News release from the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association
Yearbook adviser Jennifer Erxleben receives the South Carolina Scholastic Press Association’s Rising Star Award from the namesake of the award, Bruce Konkle.
The South Carolina Scholastic Press Association awarded Jennifer Erxleben of South Florence High School the Bruce E. Konkle Rising Star Award for her work in the field of journalism. The award was presented at the SCSPA Fall Conference on Oct. 6.
Karen Flowers, the Director of SCSPA, said, “The purpose of this award is to recognize scholastic journalism advisers who are making a difference in the lives of their media students by modeling what it’s like to be excited about learning, encouraging professionalism in media production and creating excitement in their classrooms for the love of written verbal and visual communications.”
In her fourth year as adviser of South Florence’s yearbook Ursa Major, Erxleben has received kudos for her positive example to her students. South Florence Principal Carol Hill commended Erxleben for her “personal passion, and positive and growing influence on our society’s next generation of journalists.”
Hill also added that Erxleben was “a responsible business manager who worked with integrity and who was energized by the creative process” as she “built capacity for journalistic excellence and leadership in students.”
Herff Jones yearbook representative Brandi Moss applauded Erxleben’s desire to “improve in every area of journalism, from managing her staff to improving coverage, writing and design.”
Moss also said, “She is the finest example of today’s yearbook adviser and a true role model for all other students, programs, schools and yearbooks today.”
Journalism Education Association Mentor Marilyn Chapman gave Erxleben praise for her “enthusiasm that makes her such a good role model for her classes.”
Chapman also noted Erxleben’s positive outlook, her energy and her desire to continue to learn about journalistic style and standards.
Among several nominees in the state, Jennifer Erxleben accepted the honor, which was presented by the founder of the award, Bruce E. Konkle, Associate Professor of Visual Communications in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. SCSPA staff and members in the audience gave her a standing ovation.
A veteran teacher at both Wilson and South Florence High Schools for 14 years, Erxleben is an alum of West Florence High School.
Jennifer Erxleben was Marilyn Chapman’s mentee from 2011 to 2013. The two are still in contact when Jennifer has questions or when Marilyn at South Forence High School for an activity or to work with another mentee.