The Minnesota High School Press Association has presented its 2010 Journalism Educator of the Year honor to Lori Keekley of St. Louis Park High School and adviser to the Echo newspaper. Keekley was recognized during the newspaper class at the school on May 24, 2010. She has been teaching at St. Louis Park High School since 2002.

Selection criteria for the award include teaching/advising preparation, experience and ability; relationships with students and others; contributions to the profession; promoting appreciation for journalism and as a career; and support for the First Amendment.

The newspaper program at St. Louis Park has long been among the top in Minnesota and in the nation. The Echo is an avenue for free expression for students and a vehicle showcasing outstanding reporting, writing and design both in print and online. Recent awards for the staff of the Echo include Second Place in the Best of Show contest at the national convention in Washington, D.C., in November 2009. In 2007, the paper was a finalist for the top national award, the Pacemaker, from the National Scholastic Press Association, and in 2006, it earned a Gold Crown from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Individual students have also earned numerous honors.

One of her colleagues, Laurie Hansen of Stillwater Area High School, the 2008 Journalism Educator of the Year, nominated Keekley for the award. “It has been satisfying and exciting to share time with a person of her caliber and talent, and I am merely one teacher of many who has had the privilege of working with her.” Other journalism teachers from around Minnesota shared the praise for Keekley.

Keekley is an accomplished educator and recently earned certification as a Master Journalism Educator through the Journalism Education Association. She teaches editorial leadership at the summer workshop sponsored by the National Scholastic Press Association at the University of Minnesota. She has also taught workshops and convention seminars around the nation.

Keekley holds a master’s degree in journalism education through the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University, where she was a copy editor for the newspaper and editor in chief of the yearbook. She taught high school journalism for three years in Indiana, before joining the staff of the National Scholastic Press Association in Minneapolis as its director of national contests and critiques from 1998-2000.

Congratulations to the students selected as the 2010 MHSPA North Star Editors, North Star Journalists and Distinguished Journalists. The MHSPA North Star Awards recognize student journalists who have excelled as journalists, leaders and scholars.

North Star Editors served on their publication’s staff for at least two years, including one year in an editorial position, and achieved at least a 3.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

North Star Journalists served on their publication’s staff for at least one year and achieved at least a 3.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Distinguished Journalists served on their publication’s staff for at least two years and achieved at least a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

2010 North Star Editors:

Alana Patrick, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Anne Hart, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Devon Sandberg, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Katie Sauer, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Laura Gengler, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Leah Sorensen, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Liga Krievans, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Mackenzie Pacovsky, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Maddie Butler, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Molly Placeway, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Rosalind Mowitt, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

2010 North Star Journalists:

Allison Wang, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Breanna Schlegel, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Brigid Kelly, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Edward Xie, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Holly Johnson, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Jennifer Gardner, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Lyly Nguyen, Columbia Heights HS, Columbia Heights, Minn.

Meera Goswitz, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Mollie Day, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Rachel Kinney, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Rebecca Xu, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Rob Wietecha, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

2010 Distinguished Journalists:

Alex Wieber, Columbia Heights HS, Columbia Heights, Minn.

Amy Palmby, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Andrew Melroe, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Anna Eskola, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Anthony Sicoli, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Ashley Engstrom, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Averi Haugesag, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Ben Paulus, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Brian Patten, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Cristina Anfang, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Gabbi Stienstra, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Genevieve Cossette, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Grace Haugen, Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis, Minn.

Hayley Trace, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Iman Jafri, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Jordan Wipf, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Joseph Goldfarb, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Joseph Nelson, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Julia Mitrenga, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Katelyn Schnobrich, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Katrina Harper, Columbia Heights HS, Columbia Heights, Minn.

Kelly Uhrich, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Lauren Panzer, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Libby Kruse, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Liz Hawkins, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Madeline Karon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Maggie Ellis, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Marissa Hernandez, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Matthew Mittelsteadt, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Melinda Mataya, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Nadja Leonhard-Hooper, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Naja Harvey, Orono HS, Long Lake, Minn.

Nicholas Sinn, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Nicole Trummer, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Rachel Wilensky, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, St. Paul, Minn.

Samantha Anderson, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Scott Sikich, Eastview HS, Apple Valley, Minn.

Lauren Dezenski of Eden Prairie High School has been named the 2010 Minnesota State Journalist of the Year. Dezenski and 35 other State Journalists of the Year were recognized at the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Portland in April. All 36 students competed for the National Journalist of the Year award. A listing of all state award recipients can be found here.

