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Small donations mean big things for KHSJA papers
For the third straight year, we recently asked our publishers to sponsor their local high schools in the Kentucky High School Journalism Association. Yes, the timing stunk with ³downsizing² being the buzz word of the industry this year it wasnıt an easy decision, nor one that we did without a great deal of thought.
But we decided the commitment to high school journalism programs was too important to let the sluggish economy totally dictate our efforts.
And, once again, newspapers are answering the call. In fact, this yearıs early response is the best yet. I had phone calls from four newspapers the day after we sent out the letter. Talk about not wasting any time!
Thus far, weıve heard from the following papers: Central Kentucky News Journal, Georgetown News-Graphic, Mt. Sterling Advocate, Henderson Gleaner, Lebanon Enterprise, Grayson County News-Gazette, Anderson News, Kentucky New Era, Oldham Era, Columbia News, Danville Advocate-Messenger, Bowling Green Daily News, The Kentucky Standard, Shelbyville Sentinel-News and Springfield Sun.
These papers, and the others who are in the process of filling out the sponsorship form, know the $50 per school membership fee is much more than just fifty bucks the journalism adviser wonıt have to try and come up with itıs the first step of that bridge between eager young journalists and the real world of newspapering. Itıs a gesture of good will on behalf of the newspaper and one that wonıt easily be forgotten.
But hereıs where you have to take David T. Thompsonıs advice from last month: toot your own horn. Donıt just write the check or have it deducted from your KPS advertising revenue and be done with it. Weıll send the adviser a letter, telling them their membership has been paid by the their local newspaper ... and hopefully, the advisers take the time to send a letter of thanks, too.
But why not let the public know your commitment to education as well? Call the adviser and ask if a photographer can come by and snap a picture of you and the newspaper staff and run it with a nice caption detailing the newspaperıs involvement with the school newspaper or yearbook. These type of things go a long way in the publicıs eye and will help reinforce to the students your newspaperıs interest in their high school journalism program.
The fruits of the investment are starting to pay off. Weıve heard several reports from college advisers who talk about students coming out of high school who had positive experiences in KHSJA (winning awards, great convention speakers, etc.) who are ³pumped up² about a career in newspapers.
Weıve told Kentuckyıs high school journalism advisers and students that weıre in this for the long haul ... and that means in good times and bad. The former high school press association in the state disbanded some 20 years ago for lack of funding and Kentucky was without one (the only state in the U.S., or so we think, and not a distinction I think we want back) until the formation of KHSJA.
Five years ago, KPA was the only state press association to operate its state high school journalism association. Now, two states have followed our lead and we frequently get calls from others interested in at least getting more involved in their scholastic state organizations.
I know times are tough, financially, for newspapers. I read the stories and know from contacts across the state that, unfortunately, Kentucky isnıt immune from the depressing economic trends that currently envelope our industry. But making an investment in scholastic education, as KPA did five years ago when it launched the high school journalism association, is something that can only pay off in the long run.
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