Medal of Merit

CSMA Medal of Merit
Download a 2-page PDF of the rules and the nomination form here.

This award honors individuals who dedicate time, effort and specialized skills as publication advisers and proudly recognizes those who have made a positive difference in the scholastic journalism community. These unique individuals denote consistency, dependability and inspiration, are role models for their students and show pride in their school and community. They add honor to the profession of journalism education, make their colleagues proud to call them master educators and make a difference for past, present and future journalists.

Criteria:
• active publication adviser for a minimum of 20 years, at least 8 years in Colorado
• member of CSMA
• contributions over extended period of time have been of an extraordinary nature

Process:
• Selection will follow a 2-step process:
1. submission of Nomination Form by one or more persons
2. completion, by nominee, of Accomplishment  Form
• Any number of nominees will be considered but no more than two nominees will be selected to receive the award each year.
• Nominees will only be considered in the year they are nominated
• Advisers may be nominated an unlimited number of times.

Definitions:
Publication Adviser – A publication adviser is an active teacher who works with students in the production of a journalistic medium at the high school or middle school level, curricular or extra-curricular. The mediums include: newspaper, newsmagazine, yearbook, broadcast, website or a convergent media that encompasses two or more of these media.

Teacher – An individual who not only supervises students who produce a publication, but takes an active roll in ensuring they gain journalistic skills and knowledge.