You can see the finish line from here! With just a few weeks until the end of the 2010-11 school year, it’s time to recognize, celebrate and plan. Read on for information about:

  • Information on end-of-year awards for students, publications/broadcasts and advisers
  • Important dates for the summer workshop and this fall’s convention

RECOGNIZE STUDENTS WITH NORTH STAR AWARDS
Just in time for spring awards ceremonies, MHSPA is pleased to recognize the scholars and leaders who are also student journalists from around Minnesota. We’ve renamed this program the North Star Awards. Send in the form anytime through May 11, and we’ll send a certificate. Requirements are below:

  • North Star Editors — Two years on a staff, including one year as an editor; 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • North Star Journalists — One full year on a staff; 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • Distinguished Journalists — Two years on a staff; 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Students may only apply for one of the honors. Advisers must write a brief letter of verification and recommendation. Grade verification is also required. Download the entry form here.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR MINNESOTA JOURNALISM EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Nomination form for the 2012 Minnesota Journalism Educator of the Year are now open. You can nominate yourself or one of your colleagues from around the state. The deadline is April 18. Download the nomination form here.

GOLD MEDALLION ENTRIES NOW ACCEPTED
MHSPA members may now submit entries for the MHSPA Gold Medallions, which recognize excellence in print, broadcast and online media. All Minnesota high school and junior high school student journalists are eligible for the awards. MHSPA members enter for free. Non-members pay $5 per entry. Entries in print and broadcast categories must arrive (not be postmarked) at MHSPA by Sept. 14, 2012, to be eligible. Please note that website entries must be submitted by June 15 since the Web content changes. More info, including the entry form, is here.

ALL-STATE PUBLICATION AWARDS NOW OPEN
The Journalism Educators of Minnesota and the Minnesota High School Press Association co-sponsor general excellence in publications (newspapers, newsmagazines, yearbooks and literary magazines) and a new category for websites. Submit your publication by June 15 (websites) or Sept. 14, 2012 (print), to the address on the form. Entry fee is $10. More info, including the entry form, is here.

BACK-TO-BASICS FORMAT FOR SUMMER WORKSHOP
Get a head start on the skills you need to be the best editor, writer, designer or adviser in the 2012-13 year! Join us at the University of Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication July 27-29.

Select from focus these focus areas: editorial leadership, design/InDesign, photojournalism, journalistic writing, online journalism and advising in a multimedia world. More details, including descriptions and pricing, will be available in early April.

SAVE THE DATE FOR STATE CONVENTION
We’ve already set the date for this fall’s state convention, which will be Oct. 9 at Coffman Memorial Union on the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. We’ll start at 9 a.m. and pack a lot of learning straight through until 1 p.m. instead of taking a lunch break. This will allow all schools to stay for the entire program, including awards. So, eat a good breakfast and have a mid-morning snack if necessary.