Laurie Hansen, director of the Journalism Educators of Minnesota and judging coordinator of this year’s Minnesota Journalist of the Year contest, provides the following report:

Lauren Dezenski, editor-in-chief of The Eyrie at Eden Prairie High School is the Minnesota State Journalist of the Year. Dezenski has been involved with The Eyrie since her freshman year, but her first paper, she said, dates back to the time her family’s sink clogged and overflowed, and she felt compelled to tell the story to her family members. The then-third-grader grabbed her gel pens and started her reporting career.

Dezenski knew she wanted to be a journalist from that early age. She said instead of pretending with her playmates, she preferred listening to adults. “Their conversations were infinitely more interesting, plus I always learned new information.” She wanted to be the one people went to for information. Dezenski said what validates her as a journalist is when “the staff feels the same passion for journalism that I do and is successful because of it.”

Dezenski plans to study journalism and political science, and she wants to focus on covering politics. Her dream career is to be the White House Press Secretary, and she also plans to pursue an editorship of a major publication or magazine.

In addition to her duties as editor-in-chief, Dezenski also has a weekly column Generation E.P. in the Eden Prairie News.

The second place winner was Chelsey Falzone, co-editor-in-chief of the Pony Express newspaper from Stillwater Area High School. Third place honors went to Alexandra Schwalbe, editor of The Crier at St. Francis High School and Katie Rawls, copy editor for the St. Louis Park High School Echo received Honorable Mention.

Photo: Courtesy/Dezenski, pictured center

Entry is now open for the 2010 MHSPA Gold Medallions, recognizing outstanding work by Minnesota high school journalists. Download the entry form here.

MHSPA member newspapers, literary magazines, yearbooks, broadcasts and online publications are eligible to enter. All entries must be received by Sept. 10, 2010 (Web sites have a deadline of June 15, 2010). Mail to: MHSPA Gold Medallions, 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 121, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Winners will be recognized at the MHSPA State Journalism Convention at the University of Minnesota on Oct. 12, 2010.

Entry is also open for the 2010 MHSPA North Star Awards, formerly known as the All-Minnesota Awards. Download the entry form here.

Students on the staff of an MHSPA member publication are eligible for the North Star Editor, North Star Journalist or Distinguished Journalist awards. Entries must be received by May 7, 2010. Mail to: MHSPA North Star Awards, 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 121, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Qualified entrants will be mailed a certificate.

The 2010 JEM/MHSPA All-State Publications Contest is now open. Download the entry form here.

All high school publication staffs in Minnesota are encouraged to enter. Entries must be submitted by Sept. 10, 2010 (Web sites have a deadline of June 15, 2010). Mail to: Laurie Hansen, Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Blvd., Stillwater, MN 55082. Winners will be recognized at the MHSPA State Journalism Convention on Oct. 12, 2010.

Nominations for the Minnesota Journalism Educator of the Year are now open. You can nominate yourself or one of your colleagues from around the state. Entries must be received by April 16.

Download the form here

Send all materials to: Minnesota Journalism Educator of the Year, 2221 University Ave. SE, Suite 121, Minneapolis, MN 55414. E-mail Logan Aimone with questions at logan@studentpress.org.

The winners have been posted on StarTribune.com for the 2010 MHSPA/Guthrie Theater Event. View them here.

Questions about the event details may be directed to Laurie Hansen, Journalism Educators of Minnesota director and the event coordinator, at hansenl@stillwater.k12.mn.us.

From the Minnesota High School Press Association Minnesota Wild student media event held Jan. 26, 2010 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Broadcast winner: Luke Braun & Ryan Linne, Lakeville South High School.

Story winner: Ryan Williamson, Eden Prairie High School.
Wild Story Winner 2010

Photo winner: Maddie Butler, St. Paul Academy and Summit School.

Winners have been invited to attend the March 14 Minnesota Wild game and sit with the professional press.

Download the entry form PDF

Minnesota High School Press Association and Journalism Educators of Minnesota, in cooperation with the Guthrie Theater, will hold a review writing contest on Feb. 24, 2010, at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Students selected to participate in this contest will have the opportunity to attend and report on a performance of “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare on the Wurtele Thrust Stage, tour the theater facilities, learn from a professional arts editor/writer and write a review of the performance on deadline.

