Columbia Scholastic Press Association

We are delighted to honor Jeanne Acton with the 2009 Paschal Award, the director of journalism for the University Interscholastic League and of the Interscholastic League Press Conference for the past four years. Jeanne has devoted her life to scholastic journalism from her days as editor in chief of the national award winning Panther Prints, to her years as a newspaper, yearbook and broadcast adviser, and then as an administrator who was a strong advocate for dynamic student publications programs, Jeanne has made scholastic journalism the focus of her professional life. She directs the largest state scholastic journalism program in the nation, providing critiquing and evaluations for over 1,000 members schools.

Adviser Ray Westbrook wrote, “Jeanne has continued her passion for scholastic journalism by sending out a strong message to Texas schools— that student publications can be dynamic, exude professionalism and serve their community just as effectively and soundly as their professional counterparts. Jeanne is one of those quiet leaders, always letting the works speak for itself. She never seeks fame, publicity or glory. “

For her long-standing commitment in scholastic journalism, we are proud to present Jeanne Acton with the James Frederick Paschal Award.