
By Cindy Horchem, Ph.D., CJE
The common denominator for Medal of Merit winners is they are all servant leaders. They serve their students, local, state or national organizations while providing leadership in their classrooms and beyond.
The five outstanding journalism educators recognized with the 2022 Medal of Merit awards are:
- Emily Pyeatt Arnold, CJE, Aledo (Texas) High School
- Justin Daigle, MJE, Brighton (Colorado) High School
- Debra Klevens, CJE, Parkway West High School, Ballwin, Missouri
- Tamra McCarthy, CJE, James C. Enochs High School, Modesto, California
- Heather Nagel, CJE, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Nashville, Tennessee.
Emily Pyeatt Arnold, CJE

Texas Association of Journalism Educators Executive Director Cindy Todd noted the irony that the Aledo High School 2022 yearbook theme was “Get Loud,” while adviser Emily Pyeatt Arnold, CJE, is anything but.
“Her quiet and caring demeanor are welcomed by both students and advisers,” Todd wrote in her recommendation letter.
Michael Taylor, CJE, national accounts manager with Walsworth Yearbooks, echoed that sentiment.
“I am not kidding; this is the nicest human being I have ever met,” he said. “Emily is kind but she has 100% structure in her classroom.”
Taylor said he loves walking into Arnold’s classroom or her sessions at state or national conferences.
“I am awed at the control of the room, the amount of research and preparation and her care for delivery.”
Arnold has said that her passion for stories emerged during her own high school photography, journalism, broadcasting, English and speech classes, and continued throughout college when she worked for The Daily Nebraskan at the University of Nebraska.
Arnold previously taught at Crowley and Haltom high schools. She now teaches at Aledo High School, where she advises the Ledoian yearbook, the Cat’s Eye online news site, Bearcat TV and Catalyst literary arts magazine. Her student media earned a 2021 NSPA Pacemaker and a 2022 CSPA Gold Crown.
Walsworth sales representative Jill Chittum said that Arnold has always volunteered her time and resources for new advisers to help them get a good foundation along with encouraging her own students and students at workshops.
“She has a way of helping students improve without just telling them what to do,” Chittum, a former high school teacher and adviser, said. “She is one of the best educators I have worked with in my time as a yearbook representative. I learn from her every time I visit her classroom or watch her present.”
Arnold became a JEA Certified Journalism Educator in 2014 and was recognized as a JEA Rising Star in 2015. She holds one of six elected positions on the TAJE board, serving as JEA Texas state director. One of her responsibilities is coordinating the Texas Journalist of the Year Contest.
Leland Mallett, CJE, adviser at Legacy High School in Mansfield, Texas, noted that Arnold has worked hard to make the Texas Journalist of the Year process more transparent and to prepare students for the competition. He said in Texas and on the TAJE board, they know Arnold as “the go-to person.”
“Emily is the person we know we can depend on because she’s knowledgeable and always happy to help,” he said.
Todd agreed.
“Every team deserves an Emily Pyeatt Arnold,” she said. “And nobody deserves the JEA Medal of Merit more than her.”
Justin Daigle, MJE

