The home state! JEA has a rich history within the state of Kansas. Find out all about the Sunflower State today.

Programming
1. Hosting our 8th JEA/NSPA Convention since 1977
2. National JEA Headquarters at Kansas State University in Manhattan
3. Kansas Scholastic Press Association led by Eric Thomas, executive director
4. KSPA Fall Conference in Lawrence, Hays and Wichita to provide access to schools across the state.
5. KSPA Winter Workshops in locations across the state which allow students to enroll in one in-depth session rather than a variety of break-out sessions
6. KSPA Monthly Contests which recognize student journalists in writing, photography, design and multimedia
7. KSPA Regional Contest with 16 visual and nine writing categories
8. KSPA State Contest: the top 6 entries in 25 categories advance to compete at this event
9. A Portfolio of the Year contest awards the best writers, designers, photographers and videographers each year
10. Decades of winners of the Jackie Engel Journalism Teacher of the Year Award
11. The Susan Massy Journalist of the Year Award and Scholarship is our version of the SJOY contest, named after the legendary adviser from Shawnee Mission Northwest
12. The Flint Hills Summer Workshop at Kansas State University
13. The Jayhawk Media Workshop at the University of Kansas celebrates 60 years in 2024

Organizations
14. Journalism Education Association
15. Kansas Scholastic Press Association
16. Journalism Educators of Metropolitan Kansas City (JEMKC) delivers thousands of dollars in student scholarships each year
17. The Wichita Area Journalism Educators was founded recently to gather advisers in the largest city in the state

Local Newspapers
18. The Kansas City Star provides coverage of news throughout Kansas, especially from the Capitol in Topeka
19. The Kansas Reflector, a non-profit news website, provides coverage aimed at the public
20. The Topeka Daily Capital-Journal and its rich tradition of photojournalistic excellence led by Rich Clarkson
21. Wichita Eagle Beacon
22. The Lawrence Journal-World’s coverage of University of Kansas athletics
23. Hutchinson News, covers most of the western side of the state
24. Hays Post
25. Emporia Gazette
26. Pittsburg Morning Sun

Collegiate Publications
27. The University Daily Kansas and he tradition of tossing the shredded copies of the publication into the air at KU basketball games
28. The Collegian, Kansas State University
29. The Royal Purple, Kansas State University
30. The Sunflower Wichita State University
31. ESUBulletin.com, Emporia State University
32. Tiger Media Network, Fort Hays State University
33. The Collegio, Pittsburg State University