Participants will meet in the theater lobby at 9 a.m. on Feb. 24.

Interested writers should submit two published story clips (preferably reviews) of at least 250 words, along with a brief résumé detailing staff experience and the entry form below, by Jan. 29, 2010.

Twenty-five selected participants will be contacted and given final details concerning the contest by Feb. 10, 2010. Each participant must pay a $30 fee to cover admission and lunch. Fees will be due by Feb. 17. Do not mail entry fee with application. Advisers may reserve tickets to accompany their selected students.

The winner will have his or her story published on the MHSPA Web site. Direct questions to Laurie Hansen, event coordinator, at hansenl (at) stillwater.k12.mn.us or (651) 351-8128.

Download the entry form PDF

Download the entry form PDF

Minnesota High School Press Association, in cooperation with the Minnesota Wild, will hold a sports writing, photography and broadcast contest on Jan. 26, 2010, at the Xcel Energy Center. This date is subject to change.

Students selected to participate in this contest will have the opportunity to attend and report on a Minnesota Wild practice session, interview team officials and/or members (to be determined) and write a story or submit photos on deadline.

Interested writers should submit two story clips of at least 250 words, along with a brief résumé detailing staff experience and the entry form (download the entry form PDF), by Dec. 31, 2009. Photographers will send three photos, a résumé and the form. Broadcast teams will be made up of a photojournalist and a reporter. To qualify, broadcasters will send one video example of their work, résumés and the entry form. Twenty-five finalists (and as many as five broadcast teams) will be contacted and given final details concerning the contest by Jan. 15, 2010.

Questions regarding this contest? Please call Tim Dorway, event coordinator, at (507) 475-1288.

The following award winners were announced at the MHSPA State High School Journalism Convention, Oct. 20, 2009, at the University of Minnesota:

BEST OF SHOW

Newspapers
First Place: The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Second Place: The Current, Lakeville South HS
Third Place: The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS
Fourth Place: Knight Errant, Benilde-St. Margaret’s HS
Fifth Place: Heights Herald, Columbia Heights HS
Sixth Place: The Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS
Seventh Place: The Crier, St. Francis HS
Eighth Place: The Southerner, South HS

Yearbooks
First Place: Kabekonian, Stillwater Area HS
Second Place: Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Third Place: Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Fourth Place: Antler, Minnehaha Academy
Fifth Place: Tiger, Albert Lea HS

Literary Magazines
First Place: I-Mag, Albert Lea HS

Websites
First Place: Knight Errant, Benilde-St. Margaret’s HS
Second Place: The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS

GOLD MEDALLION AWARDS

Magazine Art/Illustration
First Place: Meagan Hickman, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Second Place: Alex Swenson, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Katherine Whisler, Voices, Eastview HS

Magazine Cover Design
First Place: Alex Doty, Voices, Eastview HS

Magazine Photograph
First Place: Joanna Mendelsohn, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Second Place: Ashley Stewart, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Third Place: Kathryn Long, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Magazine Poem
First Place: Emily Smith, Voices, Eastview HS
Second Place: Jillian Ashenbrener, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Noah Shavit-Lonstein, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Magazine Short Story
First Place: Chloe Johnson, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Second Place: Hayley Bemel, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Vincent Cheng, Voices, Eastview HS

Magazine Spread Design
First Place: Matt Ebeling, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
First Place: Ashley Stewart, Meagan Hickman, Chelsea LeBrun, Ashley Wieland, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Second Place: Ashley Stewart, Meagan Hickman, Chelsea LeBrun, Ashley Wieland, i-Mag, Albert Lea HS
Third Place: Kate Fridley, Voices, Eastview HS
Honorable Mention: Rosalind Mowitt, Art and Literature, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Newspaper Center Spread Design
First Place: Sam Daub, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Second Place: Zoe Hernandez, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Third Place: Miranda Cole, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS
Honorable Mention: Sam Daub, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Christina Xia, Viewer, Mounds View HS

Newspaper Editorial Cartoon
First Place: Lester DiLorenzo, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Alex Olevitch, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Third Place: Sadie Lanoete, The Anchor, Southwest HS
Honorable Mention: Cassie Ahiers, Viewer, Mounds View HS

Newspaper Editorial/Opinion Column
First Place: Tim Scallon, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Elizabeth Rukavina, Talon, Minnehaha Academy
Third Place: William Cramer, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Honorable Mention: Leah Sorensen, Rubicon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Newspaper Feature Photo
First Place: Joe Szczepanski, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Sarah Ramsey, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Annie Wachutka, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Zoe Prinds-Flash, Southerner, South HS

