Posted Monday, June 12, 2006, The OG, news

A statewide organization of journalism teachers and advisers has named Director/Principal Kassie Patton its 2006 Administrator of the Year.

The Illinois Journalism Education Association presented the award to Patton during a ceremony held Saturday at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in downtown Springfield. The event, which also honored the IJEA's Journalist of the Year and All-State Journalism Team, was co-hosted by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Illinois Press Association. Several newspapers co-sponsored the event, including The News-Gazette.

Patton was honored for her commitment to the First Amendment rights of students, particularly freedom of the press.

David Porreca, who advises Uni's student newspaper, the Gargoyle, nominated Patton for the award.

In comments introducing Patton to the audience, Porreca noted that Uni has a strong record of director/principals who believe in defending the rights of student expression.

“Uni High prides itself on maintaining an open environment in which talented — and highly opinionated — students can flourish,” he said. “In her three years at Uni, Kassie Patton has had her dedication to this ideal tested on several occasions. And in every instance, she has been unwavering in her support of student journalists to report controversial stories and express their opinions, which at times can be quite critical. She expects students to take their responsibilities seriously. But in return, she's made clear that she has their backs.”

As an example, Porreca cited Patton's support of the Gargoyle staff when it reported in early 2005 on the dismissal of three students who had hacked into the school's computer system. Parents of the dismissed students had threatened to take action against the school if stories about the incident were published.

“Kassie stood squarely behind our decision to go ahead with the coverage and never suggested that we do otherwise,” Porreca said.

Patton also supported The Online Gargoyle in March of this year when it published multiple articles on the arrest of an assistant track and cross-country coach on charges of sexual misconduct with minors.

Indeed, Porreca noted, Patton's support was essential in getting The Online Gargoyle up and running in the first place.

“Last summer, when students began to work on a prototype for an online version of the Gargoyle, we knew that everything depended on whether Kassie would trust us with an online publication,” Porreca told the audience. “From the moment we discussed our plans with her, she has been our strongest advocate.”

Director/Principal Kassie Patton displays the 2006 Administrator of the Year award that she received Saturday in Springfield from the Illinois Journalism Education Association in recognition of her commitment to supporting the First Amendment rights of students. With her is Sally Turner, journalism professor at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and IJEA executive secretary.

Click photo to enlarge

photo by David Porreca