The Journalism Education Association names 12 teachers as 2025 Rising Stars to recognize their dedication to scholastic journalism and media advising. They will be recognized at the Fall JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville this November.
Rising Star Awards are presented to advisers who are in their first five years of advising and have had success advising at least one media program.
The 2025 Rising Stars are:
- Taylor Bowers, CJE, Bentonville West High School, Centerton, Arkansas
- Stacy Dawson, CJE, Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, California
- Nicole Goodman, CJE, Waterloo (Iowa) West High School
- Darcy Hassing, CJE, Lakeview High School, Battle Creek, Michigan
- Christopher Heady, Shawnee (Kansas) Mission Northwest High School
- Jodi Hwang, CJE, Los Altos (California) High School
- Yary Lira, McKinney (Texas) High School
- Jeanette Lockwood, Desert Ridge Junior High School and Desert Ridge High School, Mesa, Arizona
- Marie McCulloch, Rocky Mountain High School, Meridian, Idaho
- Ethan Pender, CJE, Darlington School, Rome, Georgia
- Jamie Reynolds, Melbourne (Florida) High School
- Katheryn White, Gulfport (Mississippi) High School
Taylor Bowers, CJE
Taylor Bowers, CJE, has advised The Claw yearbook at Bentonville West High School in Centerton, Arkansas, since 2020.
Khloe Whitten signed up for Journalism I because of an interest in creative writing. She soon came to understand not only the importance of journalism, but to become passionate about it as well, all thanks to Bowers’ influence.
“Mrs. Bowers consistently parents a staff focusing on curiosity, integrity and independence,” Whitten said. “She encourages us to chase the story, not wait for it to come to us. Through press passes and field access, she empowers us to report from football games, school events, and hallways — bringing student voices to life in our publication.”
Colleague Emily Garrison said Bowers unwavering dedication to student voices and the protection of press freedom inspires students and deeply influences other educators.
“Because of her work, Taylor has now been trusted by our administration to begin a school newspaper, a task that our public-perception-minded school has shied away from for almost a decade,” Garrison said. “She has proven that she can lead our student journalists to align with community expectations while still supporting authentic, critical conversations. Her diplomacy and passion have earned her the support of our school officials and community stakeholders to now create another avenue for student expression. I cannot express what a major hurdle this was to overcome, and I beam with excitement and pride at this new endeavor for our kids.”
Stacy Dawson, CJE
Stacy Dawson, CJE, from Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California, teaches English, beginning journalism, and has advised the Poverello yearbook for four years.
Dawson is the first adviser at Saint Francis to have an actual class for yearbook since 1956. When she started, there was no established staff or student leadership. Most photos in the book were taken by professional photographers. All of that has changed.
Now, the yearbook staff has 23 students, and the school offers two sections of a semester-long beginning journalism course and two sections of advanced journalism, making three full sections of journalism when a few years ago there were none.
California adviser Brian Wilson, MJE, is Dawson’s mentor through JEA’s mentorship program, and he has seen her impact in the classroom and in the larger journalism education community.
“Our area’s state press association, the Journalism Education Association of Northern California, has also benefited from Stacy’s presence, as she decided to run for a trustee position last year and has been a welcome addition to the board,” Wilson said. “Stacy is always willing to take on enrichment tasks and she isn’t afraid to ask questions in order to understand the mechanics of the organization.”
Dawson consistently seeks out ways become an even stronger adviser, such as attending JEANC’s Teach In. She is also enrolled in Kent State’s graduate journalism education program.
“She’s done all of this without the benefit of a journalism degree or background,” Wilson said. “Stacy was thrown into the advising deep end and isn’t just treading water. She’s thriving.”
Nicole Goodman, CJE
Nicole Goodman, CJE, advises the Wahawk Yearbook and Wahawk Insider at West High School in Waterloo, Iowa.
“Every day walking into her classroom feels like a breath of fresh air,” student Jacyn Gomez said. “While everywhere else in our school is loud and crowded, her room allows myself and my classmates to focus and utilize the resources she has given us in just five years of teaching.”
