John Gonczy, IJEA vice president, was one of the masters of ceremony. Gonczy teaches journalism and advises at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago.

Linda Puntney, JEA executive director, was the evening’s keynote speaker. She reminded the audience of the past 20 years, and asked them to consider their own careers and their personal 20-year journeys.

Erin Wood, 2005 Illinois Journalist of the Year, spoke to the group about her time as a high school journalist at Richwoods High School in Peoria, noting the strong relationship and mentoring form her adviser, Dan Kerns. Wood, a senior at Bradley University, was the editor of the student newspaper, the Scout, and now writes for the Peoria Star Journal.

Tom Winski, formerly of Monmouth High School and now a professor at Emporia State (Kan.) University spoke about the early years of IJEA. He also pledged to provide a scholarship in memory of his father to an outstanding high school photojournalist.

Stan Zoller, an IJEA board of directors member, was one of the masters of ceremony. Zoller teaches journalism and advises at Rolling Meadows High School.

All photos by Dan Kerns, IJEA secretary