Connersville High School’s Ashley Gross can’t seem to absorb enough knowledge or gain enough experience in her chosen field of journalism. Her quest has lead to the highest individual honor a high school journalism student can earn.

Serving as the editor of her nationally recognized newspaper and yearbook, Ashley has filled her four-year high school career with state and national workshops, conventions, contests and special projects. Her adviser, Lisa Morris, calls her a jack-of-all-trades but says Ashley’s special love is design work.
Because of her leadership and desire to learn, Ashley Gross was named the Indiana High School Press Association’s “Journalist of the Year” this week. As Indiana’s representative, Ashley’s portfolio will be considered in the Journalism Education Association’s search for The National High School Journalist of the Year to be announced this spring.

“I witness Ashley’s leadership skills daily,” said Morris, who added that Gross is a “team player” who patiently teaches other staff members and “goes out of her way to to make everyone feel appreciated.

Morris added that Gross is an excellent writer and photographer but especially enjoys putting together story packages that display a “clean, crisp design with graphic unity.” As an editor of both staffs, Gross is described as “meticulous” about checking pages for errors. “She will bring that same attention to detail to her work in the future,” said Morris.

The “Journalist of the Year” program reflects the highest individual award given by the IHSPA, according to Dennis Cripe, director. “Indiana is blessed with strong journalism programs. Our student publications are among the best in the nation and that’s why our individual winners often do quite well in national competition,” Cripe said.

Begun by the JEA in 1984, the Journalist of the Year program offers Sister Rita Jeanne scholarships of $5,000 to the national winner and $2,000 to the four runners up. Gross will receive a $500 scholarship for representing Indiana. JEA will announce the national winners at their spring convention April 13 and profile the winners at: www.jea.org. Ashley will also be profiled on the IHSPA website at: psj.franklincollege.edu/ihspa.