Heroes of Scholastic Journalism
34. Jackie Engel (grandmother of Kansas Scholastic Journalism) and the teacher award named after her
35. Shirley Gabrielson (early member of COPA/KSPA, perennial board member)
36. Dell Brinkman (1st executive director of KSPA)
37. Dave Adams and Ron Johnson (co-chaired committee to pass the student press freedom legislation)
38. Former middle school adviser Mary Patrick: worked to bring middle schools into the KSPA umbrella. The Kansas Aspiring Young Journalist Award is named after her
39. KSPA Journalism Hall of Fame Inductees: David Adams, Doris Ballard, Del Brinkman, Edna Coder, Meredith Cromer,Nikki Economy, Jackie Engel, Shirley Gabrielson, Dorothy Greer, Ruth Hunt, Jeanne Lambert, Dana Leibengood, Virginia Muninger, Katherine Rogers, Susanne Shaw, Frances Taylor, G.O. “Doc” Watson, C.J. Medlin, Robert Dillon, Frank J. Wright, Mary Wallace, John Mohn, Vicki Churchman, Carol Dreiling, Allen Wilhite, Cheryl Nelsen, Mary Anne McCloud, John Hudnall, Phyllis Wipf, Susan Agee, Linda Puntney, Linda Drake, Sharon Martin, Nancy Hall, Derius Mammen, Michael Dunlap, Susan Massy, Mary Patrick, Ron Johnson, Kim Isbell, Monte Moser
40. JEA Yearbook Adviser of the Year, Dow Jones/CSPA Journalism Adviser of the Year, CSPA Gold Key and other national awards
41. Dave Adams, 1987 CSPA Gold Key, NSPA Pioneer. Kansas State University
42. Peter Bobkowski, 2012 CSPA Gold Key, NSPA Pioneer. University of Kansas
43. Joanna Chadwick, JEA Rising Star. Derby H.S.
44. Jill Chittum, JEA Rising Star. Derby H.S.
45. Edna Coder, 1987 CSPA Gold Key. Hays Senior H.S.
46. Jeni Daly, JEA Rising Star. Tecumseh H.S.
47. Kristy Dekat, JEA Rising Star. Topeka West H.S.
48. Linda Drake, 2008 JEA H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year, JEA Linda Puntney Teacher Inspiration Award, JEA Medal of Merit, 2010 CSPA Gold Key, NSPA Pioneer Award. Chase County H.S.
49. Michael Dunlap, 2000 JEA Distinguished Adviser, JEA Medal of Merit. Blue Valley West H.S.
50. Nicoletta Economy, 1973 CSPA Gold Key. Wyandotte H.S.
51. Jackie Engel, 1979 Dow Jones National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year, 1983 Gold Key, NSPA Pioneer, JEA Lifetime Achievement Award. McPherson H.S.
52. Connie Fulkerson, Carl Towley Award, Medal of Merit. Kansas State University
53. Dorothy Greer, 1962 Dow Jones National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year, 1965 CSPA Gold Key, JEA Carl Towley Award. Topeka Senior H.S.
54. Kathy Habiger, 2007 JEA Distinguished Adviser, JEA Medal of Merit. Mill Valley H.S.
55. Nancy Hall, JEA Medal of Merit. Shawnee Mission North
56. Ron Johnson, 1992 CSPA Gold Key. Kansas State University
57. Tucker Love, JEA Rising Star. Shawnee Mission South H.S.
58. Derrius Mamon, JEA Friend of Journalism Award, JEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Jostens Publishing
59. Sharon Martin, JEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Wichita East H.S.
60. David Massy, JEA Lifetime Achievement Award, JEA Medal of Merit. Walsworth
61. Susan Massy, 2023 CSPA Charles O’Malley Excellence in Teaching Award, 2023 JEA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016 CSPA Gold Key, 1999 H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year, NSPA Pioneer, JEA Medal of Merit. Shawnee Mission Northwest H.S.
62. Sarah McCambridge, JEA Rising Star. Bishop Miege H.S.
63. Jim McCrossen, 2024 JEA Distinguished Adviser. Blue Valley Northwest H.S.
64. Amy Morgan, 2012 JEA Special Recognition Adviser JEA Medal of Merit. Shawnee Mission West H.S.
65. Frank Naylor, 1966 CSPA Gold Key. Wyandotte H.S.
66. Mary Patrick, 2022 JEA Distinguished Adviser, JEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Mays South Middle School
67. Dale Pigg, 1959 CSPA Gold Key. Shawnee Mission North
68. Ura Plaster, 1965 CSPA Gold Key. Silver Lake Rural H.S
69. Linda Puntney, JEA Carl Towley Award, JEA Lifetime Achievement Award, JEA Linda Puntney Teacher Inspiration Award, JEA Medal of Merit, 2010 CSPA Charles O’Malley Excellence in Teaching Award, 1993 CSPA Gold Key. Kansas State University
70. Erika Rickard, JEA Rising Star. Newton H.S.
71. Katherine Rogers, 1982 CSPA Gold Key. Fort Hays State University
72. Emily Smith, JEA Rising Star. Pittsburg H.S.
73. Dot Stegman, JEA Lifetime Achievement Award. Kapaun-Mt. Karmel H.S.
74. Dow Tate, 2023 JEA H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year, JEA Medal of Merit, 1997 Dow Jones National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year (but he was in Texas), 2010 CSPA Gold Key, NSPA Pioneer. Shawnee Mission East H.S.
75. Becky Lucas Tate, 2019 JEA H.L. Hall Yearbook Adviser of the Year, JEA Medal of Merit, 2010 CSPA Gold Key, NSPA Pioneer. Shawnee Mission North H.S.
76. Frances Taylor, 1950 Gold Key, Argentine H.S.
77. Barbara Tholen, MJE, 2023 JEA Distinguished Adviser, JEA Rising Star. Lawrence H.S.
78. Julia Walker, JEA Rising Star. Olathe West H.S.
79. Wichita Eagle Beacon, JEA Friend of Journalism. Wichita

Resources
80. www.kspaonline.org and its resources for student journalists who are facing censorship
81. In 2017, KSPA celebrated 25 years of student journalism protected by Kansas law . The organization produced a documentary, “Our Stories. Our Voices. Our Freedoms” so that students would continue creating vital journalism for their schools and grasp the power of the law.
82. Simply the Best: winning entries from the regional and state contes

NSPA Pacemaker 100 List
83. Number 1: The Lair, Shawnee Mission Northwest H.S.
84. Number 4: Indian, Shawnee Mission North H.S.
85. Number 9: Hauberk, Shawnee Mission East H.S.
86. Eagle/Stampede, Maize Intermediate/Maize South M.S.
87. Harbinger, Shawnee Mission East H.S.
88. Harbinger Online, Shawnee Mission East H.S.
89. The Northwest Passage, Shawnee Mission Northwest H.S.

