She was honored April 9 with the National High School Yearbook Adviser of the Year award from the Journalism Education Association. Although she has received numerous awards, she said this one is the best of her career. Students and mentors wrote letters of recommendation for the award. The walls of Massy s journalism classroom are lined with awards the publications have won as well as picture frames containing work from past photographers. Notes reminding students to attend photo shoots, interview sources and meet deadlines blanket the marker board.
Students work on computers behind a glass wall.
Massy jokes they think the wall is soundproof and adds that they must pay a quarter when she hears cuss words uttered. The room is chaotic. Massy s phone rings constantly as she answers a student s question about a digital camera and looks over yearbook proofs. Students run in and out as they interview sources and finish last-minute details on the 2000 yearbook. Two students search for a computer file.