Today we focus on the Evergreen State, Washington.

. Programming
1. J Day West
2. J Day East
3. WJEA Summer Camp
4. WJEA Spring conference
5. Adobe Trainings
6. Coming soon….WJEA adviser’s retreat
7. WJEA Program Membership….WJEA as CTSO
. JEA Award Winners.
8. 2012 Administrator of the Year: Susan Enfield, superintendent of schools, Highline Public Schools, Burien, WA
9. 2023 Carl Towley Award: Fern Valentine
10. 2021 Diversity Award: Teresa Scribner, CJE, Cleveland STEM High School, Seattle, WA
11. 2014 Diversity Award & Student Journalist Impact Award: Arrow newsmagazine, Renton High School (Vanessa Abenojar, Editor; Derek Smith, Adviser)
12. 2023-2014 First Amendment Press Freedom Award: Mountlake Terrace High School, Mountlake Terrace, WA
13. 2022 First Amendment Press Freedom Award: Mountlake Terrace High School, Mountlake Terrace, WA
14. 2018 Friend of Scholastic Journalism Award: Senator Joe Fain, King County, WA
15. 2012 Friend of Scholastic Journalism Award: Phyllis Fletcher, KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio, Seattle
16. 2011 Friend of Scholastic Journalism Award: Teresa Scribner, visual journalist, The Seattle Times.
17. 2008 Friend of Scholastic Journalism Award: David Upthegrove, House of Representatives, Olympia, WA
18. 1986 Friend of Scholastic Journalism Award: Pierce County Herald
19. 2023 Distinguished Yearbook Adviser: Makena Busch, CJE, Mead High School, Spokane, WA
20. 2021 Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser: Annie Green, MJE, Glacier Peak High School, Snohomish, WA
21. 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, Kay Locey, CJE, Puyallup, WA
22. 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, Joy Lessard, Ellensburg, WA
23. 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin Morris
24. 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award, Patricia Ripley
25. 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award, Dorothy McPhillips
26. 1993 Lifetime Achievement Award, Fern Valentine
27. 1991 Lifetime Achievement Award, Dorothy Mootafes
28. 1987 Lifetime Achievement Award, Lu Flannery & Eleanor Wallis
29. 2008 Linda S Puntney Teacher Inspiration Award, Joy Lessard
30. 2018 Medal of Merit Award: Sandra Coyer
31. 2007 Medal of Merit Award: Kathy Schrier
32. 1990 Medal of Merit Award: Fern Valentine
33. 2021 Rising Star: Jessica Hanthorn, CJE, Central Kitsap High School, Silverdale, WA
34. 2016 Rising Star: Teresa Scribner, CJE Cleveland STEM High School, Seattle, WA
35. 2014 Rising Star: Pia Longinotti, Freeman High School, Rockford, WA
36. 2006 Rising Star: Derek Smith, Peninsula High School, Gig Harbor, WA
. Amazing People/Friends of Washington’s Scholastic Journalism
37. Logan Aimone, Washington native & Journalism Adviser extraordinaire
38. Mike Hiestand, SPLC
39. Anne Hayman- She is a joy to be around and always gets me excited for what’s next.
40. Fern Valentine is an icon….and it is such an honor to not just know OF her but to KNOW her.
41. Our hero Executive Director Kathy Schrier!
42. KUOW’s RadioActive Program
43. Seattle Times
44. Dorothy Bullit’s legacy at KING5
45. Edward R Murrow
46. Edmonds School District School Board & administrators (esp Asst Supt Greg Schwab) for their progressive Student Freedom of Expression Policy that clearly states there shall be NO PRIOR REVIEW of student media
47. First Amendment Fern Valentine
48. Vince DeMiero, the one who is always there championing his students, freedom of expression, and scholastic journalism around the state
49. Andrew Wahl, Everett Community College
50. Vanessa McVay, Everett Community College
51. Erica Salkin, Whitworth University
. Freedom of Expression Favorites
52. We were the 14th state to pass the New Voices Act
53. Student journalists are treated like professional journalists
54. I appreciate the ability to speak freely about things I am passionate about.
55. One of my favorite things about WA state journalism is the clear, frequently-reinforced support in unfiltered student voices!