National High School Journalists of the Year
90. Riley Atkinson, National Journalist of the Year (2021), Shawnee Mission East H.S.
91. Ben Henschel, National Journalism of the Year Runner-up (2020), Shawnee Mission East H.S.
92. Nicole-Marie Konopelko, National Journalist of the Year Runner-up (2019), Pittsburg H.S.
93. Celia Hack, National Journalist of the Year Runner-up (2017), Shawnee Mission East H.S.
94. Justin Curto, National Journalist of the Year Runner-up (2016), Mill Valley H.S.
95. Julia Poe, National Journalist of the Year (2015), Shawnee Mission East H.S.
96. Sarah Darby, National High School Journalist of the Year Runner-up (2012), Mill Valley H.S.
97. Amanda Allison, National HIgh School Journalist of the Year (2007), Shawnee Mission East
98. Libby Nelson, National High School Journalist of the Year (2005), Shawnee Mission East

First Amendment Press Freedom Award
99. Blue Valley Northwest High School, Overland Park
100. Olathe (Kansas) Northwest High School
101. Chase County Jr./Sr. High School, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

102. JEA CJEs: Jessica Augustine, BriAnne Chayer, Rachel Chushuk, Jennifer Daley, Kelly Glasscock, Laura Hayden, Heather Hooper, Cindy Horchem, Michelle Huss, Anne McCloud, Sharon Martin, Spencer O’Daniel, Mary Patrick, Lindsay Porter, Lindsey Ross, Shana Schmidt, Heather Springer, Julia Walker, Sarah Weekley
103. JEA Mentors: Laura Hayden, Mary Patrick, Sharon Martin, Mary Anne McCloud, Linda Puntney
104. JEA MJEs: Kristy Dekat, Linda Drake, Katherine Habiger, Anna Manning, Amy Morgan, Linda Puntney, Barb Tholen, Todd Vogts

Notable Journalists from Kansas
105. Gordon Parks, a world famous photojournalist for Life Magazine, also created the movie “Shaft”
106. Pete Souza, documented two presidencies as the official White House photographer (attended Kansas State University)
107. W. Eugene Smith, born in Wichita, pioneered the craft of the photo essay during his time at Life magazine.
108. Colleen McCain Nelson, 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner for her work as an editorial writer for the Dallas Morning News
109. Sally Buzbee, The Washington Post executive editor, the first woman to hold the role.**
110. Rich Clarkson, former photographer for Sports Illustrated and National Geographic.
111. Jim Richardson, former photographer for National Geographic and National Geographic TRAVELER (contributing editor). “Notes from a Wide Spot in the Road,” won the international Crystal AMI Award for excellence. His first book, “High School USA,” began his four decades of coverage of life in small town, Cuba, Kansas. His book, “The Colorado: A River at Risk,” is a recognized standard in the coverage of water issues.
112. Bill Kurtis, TV journalist and producer

Fun Facts
113. Kansas was the sixth state in the nation to recognize the free speech rights of high school journalism students (1992).
114. The Kanza people, whose name roughly translates to “the people of the south wind” lived along the Kansas River, which led to the name of the state
115. Dorothy Gale (the main character in the Wizard of Oz) is known to come from a town in Kansas. Although the movie never named it, Liberal, in the southwest corner of the state, laid claim to being that town in 1978, 81 years after the movie debuted.
116. Superman grew up in a fictional town in Kansas called Smallville.
117. The state motto is Ad astra per aspera, to the stars through difficulty, a reflection of the difficulties Kansas suffered (Bleeding Kansas) to become one of the stars on the U.S. flag.
118. An average of 50 tornadoes tear through the state annually
119. In some parts of the state, you can see a 360-degree horizon with the blue sky as an uninterrupted dome overhead.

