’d ask Bill Winter and Charles Arrendell how school publications dealt with segregated proms in the ’60s, and, in the ’70s with minority/majority homecoming kings and queens. Marian Huttenstine, my mentor, would remind me about the publication issues of the ’70s: teen pregnancy and motherhood. I came along as director in the ’80s, when high school journalism advisers had an active role in running statewide activities and the University undertook to support increasing demands for exceptional instruction, especially in developing technologies. Succeeding directors I have spoken with often—with humor and pathos—of keeping up with savvy advisers who knew the kinds of statewide conventions/camps/

institutes/workshops/competitions/critiques the University could put together if we just tried hard enough. We’ll all be interested in the years between 2012

reporting. To Meredith and those who follow, keep your eye on the next big event and know you will survive it.

Marie ParsonsDirector Emeritus, ASPA

My favorite memories of my six years working with ASPA (1998-2004) involve the fall “traveling roadshow” during which we loaded up two vans with presentation materials, luggage and four national speakers and traveled typically from Tuscaloosa to Huntsville to Auburn (or Montgomery) to Mobile and back to Tuscaloosa. Monica Hill – and later Andy Duncan -- was in charge of the details, so I had the pleasure

of leading a few sessions here and there as well as driving and being an Alabama tour guide to great visiting advisers/speakers. We were like a troupe of itinerant actors, pulling into town late, spending the night and getting up the next morning to perform. We put on great shows

whether we were performing for hundreds or dozens. The part I enjoyed most was showing and telling our guest speakers from across the

and peach ice cream in Chilton County. We passed row after row of young cotton and soybean plants. And we took little side trips through historic downtown Huntsville, for white barbeque sauce at Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur, to the Maya Linn monument in Montgomery.

During the time I was involved with ASPA, we worked with the legendary Birmingham News editorial page editor Ron Casey to advocate in the state legislature for a free expression bill for high school journalists (albeit unsuccessfully), and established a $2,500 scholarship for the state’s outstanding high

school journalism student. I’ve had the good fortune to get to come back recently and work with Meredith Cummings, and I’m proud to say that ASPA

Paul Isom

Each year when the J.B. Stevenson Scholarship is awarded in Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Alabama Scholastic Press Association acknowledges the accomplishments of the state’s top high school journalist. The scholarship, funded by the state’s professional press association, Alabama Press Association, was established the year before I left Alabama to become director of the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association.

To high school journalists in Alabama, J.B. Stevenson is the name of a scholarship. To those of us who knew him, J.B. Stevenson is the name of a real person, a young man whose plan was to return to his hometown someday and become editor of his family’s newspaper. The Randolph Leader, the weekly newspaper in Roanoke, Ala., has been

fourth. He died in a car accident his senior year of high school.

our high school paper and, more importantly, allowed us high school students in “the back shop” to use all of the equipment. We were entrusted with giant blue Compugraphic machines that magically spit out what we typed.

were called “halftones.” We were all of 15.

I returned to work at the newspaper the summers of my college years. And I often saw a tow-headed, mischievous, energetic boy race through the newsroom on his way to talk with the men who worked in the commercial printing operaton in the back. He

Stevenson, remains editor and publisher of the newspaper, as well as a dear friend. In addition to serving a stint as president of Alabama Press Association, John has also served as president of National Newspaper Association.

The J.B. Stevenson Scholarship acknowledges all that is good and right about community journalism. It acknowledges a family’s commitment to its community, a newspaper’s commitment to young people -- and the hope that we all have for future generations of storytellers.

