The Candace and John Bowen Adviser First Amendment Leadership Award is an annual award that will go to a JEA member whose work has actively supported, defended and fought for the First Amendment rights of student journalists and their advisers on the local, state or national level.
The winner will receive a $1,000 prize and will be encouraged to write an article for the Communication: Journalism Education Today magazine to share their actions and show others how they, too, can make a difference.
The award is endowed by Candace Perkins Bowen, MJE, John Bowen, MJE, and Tom Eveslage, who are long-time crusaders for student press rights. Others who wish to support these values and want to see this award continue are encouraged to donate to the endowment.
Entry Criteria
The nominee must advise a publication or broadcast program, teach journalism classes or be retired after having spent at least 10 years in scholastic journalism. Retired journalism teachers and advisers, along with those currently teaching or advising may be nominated.
Both the nominator and nominee must be current JEA members.
How to Apply
The online nomination application will be available on Submittable on or around Oct. 15 each year. Nominations are due by Dec. 15.
The nominator must submit:
- A narrative of at least 500 words explaining how the teacher being nominated has actively supported students and/or advisers and their work is unusually beneficial and of superior value to them and to scholastic journalism
- Up to three additional letters of support (optional)
Nominators may renominate candidates from previous years for consideration, as long as they have not previously won the award. To do this, please submit a new application and ensure all information is updated.
Judging Criteria
This is a juried award. Entries are evaluated by a national panel of journalism educators consisting of members of the JEA awards committee, John and Candace Bowen or individuals designated by the JEA awards committee chair.
Award Recognition
The winner will receive:
- A $1,000 prize.
- Recognition at the Saturday adviser awards luncheon at the Spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention.
- One complimentary ticket to the awards luncheon.
- An invitation to write an article for C:JET magazine to share their actions and show others how they, too, can make a difference.