With the passing of a grades 6-12 student free speech bill in Minnesota in 2024 and the roll out of those protections across the state beginning with the 24-25 school year, the Minnesota High School Press Association plans to recognize administrators who serve as advocates for and supporters of student media in middle and high schools. Any Minnesota publications student or scholastic media adviser may nominate a principal, dean, athletic director, or any other administrator who meets the criteria.
The nomination may include one to five letters of support from the nominator. The primary nominator should email letter(s) to Gary Lundgren, gary@studentpress.org, on or before the June 21, 2025, deadline.
A panel of journalists and educators will select the recipient. In addition to a plaque proclaiming the administrator’s role in supporting outstanding journalism education, the winner will be recognized at the 2025 Fall Minnesota State High School Journalism Convention.
Nominations should highlight the candidate’s success in:
- Publishing a strong student media freedom of expression policy that aligns with the 2024 law
- Demonstrating administrations’ commitment to partnering with student media, while shielding them from prior review and censorship, and protecting advisers from professional consequences for doing the same.
- Facilitating an environment of respect between student media and school faculty and staff by imparting trust in publications decisions and adviser credibility.
- Providing access for student journalists so they can successfully report on school issues with as much information as possible (i.e. press areas at school events, governing board meetings, athletics passes, etc.)
- Advocating for program growth when there is student interest and / or curricular need
- Fostering media literacy and current events discussions at school, as well as an appreciation for professional journalism and careers in media
- Supporting the First Amendment