(This article, reprinted with permission and written by Bexley City Schools superintendent Michael Johnson, featuring yet another accolade for the Torch, appeared in Bexley News on October 28, 2009) 11/9/09

Student newspaper carries on its tradition of excellence

SUPERINTENDENT'S NOTEBOOK
Published: Monday, October 26, 2009 5:23 PM EDT

More than 84 years ago, Bexley High School's student newspaper, The Torch received its first recognition through a congratulatory letter from S. Carlyle Adams, educational editor of the Columbus Dispatch.

His letter was published in the second issue of The Torch on Nov. 24, 1925. Adams was impressed by the "lively spirit" of the articles and "excellently written editorials" in the first issue of The Torch.

Last week, Julie Horger, teacher sponsor of The Torch, learned the 2008-09 volume of the paper was once again the top winner of the Quill and Scroll George Gallup Award, sponsored by the Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Congratulations are extended to Horger and the chief 2008-09 senior editors, Lucy Freccia, Grace Curran and Amanda Pierce, for their dedication and leadership.

The Torch picked up the top national recognition by receiving 999 points out of 1,000 possible points in the rating system. One judge stated, "The Torch is the absolute best high school paper I have critiqued, and I do this all year long for various associations and state competitions. They do everything right."


According to the Quill and Scroll Web site, the George H. Gallup award is the highest award granted by the university's school of journalism. Quill and Scroll was founded in 1926 to encourage and recognize individual achievements in journalism and scholastic publication.

The Torch has a longstanding reputation for quality in writing and design. The editors and staff of the paper have worked hard to publish issues that inform, entertain, question and investigate.

Our students are able to write their articles without prior review or censorship. This means the administration and the Board of Education extend a considerable amount of freedom to the school's student-managed school newspaper. As a result, such controversial subjects as teenage sex and dating, substance abuse, school climate and diversity have been addressed.

Keeping these free press values in mind, the students have been able to challenge the decision making of the district's administration and the content and application of school board policy. The students take great care to ensure that reporting is accurate and true while avoiding claims of defamation.

The Torch experience allows our students to have an opportunity to develop some sophisticated leadership skills. The values of responsibility, integrity, fairness and freedom are held and applied as each and every issue of The Torch is written and published.

I hold every reporter and editor of The Torch in high admiration. I am so proud of their accomplishments and achievements. I encourage you to read this excellent student newspaper and judge for yourself -- the October issue of The Torch will be mailed to every household in Bexley this week.

I want to thank the community, the administration and staff, the Board of Education, and especially Julie Horger for creating, maintaining and allowing the freedom for our students to pursue their learning and seek the truth in all the subjects they explore.

This column was provided by Michael Johnson, superintendent of Bexley City Schools.
 

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