Alabama Press Association Journalism FoundationJ.B. Stevenson Scholarship

n saw y toHeHe

Monica Hill, former ASPA director

Tiffany SummervilleClay-Chalkville High School2002

Greg BizjakSparkman High School2003

Eric KackerPelham High School2004

Danielle FortnerHoover High School2005

Amanda PetersonVestavia Hills High School2006

Mathew RobertsVestavia Hills High School2007

Amethyst HolmesSparkman High School2008

Ciera Sade’ WadeNorthview High School2009

Megan HagerSparkman High School2010

Alison BartelSparkman High School2011

1975 William F. O’Connor Jr., Field Services, School of Communication1981-1982 Rita Oates, professor of journalism/AHSPA-AJEA liaison1982-1984 Marian Huttenstine, professor of journalism/ASPA coordinator1984-1992 Marie Parsons, graduate assistant & journalism instructor/ASPA director1992-1994 Kathy Lawrence, director, Student Media Programs/ASPA director1992-1993 Suzanne Cambell, graduate assistant/ASPA coordinator1993-1994 Jimmy McCollum, graduate assistant/ASPA coordinator1995-2001 Monica Hill, external relations specialist, Division of Student Affairs/ ASPA director2002-2004 Andy Duncan, assistant director, Office of Student Media/ASPA director 2004-2005 Deidre Stalnaker, assistant director, Office of Student Media/ASPA coordinator2005-2007 Amanda Al-Betar, program coordinator, UA College of Continuing Studies2005-2007 Marissa Reeves, instructor, journalism/public relations, liaison2007-2008 Marie Parsons, emerita, ASPA interim director2008-present Meredith Cummings, journalism instructor/ASPA director

1928-35 Clarence Cason 1935-46 A. Phillips Beedon 1946-66 Ed Bounds 1966-74 William Winter 1974 Frank Deaver 1974-81 Charles Arrendell 1981-85 Charles Self 1985-87 David Sloan (acting)

Journalism Department Chairs1987-91 Jay Black 1991-92 Edward Mullins (acting) 1992-96 Paul Delaney 1996-2004 Edward Mullins 2004-06 Cully Clark (acting) 2006-07 Loy Singleton (acting) 2007-present Jennifer Greer

1927-1992 Department of Journalism1927-1985 Extension Division/Continuing Education/Campus Programs1992-2005 Office of Student Media2005-2007 College of Continuing Studies2007-present Department of Journalism

1928-1945 W.C. Blasingham 1952-1953 Charles A. Cate1945-1946 Cranford H. Burns 1953-1958 Hugh L. Taylor1946-1947 J.E. Williams (acting) 1958-1980 James L. Nisbet1947-1948 Cranford H. Burns 1980-1985 John K. Conroy1948-1949 James F. Caldwell 1982-1985 David Heggem1949-1950 Charles A. Cate

University Cooperating Units

the ARCHIVES

1977 Margaret Simpson Sidney Lanier High School1978 Rabel Steiner Homewood High School1979 Jackie Solomon Tallassee High School Tommy Shovelton Huntsville High School1980 Margaret Renkl Homewood High School1981 Mike Roberts 1982 Chris Roberts Jacksonville High School1983 Sandi Stewart Tuscaloosa County High1984 Not archived1985 Henry Mabry Athens High School1986 Mary Morris Butler High School1987 Beverly Greenwood Grissom High School1988 Tammy Davis Tallassee High School1989 Beth Pugh Huntsville High School1990 Perri Colley Athens High School1991 Jaynae McCord Escambia County High School 1992 Not archived1993 Matthew Wiggins Tallassee High School

ASPA Journalist of the Year 1994 Bonnie Brannon Andalusia High School1995 Jacquelyn C. Wiggins Tallassee High School1996 Brooke Watts Pelham High School1997 Erica Sellers Tallassee High School1998 Andrea Ravenelle Huntsville High School1999 Genny Spurlin Andalusia High School 2000 Rodney Keeton Buckhorn High School2001 Not archived2002 Tiffany Summerville Clay-Chalkville High School2003 Greg Bizjak Sparkman High School2004 Eric Kacker Pelham High School 2005 Danielle Fortner Hoover High School2006 Amanda Peterson Vestavia Hills High School2007 Mathew Roberts Vestavia Hills High School2008 Amethyst Holmes Sparkman High School2009 Haley Herfurth Sparkman High School2010 Megan Hager Sparkman High School2011 Alison Bartel Sparkman High School

Rick Bragg Award for Feature Writing2007 Kathryn Brewer Huntsville High School2008 Amethyst Homes Sparkman High School2009 Aida Noriega Northridge High School Ciera Wade Northridge High School2010 Alicia Perez Sparkman High School2011 Adelaide Beckman Alabama School of Math and Science

Bailey Thomson Award for Editorial Writing2007 Lauren Faraino Vestavia Hills High School2008 Drew Hoover St. James School2009 Olivia Christian Huntsville High School2010 Amy Vu Grissom High School2011 Amiri Lampley Sparkman High School

Adviser of the Year1977 Marjorie F. Carter Tallassee High School1978 Janice Winokur Tuscaloosa Central West1979 Gay Martin Albertville High School1980 Sharyn Gaston Homewood High School1981 Not archived1982 David Robinson Bradshaw High School1983 John Sheffield Tuscaloosa County High1984 Not archived1985 Nora Stephens Huntsville High School1986 Marian Parker Saint James School1987 Janice Starkey Huntsville High School1988 Nora Stephens Huntsville High School1989 Nan Barber Tallassee High School1990 Rita Peterson Athens High School1991 Earlene Hollinger Carver Creative and