Like many advisers do, Justin Daigle, MJE, began his tenure at Brighton High School teaching English. Carrie Hendrix, CJE, adviser at Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument, Colorado, said Daigle’s desire to get more involved with students led him to become adviser of the Reflections yearbook, and he never looked back. She said that what was a mediocre program has been transformed 17 years later into a top state and national award-winning publication.
Over his first 16 years, Daigle’s publications won 12 Colorado Student Media Association All-Colorados, seven CSPA Crowns, two NSPA Pacemakers and three Best of Show trophies. Daigle has been recognized as CSMA Adviser of the Year (2009), JEA Rising Star (2010) and JEA H.L. Hall National Yearbook Special Recognition (2014) and Distinguished (2016) adviser of the year. He was awarded the CSPA Gold Key (2020).
Daigle has served the CSMA for more than 10 years in various capacities including as its president. He currently is JEA Colorado state director and one of his biggest tasks is coordinating the CSMA Dorothy Greer Journalist of the Year contest. He is also a JEA mentor. He has judged state competitions for Kansas and Wyoming along with numerous national contests.
Nancy Smith, MJE, JEA national contest chair, recalled Daigle’s work as local contest chair for the spring 2015 national convention in Denver.
“He was willing to do whatever the national team needed to facilitate the contests — writing contest prompts, recruiting local judges, arranging local speakers and greeting them, checking in judges for the dinner, grabbing lunch for the team — he did it all with the same enthusiasm he brings to every single task he undertakes,” Smith said. “Since that time, Justin has volunteered with the contest team at every convention he has attended.”
Daigle has also become one of the regular volunteers for the National Journalism Quiz Bowl at conventions, working as a judge and emcee for the event.
Daigle’s list of published articles, presentations and journalism leadership experience fills nearly three pages. While that is impressive, what his recommendation letters repeatedly highlight is his enthusiasm for journalism.
“Justin serves the greater scholastic journalism community in a multitude of ways, but if you want to see real magic happen, you have to observe Justin with his students,” McLean (Virginia) High School adviser Meghan Percival, MJE, said. “When Justin works with his kids, the energy is visibly electric.”
Percival also noted Daigle’s impact as a role model.
“His students witness his constant willingness to learn and grow as an adviser, which inspires them to do the same not only as students, but as citizens,” she said. “He’s a role model, the kind we all hope to be for our kids. And in the small town of Brighton, he gives these kids big opportunities. He changes their lives. Being able to witness it every year changes mine, too.”
Debra Klevens, CJE

Although her degree from Indiana University focused on journalism education, Debra Klevens, CJE, first worked in the business world. Mary Kay Downes, MJE, said that Klevens was successful, but unfulfilled. Klevens heeded her mother’s advice: following her heart might make her happier. She entered the classroom in the Parkway School District in suburban St. Louis more than 20 years ago, a decision that Klevens has never regretted.
“Debra Klevens is a talented publications adviser who is well known for not only her work ethic and her outstanding publications, but most importantly, her willingness to share her expertise with others,” Downes said. “Debra generously shares her ideas, projects and experiences with other advisers in St. Louis and beyond.”
Ann Akers, MJE, Herff Jones Yearbooks, nominated Klevens.
“Debra Klevens is a knowing educator and caring adviser,” Akers said. “She’s an advocate of student journalists who share generously with other advisers. She’s a willing critiquer and judge who takes on additional responsibilities for the greater good.”
Klevens began advising Pawesehi yearbook at Parkway West High School in 1999 and took over the Pathfinder newspaper in 2012. The newspaper moved exclusively online and the programs joined as converged classes in 2013. The publications have won multiple CSPA Gold and Silver Crowns and NSPA Pacemakers.
Klevens was awarded the CSPA Gold Key in 2019 and was recognized by JEA as a Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser (2018) and a Distinguished Yearbook Adviser (2021). She was one of the presenters at the 2022 JEA Advisers Institute.
Klevens was one of the four founders of Missouri Journalism Education Association in 2014 and is on the local committee for the upcoming fall national convention in St. Louis.
Downes pointed out that Klevens’ passion, commitment and enthusiasm are not limited to student media. She has also worked with Spark! Incubator for Educators and was one of 10 teachers who worked in a Global Competency Cohort on collaboration projects.
“With all that she does in the school and greater community, it is no wonder that Debra was named the 2017 Parkway West Teacher of the Year,” Downes said.
Yearbook consultant and retired adviser Paul Ender said he was delighted to endorse Klevens.
“The fundamentals of journalism are just a portion of what Debra teaches her students. Teamwork, responsibility and respect are modeled and expected,” he said. “Debra’s drive and enthusiasm, altruism and passion are contagious and undeniable to her students, the community and her peers on campus and in scholastic journalism. She is a great teacher and adviser, and she may just be an even better human.”
Tamra McCarthy, CJE

