Last month, journalism adviser Lori Larson was awarded with the Journalism Education Association Rising Star Award, an award that recognizes their commitment to both scholastic journalism and advising. Larson was among nine other advisers across the country receiving this award.
“It was really cool that I was recognized as an adviser, but I wouldn’t have that recognition without our great staff,” she said.

However, her dedication is not the only thing that has contributed to her success.
She has taught her students about overcoming adversities. “She has been dealing with hard stuff that has been happening this year, and she still comes up and checks on us to see if we are doing okay,” said junior Josie Preece.

Larson feels as though even though she won this award, everyone earned it. “This year was hard for all of us, and we’ve really come together to overcome that challenge,” she said.

Her students have agreed that what she has taught them has extended far past strictly journalism. “[She’s taught me] that no matter how hard things are, they will always get better,” said yearbook editor Haley Ablard, “and she taught me how to be a leader, and how to respect myself and others.”