Performing Arts Center1991 Travis Burgess Deshler High School

(Arrendell Adviser Award)1992 Not archived1993 Cathy Bearden Pelham High School1994 Susan Caraway Hewitt Trussville Junior

High School

1995 Virginia M. Edwards Notasulga High School1996 Larry Haynes Montevallo High School Susie DeMent Montevallo High School 1997 Susie DeMent Montevallo High School John Garrett Grissom High School1998 Jo Ann Hagood Jackson High School1999 Donna Morgan Opelika High School2000 Cathy McCandless Sparkman High School2001 Cathy McCandless Sparkmen High School2002 Becky Mantooth Hoover High School2003 Erin Coggins Sparkman High School 2004 Cathy Bearden Pelham High School Glenna Weaver Opelika High School 2005 Cynthia Cruce Oak Mountain High School2006 Erin Coggins Sparkman High School 2007 Katy Burnside Pelham High School2008 Susan Newell Northridge High School2009 Melissa Dixon Oak Mountain High School2010 Jody Evans Hillcrest High School2011 Erin Coggins Sparkman High School

1994 Linda Beving Pelham High School1997 Jimmy Bice Shelby County School System1998 Linda Beving Tuscaloosa Central High School1999 Lawrence Carter Not archived2000 Steve Holland Sparkman High School2001 Robert Hagood Jackson High School

Administrator of the Year2002 George Theodore Montevallo High School2003 Steve Holland Sparkman High School2004 Stan Cox Opelika High School2005 Wayne McBride Brookwood High School2006 Manuel Wallace Sparkman High School2011 Rita Thomas Hillcrest High School

Creditsth

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The Crimson WhiteThe campus newspaper since 1894, it is published every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during the academic year.

CorollaThe student yearbook which has captured life at UA for 120 years.

Marr’s Field JournalAn undergraduate literary journal containing student work published each spring.

Southern HistorianA regional journal published once a year by graduate students featuring research in Southeast history.

Black Warrior ReviewA nationally-recognized literary maga-zine published by graduate students twice yearly in the fall and spring.

The UA student radio station that broad-casts 24 hours a day with music from a variety of musical genres and play-by-play of selected UA sports events.

Digital Media A variety of digital experiences that include web page development, data-base construction, Cold Fusion program-ming, smartphone app development and online sales and marketing efforts, like www.ttownliving.ua.edu.

Cassie EdwardsFormerly The Crimson White Advertising Representative (2004-06), and Advertising Manager (2006-07)

“Working in student media helped me emerge as an individual with a focused sense of direction. The training and responsibility gave me balance and helped me discern who I was and what I wanted to do. I couldn’t get that in a classroom.”

Currently an Account Executive for WSMV TV4 in Nashville, TN

And it is not just writing experience. It’s also experience in sales, leadership, time management, interpersonal communications, and a variety of other skills. And the best part is, anyone can get involved – no experience is required. Visit us on the web for more information.

The UA Office of Student Media offers Alabama students an experience unavailable anywhere else, on or off campus:

www.osm.ua.edu

ASPA, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 75TH ANNIVERSARY!

**

A Special Thank You to... Dr. Loy Singleton Dean, College of Communication and Information Sciences Dr. Jennifer Greer Chair, Department of Journalism

Editor: Meredith Cummings

Director Alabama Scholastic Press Association

Historian: Marie Volkert Parsons

Layout & Design: Jessie Hancock Brooke Carbo

of JOURNALISM

Under the leadership of ASPA Director Meredith Cummings, we support fall regional workshops throughout the state, a state convention in Tuscaloosa and camps and summer workshops for middle and high school journalists.

of JOURNALISM offers...

Undergraduate degree programs in general journalism, visual journalism and sports news and information.

Minors in journalism, photojournalism and journalism design.

Two master’s programs to choose from: A two-year research track and a one-year professional track in community journalism in conjunction with The Anniston Star.

The University of Alabama Department of Journalism is honored to be the home of ASPA.

www.alabamapress.org

The Alabama Press Association is a proud supporter of scholastic journalism in Alabama. We congratulate the Alabama Scholastic Press Association on 75 years of service to the state.

Happy 75th Anniversary

POWERING