Former Colleagues, Students Mourn Passing of Rodney Lowe
Linda Jones, IJEA Executive Director
August 29, 2020
The retired educator died Aug. 25. During his three decades of teaching and advising at Evanston Township High School, Rodney Lowe built a widely admired journalism program but more importantly influenced generations of students with his dedication to excellence and the rights student journalists.
Remembering Bill Colosimo
John J. Gonczy, CJE, Illinois JEA President
June 10, 2020
One of IJEA's founding members, William Colosimo, died on May 29 at the age of 81. He taught English and journalism at Addison Trail for three decades, retiring in 2003. As adviser of the school newspaper, the Torch, Bill was the consummate advocate for his students and for scholastic journalism.
Congratulations to our 2020 All-State Journalism Team!
Dave Porreca, CJE, Illinois JEA Board Member
May 20, 2020
The IJEA is proud to announce the members of the 2020 All-State Journalism Team. The 12 students selected for the honor were nominated by their respective advisers in recognition of the indispensable contributions they made to their publications during the 2019-20 school year.
Congratulations to our 2020 Newspaper & Digital News winners!
Dave Porreca, CJE, Illinois JEA Board Member
May 14, 2020
Whether it was dealing with a Chicago teachers strike in the fall or a statewide closure of schools in the spring, Illinois high school journalists have overcome one challenge after another this year. Check out the best of their work as we announce the winners of our 2020 Newspaper & Digital News Contest!
“NSPA Live from Minneapolis”: Illinois students honored at virtual ceremony
Dave Porreca, CJE, Illinois JEA Board Member
April 19, 2020
Even though the 2020 Spring National High School Journalism Conference was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Illinois student journalists nonetheless received national recognition for their work thanks to a virtual ceremony held April 17. Congratulations to all!
Congratulations to our 2019 Yearbook Contest winners!
Dave Porreca, CJE, Illinois JEA Board Member
January 6, 2020
Throughout Illinois, no matter the size of the school or program, yearbook staffs and advisers created wonderful journalism as they told the stories of their 2018-19 school year. In recognition of that work, the IJEA is proud to announce the winners of our 2019 Yearbook Contest!
Illinois students take home national awards from JEA/NSPA Fall Convention
Dave Porreca, CJE, Illinois JEA Board Member
December 5, 2019
Nearly 90 awards went to Illinois student journalists and publications at the Nov. 21-24 event in Washington, D.C., including two first-place awards. One of those top honors came in the 2019 Digital Story of the Year contest and the other in Best of Show. Congrats to all of the winners and their advisers!
IJEA State Director Brenda Field honored at 2019 National Journalism Convention
Dave Porreca, CJE, Illinois JEA Board Member
December 3, 2019
Brenda Field, MJE, Glenbrook South yearbook adviser and IJEA board member, has been named one of this year’s five recipients of the Journalism Education Association’s Medal of Merit. She received the award at the 2019 JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Washington, D.C.
A new era begins for IJEA
John Gonczy, Prof. Linda Jones, and Dr. Sally Renaud
May 15, 2019
Effective June 1, the IJEA will have a new headquarters and a new executive director. Earlier this year the IJEA board voted unanimously to relocate its headquarters to the Illinois Press Association/Illinois Press Foundation office in Springfield, with Prof. Linda Jones as IJEA’s new executive director.
Richwoods High School principal named 2019 Administrator of the Year
Dave Porreca, CJE, Elmwood Park School District 401
April 5, 2019
Students from the Peoria school's broadcasting, newspaper and yearbook programs surprised Principal Brett Elliott with news of the award, which he received for his support of scholastic journalism. "He allows students the freedom, with responsibility, to be the best they can be,” IJEA said.
Prospect High School student named 2019 Illinois Journalist of the Year
March 4, 2019
Ayse Eldes, a senior at Prospect High School in Mount Prospect, has been named the 2019 Illinois Journalist of the Year. She is IJEA’s 30th Journalist of the Year since 1989 and the first Prospect student to be named the state’s top scholastic journalist. Congratulations to Ayse and adviser Jason Block!
Congratulations to our 2018 Yearbook Contest winners!
January 26, 2019
Throughout Illinois, no matter the size of the school or program, yearbook staffs and advisers created wonderful journalism as they told the stories of their 2017-18 school year. In recognition of that work, the IJEA is proud to announce the winners of our 2018 Yearbook Contest!