Tag: Journalism

Keller, Austin receive awards at journalism convention

In November, journalism teacher Ellen Austin and upper school head Butch Keller, along with senior Alex Youn and junior Michael Sikand, traveled to Indianapolis for the 2016 National High School Journalism Convention. Keller, who in August was named the Journalism Education Association’s administrator of the year, attended the conference to receive the award. Austin was recognized for winning the National Scholastic Press Association’s Pioneer Award.

There was plenty for students to see and do as well. “There was a multitude of advisors, teachers, administrators and professionals at the conference giving presentations and workshops on various topics regarding high school journalism,” said Sikand. “Given my position as social media editor of our online site [www.harkeraquila.com], I took interest in one seminar, where a marketing professional spoke to us on how to give an online news site a distinctive brand.”

In addition to bolstering his existing skill set, Sikand said he also learned new methods for reaching online audiences with various tools and branding techniques.

December 6, 2016Tags: Journalism

Journalism Director Wins NSPA Pioneer Award

The National Scholastic Press Association recently named upper school journalism teacher Ellen Austin one of this year’s Pioneer Award winners. Considered the NSPA’s highest honor awarded to journalism educators, the Pioneer Award recognizes “individuals who make substantial contributions to high school publications and journalism programs outside of their primary employment,” according to the NSPA website.

Austin, a journalism teacher for more than 15 years, has served on the national board of directors for the Journalism Education Association as well as on the regional board for Northern California. In 2006, she was among the first winners of the JEA’s Rising Star Award, and was named Educator of the Year in 2011 by the California Journalism Education Coalition.

Key among Austin’s accomplishments are diversity initiatives meant to bring more voices to student journalism that have traditionally not been represented. These initiatives have been featured in collegiate research and textbooks covering the topic of diversity in student journalism.

September 20, 2016Tags: Faculty, Journalism