SCHOLASTIC PRESS RIGHTS

John Bowen, MJE
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Jbowen1007@aol.com

John Bowen, MJE , is an adjunct instructor at Kent State University’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, teaching newswriting, information gathering, and courses for scholastic journalism teachers and advisers. A 33-year high school journalism and social studies teacher and adviser, he has been on the board of directors of the Student Press Law Center and currently convenes the SPLC’s Advisory Council. He serves on the boards of the Northern Ohio Scholastic Press Association and the Journalism Association of Ohio Schools. Bowen teaches summer programs for journalism teachers and students around the country as well as critiquing student publications. He was named the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Journalism Teacher of the Year, and has received JEA’s Carl Towley award, CSPA’s Gold Key and NSPA’s Pioneer awards.

Statement of Goals:
Because of the increasing numbers of censorship reports, especially against experienced advisers, we need to maintain and increase our task of educating teachers, students, administrators and the public about the dangers of censorship in any form. We need to continue our outreach to various administrator organizations and to provide all interested in arguments and rationale for review and censor free scholastic media.

As press rights commission chair, I will continue, and expand, JEA’s efforts:

• To enhance JEA’s position as a reliable and effective supporter of adviser and student free expression
• To respond to adviser, student and administrator questions and issues
• To initiate, develop and coordinate policies, programs, lesson plans and activities supporting First Amendment rights and responsibilities of scholastic media
• To strengthen student media’s role as a developer of citizenship responsibilities
• To reach out to administrative organizations, listening to their concerns and providing educational opportunities about scholastic press law
• To maintain an effective and informative scholastic press rights commission presence on the Web
• To continue JEA efforts with other scholastic media organizations to support and strengthen a national environment for free expression.

MIDDLE SCHOOL/JUNIOR HIGH

Anita Marie Wertz, CJE
Cesar Chavez High School, Stockton, California
awertz@stockton.k12.ca.us

Anita Marie Wertz, CJE , advised middle school newspaper and yearbook for 14 years. In 2005, I was given the opportunity to begin a new yearbook program at Cesar Chavez High School in Stockton, Calif. She also teaches Spanish 1, English and English Language Development.

Statement of Goals:
My goals are to expand the junior high/middle school contests and to encourage more participation in contests and convention. I also want to continue to promote the new JEA Aspiring Young Journalist Award.