We welcome your information about chapter members or activities that deserve congratulations! Please e-mail your submissions to Communications Coordinator
May 2009
Congratulations to B.J. Guerrero, winner of the ETSPJ high school essay contest chaired by Larry Van Guilder, Shopper-News Now. B. J. is a 12th grade student of Joy Caleb at Upperman High School, Baxter. He receives a certificate and check for $50 from the ETSPJ Chapter and his essay is being sent up to the National contest where he could win a scholarship of up to $1,000. Here is his winning essay.
“Why free news media are important”
BY B.J. GUERRERO
Freedom of speech-a phrase that so many people have trouble understanding. What is so hard about freedom of speech? We have the right to say what is on our minds, and no one has the right to take that freedom away from us. It is with this freedom that we get information that is vital to our everyday lives; it is with this freedom that we do not live in a world blindfolded from the truth. This freedom has given birth to a new weapon: free news media.
Free news media are an essential part of everyday life because they inform the society of events that are paramount to our knowledge. I was born in The Philippines, and my stay there was not a very pleasant experience. Over there, poverty and scarcity of food devour the lands. Televisions, newspapers and phones are almost nonexistent in some places. In contrast, the United States has one of the world’s largest communications services, and in addition, we are the world’s most prosperous country. We need free news media to balance the scale. In countries such as The Philippines, some areas need to know what is occurring in the world around them. People in those areas are already stricken with poor housing and food, why do you want to make their lives worse? Let them be informed and educated in events that are happening within their area, and their lives will be better.
Also, free news media give students like me and many other people [a means] to voice their opinions. Where would we be without Martin Luther King Jr. speaking about the errors of racism and the beauty of unity? Where would we be without President Barack H. Obama giving his inaugural address to the country? This freedom allowed others to speak what is on their minds and give the general public an idea of what and how they think. Some speeches may not be the best in terms of context, but the overall idea is that they got to speak freely without bounds.
My experience as an immigrant and my experience in news media class got me to realize how important free news media really are. I would give up soda; I would give up my personal belongings; I would give up eating sweets; but I will never give up the right that was given to me-speech.
April 2009
The Tennessee Journalist and The Daily Beacon received several awards in The Mark of Excellence contest. The awards were presented at the Region 12 conference April 4 in Little Rock, Ark.
The Tennessee Journalist received two first-place awards including one for Best All-Around Independent Online Student Publication. Writer Robert Mitchell won first place in the online sports reporting category for his article “Phillip Fulmer to step down after 2008 season.”
The Tennessee Journalist staff also received a second place award for online feature reporting. Tennessee Journalist writer Cliff Chartraud received a second-place award in online sports reporting for his article “Jones and Taylor form Dynamic Duo.” Michael Tabler received a third-place award in the online news reporting category for his article “Students react to budget cuts.”
The staff of The Daily Beacon received a second-place award for Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper. Beacon writer Nancy S. Robinson received a second-place award in the feature writing category for her profile on professor George K. Schweitzer.
September 2008
Chapter member and Communications Coordinator Jean Ash received one of two Howard S. Dubin Outstanding Professional Member Awards at the National convention in Atlanta.
In a news release, SPJ said that Jean has been a member of the East Tennessee Pro chapter of the Society (ETSPJ) since the 1970s and has served in every elected position on the board there. For the past several years, Ash has been the chapter’s communications director, which “would cost us hundreds and hundreds of dollars if we were paying true professional dollars,” according to the chapter’s secretary Elenora Edwards in her recommendation letter.
In addition to this role, Ash has served as chairwoman of the chapter’s annual Front Page Follies fundraiser for three years. This is a yearlong project that requires the chairperson select an honoree, write the script for a roast of local newsmakers, publicize the event, sell tickets, reserve a space to hold the event and many other things. This fundraiser is critical to the work of the ETSPJ because it provides funds for three scholarships to college journalism students and operating money for the chapter to send delegates to regional and national meetings.
Ash also led the efforts to establish the chapter’s Web site. She attended courses on HTML to equip herself to keep the page up-to-date and researched the best hosting sites for the chapter’s limited budget.
Because of her above-and-beyond commitment to the chapter, Ash’s fellow ETSPJ member Adina Chumley said Ash is most deserving of the Howard S. Dubin Award.
“Our programs are well-publicized and well-attended thanks to Jean,” Chumley wrote in her nomination letter. “She ensures our newsletters and postcard reminders are printed and delivered on time. Jean also attends ETSPJ programs to help with the all-important details from set up to wrap up. She exemplifies the high standards and fellowship of members such as Howard Dubin.”
“I’m delighted to hear of this wonderful honor, especially since I’ve known Howard for many years and know just how much he has contributed to SPJ,” Ash said after hearing she was one of this year’s outstanding professional members. “I am indebted to those in the East Tennessee Pro Chapter who nominated me since they too deserve great thanks for all they do.”
[updated 12/4/09]
