Columbia Scholastic Press Association

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CSPA is affiliated with the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University in the City of New York.

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) will honor eight advisers and journalism professionals with its Gold Key in 2009.

With the Gold Key, CSPA recognizes educators and members of the professional press primarily for their service to the Association. Through their contributions to CSPA, Gold Key recipients have demonstrated their support for excellence in teaching journalism and in advising student publications.

Col. Joseph Murphy began the tradition of awarding Gold Keys in 1929, more than 75 years ago, shortly after the Association was founded in 1925.

The Gold Key Award citations state:

"In recognition of the outstanding devotion to the cause of the school press, encouragement to the student editors in their several endeavors, service above and beyond the call of delegated duty, leadership in the field of education, and support of the high ideals from which the Association has drawn its strength and inspiration."

Gold Keys will be presented to their recipients during a special Adviser Awards Luncheon on Friday, March 20, 2009 at Columbia University in the City of New York.

Kathleen Zwiebel, immediate past president of the Columbia Scholastic Press Advisers Association and chair of the CSPAA’s Honors Committee, will read the citations for each recipient while Edmund J. Sullivan, executive director of the CSPA, will present the award to each honoree.

The luncheon is part of CSPA’s 85th annual Convention, held from March 18-20, 2009 at Columbia University in the City of New York.

2009 Gold Key Honorees

Gary Bender
Yearbook adviser
Westfield High School, Chantilly, VA

Christopher P. Daren
Journalism adviser
The Harker School, San Jose, CA

Jenny Dial
Sports reporter
Houston Chronicle, Houston, TX

Janet Ewell
Newspaper adviser
Rancho Alamitos High School, Graden Grove, CA

Casey Nichols
Yearbook adviser
Rocklin High School, Rocklin, CA

Marcella A. Pieper
Assistant principal
Clayton High School, Clayton, MO

Sandra Franke Strall
Yearbook adviser
Oscar A. Carlson High School, Gibraltar, MI

Esther Wojcicki
Newspaper adviser
Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA

Please note: school and organization affiliations are listed for identification purposes only.