Goodman’s students also appreciate how she makes opportunities for them to learn more about journalism, such as by applying for JEA’s Partner Project and raising money to take students to the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle. She also encouraged one student, Brooklynn Berumez, to apply for the Washington Journalism and Media Conference.
“I wasn’t going to apply at first because it was so extensive and honestly something a little out of my comfort zone, but she continued to urge me to do it,” Berumez said. “Through this, I applied for a grant, set up multiple meetings, and actually went on the trip to Washington on my own. It was so amazing and pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I couldn’t have done this without the guidance of Ms. Goodman.”
Goodman’s impact is evident through the recommendation letters four students wrote on her behalf.
“She makes us better people, students, journalists and, most of all, advocates for those who may not be able to use their voice,” Gomez said. “Right when we walk into her classroom, we all know we are deeply cherished and seen.”
Darcy Hassing, CJE
Darcy Hassing, CJE, advises The Log yearbook and the Crystal Newspaper at Lakeview High School in Michigan. She is also the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association executive secretary.
MIPA President Cody Harrell, CJE, said there was something about Hassing that struck him right away. Perhaps it was that every time he saw her at a MIPA board meeting, she had questions for him.
“Whether it was if she could print the entire book on black pages or how students might incorporate artistic elements throughout the book, I was so impressed with her ideas — her fervor,” Harrell said. “She channeled all of the creative energies of her students and wanted
to find every way to advocate for their vision to come to life. No idea was too big or too small, and those kids loved their yearbook and their program. It’s hard not to be captured by that kind of infectious energy.”
At MIPA conferences, Harrell has spent time with Hassing and her students discussing ways to take the yearbook to the next level.
“Her students have the same tenacity as her — with even more creative juice,” Harrell said. “We all have brilliant ideas for our students, but to watch them take their own and create something spectacular reinforces the safety of the community that builds them up each week. Plus, I don’t think there’s a more well-loved adviser than Darcy. Her kids adore not only her commitment to their program, but her commitment to their mental health and well-being.”
Christopher Heady
Christopher Heady has advised the newspaper and yearbook at Shawnee (Kansas) Mission Northwest High School for two years. He previously worked as a professional journalist.
Shawnee Mission East adviser Dow Tate was Heady’s journalism teacher and they are now in a professional learning community together.
“I truly could have predicted that he would fit into his role as journalism teacher 14 years ago when he was my head copy editor of the SME Harbinger,” Tate said. “Even as a 17-year-old, he showed commitment to making others better writers. He sought out quality stories to read and discuss in copy editing groups, coaching the person, not just proofing a story. His passion for writing has stayed with him. You can see it in his students’ work already – one of his editors was named NSPA National Writer of the Year.”
Susan Massy was the journalism teacher and publications adviser at Shawnee Mission Northwest for 43 years before retiring.
“I have been in the classroom several times since I left (invited, I swear!),” Massy said. “It still feels like home, but it’s not mine anymore. Heady has made it a home for himself and all of his students in two short years. His students love being there and being with him. They arrive early and stay late. They are excited and they are doing good journalism. Isn’t that exactly what we all hope for?”
Jodi Hwang, CJE
Jodi Hwang, CJE, teaches digital communications CTE classes — Journalism One and Aerie Yearbook — at Los Altos High School in California. She formerly worked as a journalist in New York, Beijing and Shanghai.
Mitch Ziegler, CJE, met Hwang during the 2021-2022 school year as her mentor in JEA’s mentoring program.
“From the beginning I was impressed with her poise and sensibility,” Ziegler said. “Although new to advising, her experience as a writer, editor, teacher and parent meant that I did not really need concern myself so much with her knowledge of journalism and basic classroom management.”
Hwang inherited a yearbook full of posed photos without captions or stories.
“Jodi immediately saw the problems, and she wisely worked for incremental changes with a staff that was not inclined to accept her advice,” Ziegler said. “Over the last three years her students have been swayed by her obvious knowledge and ability to work with students, and all areas of the yearbook have significantly improved.”