56. I love the fact that I invited Senator Joe Fain to our school to see my journalism classes in action where I asked him to sponsor our New Voices legislation which he ultimately did and got it passed. I love that my students were a part of motivating Senator Fain to get involved
57. I love the fact that we are protecting student voices.
. Our Journalism Community
58. I love the advisers. All of them are such kind, forward-thinking individuals and great people to be around and plan events for students with.
59. I APPRECIATE THE WJEA so MUCH! As an adviser, I would feel so alone without it!
60. Great advisers and opportunities for students
61. We have excellent advisers who are willing to lead Washington advisers and students for many years.
62. Everyone is willing to help make programs better.
63. Having a team like WJEA has kept me going. It creates a sense that we have a mission and that we are not alone in our often solitary jobs within the school.
64. The camaraderie and support of going to WJEA summer Camp and J-day, spending time with our own staff and advisers from around the state.
65. The community of passionate, dedicated teachers
66. We work together to get projects happen. New Voices legislation is a prime example.
67. The collegiality among students and the kind of healthy competitive nature we have among programs – challenging one another to be the best we can be for our own specific audiences, while also being absolutely willing to share ideas in a supportive manner.
68. My colleagues are my heroes! Some of the best people and finest teachers I know are my fellow WJEA members.
69. The continued dedication of advisers who keep the official organization going
70. I am proud of my association with the WJEA
71. The support professional journalists and journalism organizations provide for student journalism education.
72. Advisers have a strong supportive organization of cohorts
73. The state leadership and support for new advisers is fantastic!
74. The community and support of journalists in the school and state
75. The community, as well as academic and social skills I’ve gained from my school’s journalism program in WA state. Difficult conversations about relevant, sometimes controversial topics with people from every end of every ideological spectrum are an incredible way to learn about yourself and others, how to find common ground and mutual respect despite differences, and just learn to be a complex human being that seeks to understand and hear all voices!
76. The many colleagues I have found here in my adopted state
77. Advisers embrace each other and immediately provide as much assistance as they can for any and every issue any of us may have.
78. The opportunity to collaborate with others across the state.
79. Our Students
80. I absolutely love shaping the minds of future storytellers.
81. My students are excited about their work, and it shows.
82. Our students value diversity, and their work reflects those values.
83. The students have opinions, and they know how to back them up.
84. Important reporting with a variety of styles
85. Students are eager to learn about subjects they have an interest in already.
86. Students aren’t too set in their ways, so they are receptive to ways to help them write and report better.
87. Journalism students learn so many things other classes don’t teach.
. Miscellaneous
88. A strong CTE program
89. It’s overarching/ interdisciplinary
90. The commitment from local journalists to share their knowledge with our students at conferences and critiques
91. The local colleges and universities want to help support scholastic journalism.
92. WJEA’s critique service and the valuable feedback it provides
93. Emerald Awards for Excellence
94. The many opportunities for students to participate in journalistic opportunities like press conferences and internships
95. I love that I know my students can access professional materials, training and any assistance they need to make their voice strong.
96. The opportunities our teachers provide for students to compete in write-offs/state contests as well as Fall J-Day at Everett Community College. The events we provide students keep them engaged and interested in journalism in high school and beyond.
97. I love that we have opportunities to welcome others to the table. There is always room for more people to join and be a part of the group. The advisers here are friendly and welcoming.
98. I tell my students before every conference that they are about to be surrounded by adults who all care about their voice; that every single adult attending is an advocate for student voices.
99. Attending J Camp at WSU in the Edward R. Murrow building, going to classes amid pictures towering pictures of one of our country’s greatest journalists always gives me a reminder of our higher purpose of telling the stories of the people in our communities.
100. We have such a wonderful legacy of scholastic journalism