2017 MJEA Friend of Scholastic Journalism
Jim Dumont from Jostens has been named the 2016-2017 Missouri Journalism Education Association’s Friend of Scholastic Journalism winner.
This award is given to a professional journalist, professional media outlet or other individual or group making a significant contribution to scholastic journalism.
Dumont was nominated by Mitch Eden from Kirkwood High School. In his nomination letter, Eden said, “Jim Dumont brings a plethora of knowledge in journalism and printing and publishing. He has 18 years of experience as a rep in the St. Louis and the southern Missouri region. He earned his Certified Journalism Educator credentials with JEA and is a veteran workshop presenter. He is a master at Yeartech Online and has trained representatives throughout the Jostens sales force as well as training students and teachers in workshop settings and one-on-one in the classroom. Jim is passionate about what he does for Jostens. He has made long-term commitments to the field and will continue to work within the school setting because he loves what he does.”
However, it is Dumont’s devotion to schools in Southern Missouri,that needs specific mentioning. In an area forgotten by many, Dumont has helped build several programs each year that support advisers and kids. He organizes one of the state’s largest conferences each September at SEMO. More than 40 schools and 500 students attended this year’s event featuring contests, speakers and learning sessions. He does a spring workshop as well, helping staffs get prepared for the summer and upcoming school year. In addition, he just began a free summer workshop at Richland H.S. In its first year last summer, about 50 students attended the all-day workshop on photography, leadership and concept development. He is continuing to look for ways to keep programs plugged in and supported.
He is the ultimate advocate for kids and teachers. He continually supports my efforts as an MJEA officer. When SEMSPA, the southern Missouri journalism teacher organization, disbanded, he helped me network and keep the group together as MJEA members. This year, he even paid the JEA and MJEA memberships of any former SEMSPA member interested in joining. Needless to say, without Jim’s help, many teachers and programs in Southern Missouri would not be receiving the support they are today.
The Missouri Journalism Education Association is the largest state scholastic journalism organization formed to help protect and enhance scholastic journalism in Missouri. MJEA works to provide outreach and support to advisers and journalism programs across the state. MJEA supports free and responsible scholastic journalism by providing resources and educational opportunities, by promoting professionalism, by encouraging and rewarding student excellence and teacher achievement, and by fostering an atmosphere which encompasses diversity yet builds unity.
