At a ceremony Saturday, June 4, 2011, at the Executive Mansion in Springfield, the IJEA honored the state’s top high school journalists. At this annual event, co-sponsored by the Illinois Press Foundation, students, their advisers and their families celebrated excellence in scholastic journalism. The keynote speaker was Dave Bakke, a columnist at the State Journal-Register.

(Above) Congratulations to the 2011 All-State Journalism Team, from left Teagan Ferraresi, Hersey HS, adviser Janet Levin; Michaela Eickhoff, Oakland HS, adviser Tim Lee; Robert Jake Hamilton, O’Fallon HS, advisers Kristin Strubhart, Ashlee Heady and Lindsay Kusmierczak; Meagan Flynn, Huntley HS, adviser Dennis Brown; Michael McKenna, Rolling Meadows HS, adviser Stan Zoller; Sydney Scarlatta, University HS-Chicago, adviser Wayne Brasler; Sierra Lowe, Belvidere North HS, adviser Mike Doyle.

(Above) Congratulations to the Illinois Journalist of the Year Alexandria Johnson of Rolling Meadows HS and runner-up Faiaz Khan (left) of University HS-Chicago and Jake Hamilton of O’Fallon Township HS. Their 
advisers are Stan Zoller, Wayne Brasler and Kristin Strubhart, Ashlee Heady and Lindsay Kusmierczak.

(Above) Tina Cantrell, principal at John Hersey High School, was honored as Administrator of the Year by the IJEA. Former IJEA Executive Secretary James Tidwell, introduced Cantrell at a ceremony June 4 at the Executive Mansion in Springfield, and cited her for her commitment to a free student press at Hersey. She was nominated by adviser Janet Levin.

2011-2012 IJEA Membership Application

The results of the 2011 IJEA newspaper contest were announced Friday, May 6, at the IJEA Advisers’ Breakfast at the IHSA state journalism finals.

U-High Midway from University High School in Chicago, The MHS Mirror from Mattoon and The Voice from Huntley took first-place honors in their enrollment categories. Their advisers are Wayne Brasler, Amanda Bright and Dennis Brown.

For individual and overall results, click here.

Congratulations to IJOY Alexandria Johnson, of Rolling Meadows High School, for being named one of six runners-up for the Journalist of the Year at the closing ceremonies in Anaheim. She will receive a $2,000 scholarship for the work as a high school journalist. Her adviser is Stan Zoller. The JOY was Victoria Ison of Bloomington North in Indiana.

Johnson also received an honorable mention in News Writing in the Write-Off competition. Other Write-Off recognition for Illinois scholastic journalists include:

Congratulations to IJEA board member Brenda Field for her Special Recognition Award last week in Anaheim. Here she receives the award from JEA secretary Linda Drake (left).

Congratulations to IJEA board member Cathy Wall for receiving her MJE.

Congratulations to IJOY Alexandria Johnson, of Rolling Meadows High School, for being named one of six runners-up for the Journalist of the Year at the closing ceremonies in Anaheim. She will receive a $2,000 scholarship for the work as a high school journalist. Her adviser is Stan Zoller.
The JOY was Victoria Ison of Bloomington North in Indiana.

For nearly 20 years, EIU has been the host of a FREE two-week residential workshop that introduces students to the world of journalism.
Applications are due May 1 for this year’s workshop, which will run June 19-July 2.

For more information contact Sally Renaud at serenaud@eiu.edu.

The application and additional information can be downloaded here.

Randy Swikle congratulates 2011 Illinois Journalist of the Year, Alexandria Johnson

Congratulations to Alexandria Johnson, 2011 Illinois Journalist of the Year, and her adviser Stan Zoller.

Illinois JEA State Director Randy Swikle made the presentation at Rolling Meadows HS Wednesday, March 9, 2011.

Runner up: Faiaz Khan of University of Chicago HS; adviser: Wayne Brasler. Honorable mention: Jake Hamilton of O’Fallon; adviser: Kristin Strubhart.

All will be honored June 4, 2011, at the executive mansion in Springfield. Congratulations!

Deadline for entries for the 2010-2011 IJEA newspaper contest is 
coming up soon! Enter one or all 12 individual categories. Show your 
students' great work. IJEA members pay just $10 to enter. Download the 
entry form here.

Good luck!

Nominations are being sought for your most valuable student media 
staffers for the 2011 All-State Journalism Team.
Each IJEA member can nominate up to two students.

Download the forms now! Questions? E-mail Sally renaud at 
serenaud@eiu.edu. Good luck!

All-State Journalism Team

Adviser Nomination Form

All-State Journalism Team Student Form