Newspaper Feature Story
First Place: Molly Hensley-Clancy, Andy Keefe, Southerner, South HS
Second Place: Jenny Kaczynski, Viewer, Mounds View HS
Third Place: Chelsie Luna, Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS
Honorable Mention: Alana Patrick, Talon, Minnehaha Academy
Honorable Mention: Nadja Leonard Hooper, Rubicon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School

Newspaper News Photo
First Place: Mark Vancleave, Southerner, South HS
Second Place: Adrianna Jackson, The Heights Herald, Columbia Heights HS
Third Place: Meagan Hickman, Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS

Newspaper News Story
First Place: Sam Daub, Brie Kelly, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Second Place: Anthony Sicoli, Talon, Minnehaha Academy
Third Place: Maddie Butler, Rubicon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Honorable Mention: Brigid Kelly, Talon, Minnehaha Academy

Newspaper Page One Design
First Place: Mitch Baker, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Mitch Baker, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Third Place: Brad Palmer, Joel Morehouse, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS
Honorable Mention: Clara Bergene, The Heights Herald, Columbia Heights HS

Newspaper Review
First Place: Joey Johnson, Quill, Robbinsdale Cooper HS
Second Place: Zach Pressman, Rubicon, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Jared Jensen, Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS
Honorable Mention: Erin Byrne, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Honorable Mention: Anthony Sicoli, Talon, Minnehaha Academy

Newspaper Single-page Design
First Place: Emily Schrivuar, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Second Place: Mitch Baker, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Third Place: Nick Veazie, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Honorable Mention: Sam Daub, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Nick Veazie, Hannah Daly, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS

Newspaper Sports Photo
First Place: Ian Jentz, The Anchor, Southwest HS
Second Place: Noah Christopherson, Ahlahasa, Albert Lea HS
Third Place: Maggie Lane, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Lauren Dezenski, Eyrie, Eden Prairie HS
Honorable Mention: Dan Hanson, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS

Newspaper Sports Story
First Place: Harrison McLean, Stephanie Ritchie, The Echo, St. Louis Park HS
Second Place: Walker James, Viewer, Mounds View HS
Third Place: Chelsey Falzone, Pony Express, Stillwater HS
Honorable Mention: Demtria Dyer, The Heights Herald, Columbia Heights HS

Website General Excellence
First Place: Buffalo High School, The Hoofprint, Buffalo HS

Yearbook Academic/Clubs Copy
First Place: Jake Dooley, Tom Polzine, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Second Place: Minnie Ostvig, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Joe Buccholz, Sam Schaust, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Alana Patrick, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Feature Copy
First Place: Monica Schoberg, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Second Place: Joel Morehouse, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Linda Neblett, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Jessica Kramar, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Stefanie Lim, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Feature Photo
First Place: Liga Krievans, Antler, Minnehaha Academy
Second Place: Anna Bees, Ibid, St. Paul Academy and Summit School
Third Place: Noah Christopherson, Tiger, Albert Lea HS
Honorable Mention: Sarah Ramsey, Tatanka, Buffalo HS

Yearbook Sports Copy
First Place: Sophie Jundt, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Second Place: Dave Mylrea, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Third Place: Gabbi Stienstra, Antler, Minnehaha Academy
Honorable Mention: Meera Goswitz, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Sports Photo
First Place: Michael McNelly, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Second Place: Joel Morehouse, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Matt Ebeling, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Honorable Mention: Katie Sauer, Antler, Minnehaha Academy
Honorable Mention: Liga Krievans, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Spread Design
Second Place: Dani Krolak, Tatanka, Buffalo HS
Third Place: Ashley Loeffler, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Amanda Squire, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Honorable Mention: Jill Jensen, Tiger, Albert Lea HS

Yearbook Theme Copy
First Place: Ashley Loeffler, Amanda Squire, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Second Place: Lindsay Olson, Antler, Minnehaha Academy

Yearbook Theme/Concept Package
First Place: Chelsea LeBrun, Ashley Wieland, Tiger, Albert Lea HS
Second Place: Ashley Loeffler, Leah Olson, Katie Potvin, Rebelation, Champlin Park HS
Third Place: Katie Sauer, Antler, Minnehaha Academy