VHSL's involvement in journalism programs

VHSL began in 1913 when the Washington and Jefferson Societies at the University of Virginia decided to sponsor a debate league for area high schools. Programs expanded quickly, and 87 years later the League offers state-wide programs in 24 sports (12 for girls and 12 for boys) and in eight academic activities (newspaper, magazine, yearbook, creative writing, theatre, forensics, debate and scholastic bowl).

Journalism programming began 30 years ago after the Southern Interscholastic Press Association moved from Virginia to Georgia and later to South Carolina. The League offers four programs for student journalism.

The Fall Publications Workshop attracts nearly 1,000 students and advisers to Virginia Commonwealth University each year in late October for more than 125 courses covering every aspect of scholastic journalism for newspapers, magazines and yearbooks, taught by approximately 50 of the top journalism teachers in the country. The two-day program on a Saturday and Sunday also features Write-off competition, a swap shop and oral critiques sponsored by VAJTA, social interaction and an awards program.

The Col. Charles Savedge $500 Scholarship goes to Virginia's Student Journalist of the Year. Each VHSL school is urged to nominate its outstanding student journalist, and a committee evaluates those candidates on the basis of an essay, a letter of recommendation and two samples of work. Journalism students are also eligible for the League's Achievement Award $1,000 scholarships for contributions to academic activities. One award is presented in each of the League's three enrollment groups to a student involved in one or more academic activities sponsored by VHSL.

VHSL offers a publication evaluation service for member schools. Publications are sent to out-of-state leaders in scholastic journalism for critiques covering the publications' strengths and weaknesses, recognized by awards signifying levels of achievement against published standards: Trophy Class, First Place, Second Place, Third Place. Publications receiving five Trophy Class Awards within a period of no more than seven years receive the Charles Savedge Award for Sustained Excellence in Scholastic Journalism.

The VHSL-VCU Journalism Partnership offers training for teachers and advisers in wide-ranging courses covering all aspects of scholastic journalism. Two-day, one-credit courses are offered during the school year and week-long, three-credit courses during the summer. Reduced tuition is made possible through the partnership.

The Scholastic Publications Advisory Committee is composed of six active advisers representing newspapers, magazines and yearbooks in AAA, AA and A schools on rotating three-year terms. While VAJTA supports a number of VHSL programs, it is an independent organization. The VHSL assistant director responsible for journalism programs sits on the VAJTA Board of Directors as a non-voting member.

Courses and dates for the VHSL-VCU Journalism Partnership can be found in the Dates and Deadlines section.

For more information, see the VHSL Web site at http://www.vhsl.org. In addition, complete information about VHSL activities is printed in League Notes, published eight times a year.

VHSL's 2008 Student Journalist of the Year is Hallie Colegrive, a senior at J.E.B. Stuart High School in Falls Church adn and editor-in-chief of the Raider's Digest. For complete details see the VHSL press release VHSL Student Journalist of the Year

VHSL's 2005-2006 Creative Writing Contest winners.

VHSL's Championship Jouralism Workshop - Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions? Contact Lisa R. Giles at 434-977-8475 or lgiles@vhsl.org