Scholastic Journalism Week committee appointed to coordinate, expand annual programming
Seven student media advisers have been appointed to a Scholastic Journalism Week committee to plan and execute the organization’s signature SJW programming. PJ Cabrera, CJE, will lead the group as program coordinator.

Cabrera teaches journalism at Judson High School in Converse, Texas, where he advises The Fuel student newspaper and The Rocket yearbook. In his 10th year teaching, Cabrera also serves as Region 6 Representative for the Texas Association of Journalism Educators and is working on his Ed.D.
“More than anything, I am excited to network with scholastic journalists and advisers from all over the country, to spotlight big schools and small schools, from urban areas to rural areas,” Cabrera said. “We need to connect advisers from all over the country — there are so many advisers doing great work. Because of variables outside their control, they may not be getting that spotlight. The best thing about SJW is seeing so many ideas from all over the country and simply learning from each other.”
To build upon the success of past Scholastic Journalism Week activities, Cabrera will collaborate with six appointed committee members and fellow advisers:

Louisa Avery, MJE, advises The Standard newspaper in print and online at The American School in London.

Phillip Caston advises Legend yearbook at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Adriana Chavira, MJE, advises The Pearl Post news site and Prestige yearbook at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School in Lake Balboa, California.

Jordyn Kiel, CJE, advises Excalibur yearbook and serves as co-adviser to FHN Media at Francis Howell North High School in Saint Charles, Missouri.

Julie Kuo, CJE, advises The Blazer newspaper at The Branson School in Ross, California.

Shanon Woolf advises McIntosh Student Media, including Legend yearbook and McIntosh Trail news site, in Peachtree City, Georgia.
The formation of a committee was a shift by JEA President Sarah Nichols, MJE, designed to provide more leadership opportunities in the organization and build upon a variety of ideas and perspectives involved in the week’s planning.
“It’s essential for our annual Scholastic Journalism Week efforts to reach all of our members. From the fun, celebratory aspect to the critical component of advocacy, the activities should be designed by and geared toward a diverse, inclusive community. Drawing in these voices and the expertise from such an all-star team of teacher-leaders will help expand the reach of SJW and take advantage of the opportunity to inspire, teach, train, support and sustain our colleagues and the students they advise in journalism programs of all types,” Nichols said.
Scholastic Journalism Week takes place the last full week in February each year.
Cabrera said, “I want to see more students and advisers getting the spotlight they deserve. We have to make SJW a week in which we are featuring every type of kid from every corner of America, with more diversity from urban areas to rural areas, to show the amazing education that happens in journalism classrooms.”
Connie Fulkerson