In nominating Tamra McCarthy, CJE, Ann Akers, MJE, a Herff Jones representative, made it clear that McCarthy is deserving of the recognition.
“Longtime adviser of an acclaimed program? Check. Master teacher whose students produce amazing publications? Absolutely. Generous educator who shares by presenting at conventions and workshops, serving on committees and answering questions from editors and advisers everywhere? That’s Tamra McCarthy too,” Akers said.
McCarthy has been teaching English for 20 years and has advised the Wingspan yearbook at James Enochs High School in Modesto, California, since the school’s opening in 2006. Akers pointed out that in that time, the Wingspan has won six NSPA Best of Show trophies, has been recognized 12 times in CPSA’s Crown competition and in NSPA’s Pacemaker competition, winning a Gold Crown and a Pacemaker in the same year four times.
McCarthy was recognized by JEA as a Distinguished Yearbook Adviser (2013) and a Rising Star (2011). She earned special recognition in CSPA’s National High School Journalism Teacher of the Year program in 2021 and was California League of High Schools Teacher of the Year, Modesto, California, in 2016.
“I can attest firsthand to Tamra’s dedication, having watched her collaborate with her students at several summer workshops,” at Antelope (California) High School adviser Pete LeBlanc said. “Leader, motivator, mother hen — Tamra does it all. She genuinely cares about her students’ well-being while simultaneously pushing them to produce one of the top yearbooks in the country. It’s a fine line to walk. Tamra scales that tight rope with expertise and caution.”
JEA California State Director Mitch Ziegler, CJE, added that McCarthy’s commitment to scholastic journalism does not stop with Wingspan and her students.
“Tamra is a regular member of the board of judges for the photography competition for each national convention, spending significant time at home writing critiques and attending the judging session at each convention,” he said.
Ziegler also noted that McCarthy serves on the board of JEA Northern California as the yearbook chair, which includes helping secure yearbook speakers for the NorCal Media Day, monitor yearbook contest categories and work with the contest chair to recruit yearbook competition judges.
“Fellow advisers and camp directors recognize her advising skills — she teaches at workshops across the country, even at ones not affiliated with a yearbook company, a sure sign of the esteem her colleagues hold for her,” Ziegler said. “Naturally, Tamra teaches sessions at virtually every convention for JEA, NSPA and CSPA.”
Aker’s comments on McCarthy concluded, “She’s the epitome of a great teacher, active adviser and respected member of the journalism education community who deserves additional recognition for her decades of contributions.”
Heather Nagel, CJE

Top-notch is how nominator Ann Akers, MJE, describes Heather Nagel’s service to scholastic journalism.
“With nearly 20 years of advising and active service to scholastic journalism and advisers coast to coast, plus a decade of Christ Presbyterian Academy student and publication recognition at the national level, Heather Nagel is a passionate educator whose servant leadership sets her apart,” Akers said.
Nagel was a JEA Distinguished Yearbook Adviser (2019), a Special Recognition Yearbook Adviser (2012) and was named the Tennessee High School Press Association’s Bonnie Hufford Media Adviser of the Year that same year.
Akers noted that the Lion’s Roar yearbook has been on the CSPA Crown and NSPA Pacemaker recognition lists for five years running, a feat currently accomplished by only five other schools nationwide.
“The local chair for the 2020 Nashville spring convention that wasn’t, she is also JEA’s Tennessee state director and a popular workshop and convention speaker,” Yearbook consultant Paul Ender said. “Her convention sessions typically showcase students who ‘co-present’ with her, but are empowered to take the lead, sharing anecdotes, information and advice.”
Nagel, who has been a JEA state director since 2010, also shares her expertise by critiquing for NSPA, CSPA and the Tennessee High School Press Association.
“Her commitment to helping advisers in Tennessee and nationwide is unquestionable,” McLean (Virginia) High School adviser Meghan Percival, MJE, said. “Interested in expanding programming for advisers in her state, Heather does research. She even traveled to Virginia for the Virginia Association of Journalism Teachers and Advisers weekend J-Retreat to learn more about our annual tradition of bringing advisers together for a learning and social experience.”
Percival also noted how fortunate Nagel’s students are to have her as a role model.
“She demonstrates that what students learn about journalism is important,” Percival said, “but what is most important is that they learn how to be engaged, responsible and caring adults.”
Retired adviser Lynn Strause has known Nagel since her early days at Christ Presbyterian Academy.
She noted that as Nagel gained more confidence as an adviser, she began expanding her influence by teaching at workshops and conventions.
“She’s an enthusiastic, generous sharer who’s eager to help other advisers and students improve their publications and programs,” Strause said. “She gladly gives of her time and knowledge to help others in their journalism endeavors.”
Ender capably summed up Nagel’s service.
“To me, she is the perfect combination of involvement, contribution, recognition and inspiration,” he said. “If only there were more advisers who knew as much, cared as much and did as much as Heather — always expecting (or demanding) nothing, we’d all be smiling.”
Lindsay Porter