In fulfilling its purpose as an advocate for scholastic journalism, the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers recognizes outstanding journalism teachers, publications advisers and other individuals who have made significant contributions to journalism education in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Douglas S. Freeman Award recognizes significant contribution to the commonwealth’s publications and to journalism education. This award honors teachers who have devoted a minimum of five years to the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers or to enhancing journalism education of Virginia school media staff members.

The Virginia Gazette Award recognizes individuals who have contributed ten years or more of continued service to journalism education and publications advising. Although their publications may not have won the highest awards, these advisers have consistently maintained journalism standards, sett ing high goals for themselves and their staff s.

The Thomas Jefferson Award for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Education recognizes advisers and others who have made significant contributions to scholastic journalism throughout their careers.

The VAJTA Award recognizes organizations that have furthered scholastic journalism throughout their careers.

The VAJTA Administrator’s Award recognizes those Virginia administrators who support their school’s advisers and media staff s in producing quality publications in accordance with sound journalistic practices and rights.

Nominations for these awards may come from school principals, media staff members, the VHSL Publications Advisory Committee or fellow advisers and teachers. A maximum of four awards in each category will be presented each year.

To nominate an individual(s) or organization for one or more awards, complete the VAJTA Awards Nomination Form and return by September 15, 2006. You may duplicate as many forms as necessary.

Previous recipients of the awards are:

The Douglas S. Freeman Award
Pam Clark, Halifax County Middle School, South Boston
Melody Crawley, Bassett H.S.
Mary Kay Downes, Chantilly H.S.
Bryan Emmerson, Salem H.S., Salem
Kim Epps, Robinson Secondary School, Fairfax
Neil French, Fairfax H.S.
Wendy LaRue, West Springfield H.S., Springfield
Brooke Nelson, West Springfield H.S., Springfield
Joyce Noell, Salem High School, Salem
Lois Page, Robinson Secondary School, Fairfax
Becky Sipos, McLean H.S.
Margo Tyree, Fairfax H.S.
Dan Weintraub, Robert E. Lee H.S., Springfield
Alan Weintraut, Annandale, H.S.
JoAnn Wright, Castlewood H.S.

The Virginia Gazette Award
Vicky Cline, King William H.S.
Linda Cobb, Bayside H.S.
Sandra L. Ferguson, Cave Spring H.S., Roanoke
John Harocopos, Washington-Lee H.S., Arlington
Ray Frantz, John Handley H.S., Winchester
Hyte Garland Smith, Essex H.S., Tappahannock
Kris Leedom, Edison H.S., Alexandria
Bernard Leigg, George Washington H.S., Danville
Roy Martin, Patrick Henry H.S., Roanoke
Sunny Reed, Thomas Dale H.S., Chester
Fran Sharer, Green Run H.S., Virginia Beach
Thomas G. Taylor, Waynesboro H.S.
Mary Jane Tolley, Tucker H.S., Richmond
Dott VanDervort, Poquoson H.S.
Mark VanDervort, Poquoson H.S.

The Thomas Jefferson Award
Martha Akers, Loudoun Valley H.S., Purcellville
Alma Blythe, Great Bridge H.S., Chesapeake
Hud Clarke, retired, Langley H.S. and Virginia Beach
Sharon Condoulis, VHSL program assistant, Charlottesville
George Crutchfield, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Naomi Dixon, Chantilly H.S.
Richard Fitz, retired, Halifax
Sandra Ferguson, retired, Cave Spring
Joel Grimm, deceased
Marie Harris, George Washington H.S., Danville
Michael Hoover, George Mason H.S., Falls Church
Don Humbertson, FCPS English Language Arts Specialist, Fairfax
Sue Kulesher, Thomas Jefferson H.S. for Science and Technology, Alexandria
Carol Lange, Thomas Jefferson H.S. for Science and Technology, Alexandria
J. Patrick McCarthy, Lake Braddock Secondary, Burke
Linda Mercer, Halifax H.S., South Boston
Betty Morton, Virginia H.S., Bristol
Steve Row, Richmond Newspaper, Inc.
Col. Charles E. Savedge, deceased
Nancy Patterson, retired, Roanoke
Bert Smith, retired, Hampton-Virginia Beach
Anne Webster, Woodbridge Senior H.S.
Wilma Wirt, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Phyllis Zorn, William Byrd H.S., Vinton

The VAJTA Award
Free-Lance Star, Fredericksburg
Richmond Newspapers, Inc.
Student Press Law Center, Arlington

Review VAJTA Adviser Award recipients by year of presentation.

VAJTA Adviser Award nomination form

Nominations for these awards may come from school principals, publications staff members, the VHSL Publications Advisory Committee or fellow advisers. If you wish to nominate an individual or an organization for one of these awards, complete the Nomination Form by September 15 and send to:

Awards will be presented at the annual VHSL fall workshop.