Good Eatin’ in Kansas
120. Just remember, the Kansas City area is home to the World Series of Barbecue, the largest barbecue contest in the country. Okay, that’s in Missouri. Although the history of KC’s thick, sticky, sweet barbecue sauce may have begun in Missouri, Kansas restaurants have perfected it.
121. The Kansas BBQ Road Show*
122. Joe’s KC (Anthony Bourdain put it in his book “13 Places to Eat Before You Die), Kansas City and Overland Park
123. Jack Stack (known for its burnt ends), several locations in the Kansas City area
124. Guy & Mae’s Tavern (known for ribs), Williamsburg
125. BobbyD’s Merchant Street BBQ (known for prime rib, smoked meatloaf and burnt ends), Emporia
126. Roy’s Hickory Pit Bar-B-Q, Hutchinson
127. Knackie’s Bear-B-Cue, (known for BBQ Rib Dinner), Inman and McPherson
128. The Ole Cook Shack, Syracuse
129. Brad’s Smoke House, Hill City
130. Hickory Hut (known for Polish sausage and smoked turkey), Salina
131. Bite Me Bar-B-Q (known for its brisket), Marysville
132. Lonnie Q’s, Topeka
133. Beyond BBQ:
134. Cinnamon rolls and chili: common in school cafeterias in the state and pretty much inseparable
135. Bieroks: cabbage, meat and onion-stuffed dough balls, part of the Volga Russian heritage in Hays
136. Swedish meatballs: a mixture of ground beef and pork topped with a rich and creamy gravy; part of the Swedish heritage in Lindsborg
137. Zwiebach: sweet, sturdy bread made popular by the Mennonite (German) community in south central Kansas
138. Povaticia: buttery pastry dough rolled into very thin layers and covered with a layer of nuts. It is a celebratory bread that is part of the Croatian heritage in Kansas City

Famous Kansas politicians
139. Charles Curtis, a member of the Kaw Nation, the first person of color to be elected Vice President of the United States, Topeka
140. Dwight David Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, Abilene*
141. Marlon Fitzwater, the Press Relations assistant for President Ronald Reagan and the eventual Assistant to the President and Press Secretary to President George H.W. Bush, Abilene*

Famous Kansans in Entertainment
142. Kirstie Alley, Cheers, Wichita*
143. Ed Asner, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lou Grant, and Up, president of the Screen Actors’ Guild, Kansas City*
144. Annette Benning, American Beauty, Being Julia, Captain Marvel, winner of BAFTA, SAG and a Golden Globe, Topeka and Wichita*
145. Melissa Ethridge, singer, songwriter, activist, winner of two Grammys*
146. Langston Hughes, known for jazz poetry and a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, Lawrence*
147. Martina McBride, four-time winner CMA Female Artist of the Year, three-time Academy of Country Music Top Female Vocalist*
148. Hattie McDaniel, first Black actor to win an Oscar (Mammy, Gone With the Wind), Wichita*
149. Janelle Monae, singer-songwriter, rapper and actress, eight-time Grammy nominee and starred in movies including Hidden Figures, Kansas City*
150. Gordon Parks, first African-American photographer to work at magazines like Life and Vogue, and the first to work for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration. The first Black director and producer of major motion pictures, including The Learning Tree and Shaft, Fort Scott*
151. Rob Riggle, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Overland Park*
152. Paul Rudd, actor comedian, screenwriter and producer, Clueless, Anchorman, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and multiple films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ant-Man, Lenexa*
153. Eric Stonestreet, actor and comedian, Modern Family, Domino Masters and as the voice of Duke in The Secret Life of Pets, Kansas City*
154. Jason Sudeikis, Emmy award-winning actor, comedian, and writer, best known for Ted Lasso (which he co-created, wrote and stars in) and Saturday Night Live*

Famous Businessmen
155. Robert Ballard, discovered the wreck of the Titanic, Wichita*
156. Clyde Cessna, partnered with Walter Beech and Lloyd Stearman to establish the Travel Air Manufacturing Company in Wichita, inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1978, Rago*
157. William Chrysler, founded the Chrysler Corporation, Time Magazine’s ‘’Man of the Year’ in 1928, inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1967, Wamego and Ellis*
158. Fred Harvey, the “Harvey House” restaurants serving rail passengers, started the first restaurant chain in the U.S., Leavenworth*
159. Brandon McClendon, Google Earth inventor, Lawrence*

Famous Historical Figures
160. Amelia Earhart, the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932, Atchison*
161. James Naismith, inventor of basketball, University of Kansas*
162. William Allen White, publisher of the Emporia Gazette and became famous for his editorial “What the Matter with Kansas” in 1896. The school of journalism at the University of Kansas is named after him.*

Famous Social Advocates
163. Gilbert Baker, influential activist in the gay rights movement, best known as the creator of the rainbow flag, Chanute and Parsons*
164. Erin Brockovich, acclaimed consumer advocate and environmental activist, inspired the film Erin Brockovich, Lawrence*

Sports
165. Phog Allen, known as the “Father of Basketball Coaching, coached the Jayhawks for 39 seasons. Allen Fieldhouse at the University of Kansas is named for him*
166. Maurice Green, known as the fastest man in the world when he held the 100-meter world record time of 9.79 seconds, Kansas City*
167. Katie Sowers, the first openly LGBTQ+ NFL coach and the first woman to coach in the Super Bowl, Hesston*

*From Travelks.com
** from https://journalism.ku.edu/alumni