Hwang has already started to give back to the wider community by organizing the media tours as a member of the local committee for the national convention in San Francisco and presenting at the JEA California Adviser Teach-in.
“It is one thing for advisers to apply for Rising Star when they have inherited award-winning programs; it is entirely something different and much more impressive to me when an adviser takes on a poor quality program and sets it on the road to journalistic success,” Ziegler said. “Jodi has quickly achieved this, and I believe this qualifies her as a Rising Star.”
Yary Lira
Yary Lira advises The Lion yearbook and teaches journalism and photojournalism at McKinney High School in Texas.
Texas Association of Journalism Educators Executive Director Cindy Todd was impressed with Lira’s teaching ability when Lira was assigned to be an assistant to Todd and Texas adviser Charla Harris in teaching a large Yearbook Bootcamp class last summer at the Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop. When Harris was reassigned, Todd asked to be paired with Lira and an assistant rather than another instructor because she was sure she’d do a terrific job.
“I was not disappointed,” Todd said. “She volunteered to teach both photo and caption writing by herself, and she did a phenomenal job. She acted as an instructor right along beside me the entire workshop, even helping provide insightful written feedback on student assignments during her free time. I couldn’t have been more grateful — or impressed. I am fully confident Yary will become a full-blown instructor at the workshop very soon.”
Interscholastic League Press Conference Director Alyssa Boehringer has also been impressed by Lira’s teaching.
“For three decades, the Lion yearbook at McKinney High School has been synonymous with journalistic excellence, including a reputation for outstanding photography and writing,” Boehringer said. “As an alumna and former adviser of the program, I rest peacefully at night knowing that Yary is at the helm of the program where I grew up and in the community I love — not only preserving its outstanding legacy, but improving that legacy handily with each passing year.”
Jeanette Lockwood
Jeanette Lockwood advises the yearbooks at Desert Ridge Junior High School and Desert Ridge High School in Mesa, Arizona.
She began advising the high school program in January when the school needed a new adviser after winter break. In 10 weeks, she took the yearbook program from two students to a full staff and completed the 240-page book on time – all while also advising the feeder junior high school’s program.
“From the moment she took over our school’s yearbook program, Jeanette transformed it into a vibrant hub of student voice and collaboration,” Desert Ridge High School Principal Scott Smith said. “What sets Jeanette apart is her ability to bring students together from all backgrounds, inspiring them to find common purpose in truth, storytelling and responsible reporting. Under her guidance, our student publications have not only grown in professionalism and impact, but also in heart. Students who once felt invisible have found their voice in digital communication, empowered by Jeanette’s unwavering support.”
Lockwood spent the summer getting a certificate in digital communication media from the Arizona Board of Education so that the high school yearbook program would qualify for Career and Technical Education credits. She also grew the class from one section to three sections for this school year.
“Whether mentoring first-time reporters, organizing workshops or advocating for press freedoms, she gives fully of herself every single day,” Smith said. “The impact on our school culture and on students’ lives is immeasurable in the very short time she has been with us.”
Marie McCulloch
Marie McCulloch advises the yearbook at Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian, Idaho.
Walsworth Yearbooks representative Jake Lee said McCulloch is the “is the most talented adviser I have worked with in all my 26 years in the yearbook industry.”
“While I could write pages about her journalism skills, leadership abilities and the many talents that have produced amazing, award-winning yearbooks, it is Marie’s character I appreciate most,” Lee said. “While teaching her students design, photography, writing and many other skills, she simultaneously develops student leaders that are character driven and ambitious for greatness.”
Mackenna Gleave was a senior when McCulloch became the yearbook adviser. Although she was nervous at first about having a new adviser, she quickly came to appreciate the energy McCulloch brought to the position. Gleave has kept in touch with McCulloch as she pursues a degree in journalism at the University of Montana, where she is a reporter and design editor of the Montana Kaimin and editor-in-chief of Byline Magazine.
