Two Colorado advisers were recognized this week in the JEA Adviser of the Year announcements.

Justin Daigle, adviser at Brighton High School, was named the H. L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year. The surprise announcement was made on Dec. 9th during a school staff meeting. The H.L. Hall National Yearbook Adviser of the Year program is designed to honor outstanding advisers and their exemplary work from the previous year, as well as throughout their careers. 2024 Reflections Editor-in-Chief Gabriella Polliard had this to say about Daigle. “Our yearbook would not be what it is without his guidance. We wouldn’t be who we are without him. I know I wouldn’t be,” Polliard said. “He changed my life just like he changed my brother’s and sister’s. Everything he does is to better a person and our yearbook and none of it goes unnoticed. I am only one student out of hundreds who would agree that Mr. Daigle is the most caring, hardworking and inspiring teacher there is out there.”

Carrie Faust, adviser at Smoky Hill High School, was named a Commended Adviser. This is a new award from JEA. Former student Tu Phan met Faust 17 years ago and said the time spent watching kinetic typography videos in her room during lunch is a core memory. “In that yearbook room, I learned to appreciate the nuances of design and storytelling. She instilled in me a passion to see the world through a creative lens when so many others pushed me into math and science,” Phan said. “Picas and pixels became my second language, and to this day, I approach my work as an associate creative director at Uber with the same principles she imparted. Inspired by her mentorship, I now give back by teaching aspiring creatives at Miami Ad School, hoping to pass on the encouragement and warmth that she shared with me.”

The full story about both advisers is available on the JEA website here.