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 October 10, 2009. You may duplicate as many forms as necessary.
DOUGLAS S. FREEMAN AWARD RECIPIENTS
1993
Melody Crawley, Bassett H.S., Bassett
Wendy LaRue, West Springfield H.S., Springfield1994
JoAnn Wright, Castlewood H.S., Castlewood1997
Margo Tyree, Fairfax H.S.,Fairfax
Neil French, Fairfax H.S.,Fairfax1998
Kim Epps, Robinson Secondary School, Fairfax
Joyce Noell, Salem H.S., Salem
Becky Sipos, McLean H.S., McLean
Mary Kay Downes, Chantilly H.S., Chantilly1999
Pam Clarke, Halifax County Middle School, South Boston
Brooke Nelson, West Springfield H.S. Springfield
Lois Page, Robinson Secondary School, Fairfax
Alan Weintraut, Annandale H.S., Annandale2000
Bryan Emmerson, Salem H.S., Salem
Dan Weintraub, Robert E. Lee H.S., Springfield
VIRGINIA GAZETTE AWARD RECIPIENTS
1993
John Harocopos, Washington-Lee H.S., Arlington
Hyte Garland Smith, Essex H.S., Tappahannock
Mary Jane Tolley, J. R. Tucker H.S., Richmond1994
Sandra L. Ferguson, Cave Spring H.S., Roanoke
Thomas G. Taylor, Waynesboro H.S., Waynesboro1995
Dott VanDervort, Poquoson H.S., Poquoson
Mark VanDervort, Poquoson H.S., Poquoson1996
Bernard Leigg, George Washington H.S., Danville1998
Roy Martin, Patrick Henry H.S., Roanoke
Sunny Reed, Thomas Dale H.S., Chester1999
Vicky Cline, King William H.S., King William
Ray Frantz, John Handley H.S., Winchester
Kris Leedom, Edison H.S., Alexandria2000
Linda Cobb, Bayside H.S., Virginia Beach
Fran Sharer, Green Run H.S., Virginia Beach
THOMAS JEFFERSON AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN JOURNALSIM EDUCATION RECIPIENTS
1993
Huldah "HUD" Clark, retired, Langley H.S., Langley
Joel Grimm, deceased
Carol Lange, Thomas Jefferson H.S. for Science and Technology Alexandria
Betty Morton, Virginia H.S., Bristol
Col. Charles E. Savedge, deceased
Bert Smith, retired, Hampton-Virginia Beach1994
Richard Fitz, retired, Halifax County H.S., Halifax
Dr. J. Patrick McCarthy, Lake Braddock Secondary School,1995
Martha Akers, Loudoun Valley H.S., Purcellville
Michael Hoover, George Mason H.S., Falls Church
Sue Kulesher, Thomas Jefferson H.S. for Science and Technology, Alexandria
Anne Webster, Woodbridge Senior H.S. Woodbridge1996
Sandra Ferguson, retired, Cave Spring
Nancy Patterson, retired, Roanoke1997
Alma Blythe, Great Bridge H.S., Chesapeake
George Crutchfield, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Naomi Dixon, Chantilly H.S. Chantilly
Wilma Wirt, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond1998
Marie Harris, George Washington H.S., Danville
Linda Mercer, Halifax County H.S., Halifax
Steve Row, Richmond Newspapers, Inc., Richmond
Phyllis Zorn, William Byrd H.S., Vinton2000
Sharon Condoulis, VHSL program assistant for academic activities, Charlottesville
Don Humbertson, Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax
VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF JOURNALISM TEACHERS AND ADVISORS AWARD RECIPIENTS
1993
Richmond Newspapers, Inc.1997
Free-Lance Star, Fredericksburg
Student Press Law Center, Arlington