Stepping down from KSPA Board

After three terms and six years, I am stepping down from the Kansas Scholastic Press Association Board of Directors.

I didn’t arrive at this decision lightly. I was proud to be on the KSPA Board. After all, KSPA serves a vital role in the state as it supports Kansas student journalists and gives them the opportunities to compete and be recognized for their skills. However, I didn’t feel like I was giving the organization the time and effort it deserves.

I attribute this to taking on my role as assistant professor of media at Sterling College. That, combined with continuing to advise the yearbook and magazine at Sterling High School, keeps me busy. I have meetings at various times and a class schedule that has often prevented me from keeping up with my duties.

It was an honor to represent Area 1 (formerly known as Area 5), which served the western half of Kansas. Those schools deserve an engaged and active representative. I wasn’t providing that, so I am getting out of the way in order for someone else to take up the mantle.

This doesn’t mean I am completely walking about from the organization, though. I will still be an active member, and my students will continue to compete in the contests and take part in the conferences. I would even love to be able to go speak at the conferences and lead various session while I’m there. Furthermore, if there is anything I can do as a non-board member, I would be happy to do it if called upon.

I will always be an advocate for KSPA. Journalism serves such a vital role in our society, and student journalism provides a key entry into the world of media. It must be supported at all times and however possible.

In short, it is a fantastic organization, and I have been a part of it ever since I became a high school journalism teacher. I have seen my students leap for joy at winning a contest, nearly cry at a heart-breaking loss, and come away from a conference jazzed with excitement and new knowledge. I have networked with incredible educators from around the state, and I have learned so much. The benefits of this organization are truly unlimited.

I’m sure I will miss being so intimately involved with the inner-workings of the organization and getting to see the other board members at the meetings, but I know whoever takes my place will do great work. Probably better than I did this last year.

So, to the board and those I represented, farewell and thank you for a great time. I won’t ever forget it. I will see you around the scholastic journalism world.

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