“I can genuinely say, I would not be in the spot I am today without the inspiration or push McCulloch gave me,” Gleave said. “The honesty, hard work and high expectations she always has for her students truly set me up for success in college. She wants nothing more than for you to succeed, keep getting better and be proud of the product you took the time to make.”
Ethan Pender, CJE
Ethan Pender, CJE, has advised the Jabberwock yearbook, Darlingtonian student news and Inkslinger literary magazine at Darlington School in Rome, Georgia, since 2022. His passion for scholastic journalism began as a Darlington student, where he served as editor-in-chief of all three publications.
Former Darlington School Media Arts Director Adrienne Forgette was Pender’s adviser when he was in high school.
“As a student, Ethan lived and breathed student publications,” Forgette said. “Now, Ethan is paying that experience forward. He has stepped into the role of adviser with the same dedication, helping his students reach national competitions and pursue journalism in college.”
Media consultant and retired adviser Mitch Eden got to know Pender when he was a student in the Media Now workshop over 10 years ago.
“I could tell right away that his passion for journalism was contagious and that he was destined for great things,” Eden said. “That passion has only grown since he stepped into his advising role at Darlington. Over the years, we have stayed in touch as he navigated his new responsibilities and sought guidance to build something truly special — always with the goal of empowering students and giving them ownership of their publication. This alone signaled to me that Ethan was doing things for the right reasons. He encourages, guides and uses his expertise to make learning enjoyable for his students, and he empowers them as leaders and decision-makers. I’ve found Ethan to be on a mission: to gather ideas, teach and inspire, and lend a helping hand whenever called upon.”
Jamie Reynolds
Jamie Reynolds has advised the yearbook at Melbourne High School in Florida since 2021 and launched the school’s first digital newspaper in 2024, which she also advises.
Varsity Yearbook sales representative Teenie Reddeck, CJE, has known Reynolds since she was a yearbook editor in high school. A couple years after returning to her former high school to teach English, she agreed to co-advise the yearbook for a year before stepping into the role completely.
“That’s when it became apparent that she’d been wanting more,” Reddeck said. “While there were strong systems in place, Jamie was all about more. More organization, more efficiency and more fun.”
One example of this is seen in distributing the yearbooks. The staff distributes nearly 1,000 books in less than an hour, but the relevance and fun factor encourage students to stick around signing their friends’ books, giving everyone a chance to celebrate the year together.
“In my 11 years as a yearbook rep, I have worked with hundreds of advisers and many who have impressed me,” Reddeck said. “There are those who are intelligent, kind and organized. Some who are super techy and others who are sales machines. Jamie is all of those things. There are far fewer who are as curious, passionate or hungry to learn as Jamie. In fact, I can confidently say that she stands alone as the newer adviser who gives me great hope for the future of scholastic journalism.”
Katheryn White
Katheryn White advises the Voyage yearbook at Gulfport High School in Mississippi. She is also a member of the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association board.
Mississippi adviser Shari Chumley, MJE, knows White from their work on the MSPA board.
“Ms. White is passionate about her yearbook staff members as individuals and is dedicated to helping each one reach their potential while creating an award-winning publication,” Chumley said. “She cares deeply about all students and encourages them to own their successes and failures. She runs a reflective publication classroom and inspires her students to always seek greatness.”
MSPA Director R.J. Morgan, MJE, became acquainted with White when she attended the MSPA conventions. Her staff attended for the first time in 2021. The following fall, they won the award as the best yearbook in the state, a first for their school. The next year, they won the award again, winning back-to-back in only her third year.
“Now, Katie will quickly tell you it was her students who won those championships, not her. And she’s right,” Morgan said. “But it also takes a special adviser to recruit, retain and inspire such talent. It takes someone willing to arrive early, stay late and push students to become nothing short of their best selves. It takes someone with content knowledge, organizational skills and a big personality. It takes someone who cares about their school and community, and who takes pride in excellence. That person, in our state, is Katheryn White.”
Louisa Avery, MJE, JEA Awards Committee chair