March 17, 2025
Our past three editions
March 3, 2025 Boycotts • Egg yolks • “Shrek 5”
Feb. 25, 2025 Dumb phones • Coffee • Freedom of the press
Feb. 10, 2025 Blood donations • Immigration • Media in the Trump administration
THE LEAD
Half workforce slashed at DOE
Show the possible impact on campus
The Trump administration cut the Department of Education’s staff this week by almost 50 percent. A CNN article also quotes Education Secretary Linda McMahon as saying the layoffs are the first step to shut down the department — although this would require approval from Congress.
What you can do —
While it may take many days — or even months — to fully understand the ramifications, it doesn’t mean student journalists should shy away from covering it. Questions arise as to the effect it will have on many students, and how it could impact those who are low-income, have student loans and/or IEPs. Also, FAFSA also is under this department. How might this impact seniors at your school?
Noteworthy
Misinformation training could improve media discernment
Journalists could include more information about ‘pre-bunking’ of information
A new study in Nature Communication finds that misinformation training helps people to identify fake news. This CNN article discussed the difference in “debunking vs. pre-bunking,” which “helps build an immunity to manipulation before they are exposed to false claims.” The study’s authors encourage readers to download apps that help them learn how to spot misinformation as well as identify misleading statements.
What you can do —
Not only could you hyperlink to sites such as this that “test your knowledge” of misinformation like CNN did, you could also find and vet other similar sites to help educate students about identifying misinformation.
It might be a good idea to also remind people to think before they share on social media.
What’s viral
Landmark Supreme Court case discussed in new book
Journalist protections examined in new media era
If you’re teaching media law or ethics currently — or just want a great topic for discussion — Columbia Journalism Review published an interview with New York Times business investigations editor David Enrich. The Q and A discusses his new book, “Murder the Truth: Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful,” which covers New York Times v. Sullivan and the fear of attack on the First Amendment.
What you can do —
In addition to the obvious discussion centering around Times v. Sullivan and its protection for journalists, classes could discuss the purpose of the press and even look at the current court. At the end, the article addresses self censorship. How does self censorship play a role on your campus?
IT’S AN HONOR
It’s always membership season
Don’t forget you can nominate members year-round
It’s time to beat the spring rush and nominate students for membership, order pins, cords and other Quill and Scroll materials and memorabilia.
We haven’t changed the ordering process from last year. For those wanting to ditch the paper version, you just need to select the form based on how you would like to pay. We have one version for credit card and another version for check or purchase order. (We’ve added buttons for ease of finding these.) As usual, credit card payments are charged $4.49 per order for processing.
We also have added a membership ordering guide to our site.
While you’re ordering, don’t forget to include any cords and other Quill and Scroll materials and memorabilia.
If your initiation is the week of April 14 now is the time to order!
Members-only area reminder
If you haven’t accessed our members-only area, we encourage you to do so. While we hope to expand this feature, you can find bell ringers, lesson plans and a gallery of our News Media Evaluation Gallup Award winners.
To access, please visit our new member login page. Your credentials are in an email from [email protected]. Please check your spam folder and if you still don’t see it, reach out to us at [email protected] and we will help you troubleshoot!
When you log in, please accept cookies via the popup on the bottom of the page. This will limit the number of times you have to login!
Members-only area bell ringer highlight
This bell ringer teaches the inverted pyramid for breaking news writing.
Deadline approaches for 2025 Vanessa Shelton Chapter of the Year
Has your chapter been active in Quill and Scroll this year? If so, it’s time to apply for the Chapter of the Year.
Chapters must have initiated members in each of the past three years.
Applications are free and winners will receive a plaque, $250 for the classroom, four free memberships and honor cords and one member spot on our Student Advisory Board.
The deadline is April 18 and the winner will be announced mid-May. The application form is on our website.
Benz Scholarship
Applications open for $250 adviser award
Quill and Scroll will award the $250 Lester G. Benz Scholarship to an adviser who undertakes a professional development activity over the summer or in the 2025-26 academic year.
The award can be used to attend a National High School Journalism Conference, to pay for tuition for a university course in a relevant subject area, or for a summer workshop, the JEA Summer Advisers Institute or a local summer workshop in your state, to name a few.
Applications are now being accepted. The deadline is April 11.
The award is named after former Quill and Scroll Executive Director Lester G. Benz.
Student Scholarship applications are also now open and will be due May 9.
Spring convention registration opened Jan. 28
Join us in Kansas City for the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. This year’s convention will be in Seattle. Registration is open and the hotel link is available to all registrants. Join us for “SEA it to believe it” at the JEA/NSPA spring convention April 24-26.
When you’re there, please stop by our booth! We’d love to see you!
Upcoming Weekly Scroll pause dates
We will pause the Weekly Scroll during the weeks of March 24, April 21 and April 28 since we will be at conventions when we normally would amass the Scroll. Please note, we will not be offering overnight ordering during this time.
Some advisers and students have found linking to our Weekly Scroll page beneficial.
Thank you for understanding.
Chapter Shoutout needs your help
Make sure to share what you’re doing (or have done) with us! We would love to feature your chapter here.
Please use this Google form or email us at [email protected]. Please include a small description and photo of the event.
School of the New York Times Summer Academy opportunity
We are excited to announce our partnership with the School of the New York Times. Students from schools with a Quill and Scroll Charter can receive $500 off enrollment in the School of the New York Times Summer Academy.
Summer Academy is open to high school students (grades 10-12 and Graduating Seniors based on the grade the student is entering in the Fall 2025 school year). Students must be 15 years old by the first day of their term. All students applying to Summer Academy for the first time are required to complete an online application. Returning students do not need to reapply.
The round 2 enrollment and final scholarship deadline is March 26. Please see this site for application and more details. The School of the New York Times will host a Virtual Admissions Information Session from 4:30-5:15 p.m. CDT March 18.
Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop set for June 30-July 3, in Dallas
The Gloria Shields NSPA Media Workshop returns to the Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria June 30-July 3, 2025, with bonus classes on June 29. Workshop registration is $140 per student or adviser. The extra cost for the Sunday bonus class is $20 per person.
In 2024, 808 students from 79 schools took advantage of the instruction from our exceptional faculty.
Complete information, including a promotional video, is available on the workshop website. Registration is open.
Opportunity from the Freedom Forum
The 2025 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference June 22-27, 2025 provides 51 students (one high school junior from each state plus the District of Columbia) with an all-expenses-paid program that includes panel conversations with journalists, newsroom visits, a chance to meet students and industry leaders who share a passion for news, and a unique Washington, D.C. experience.
Participants also receive a $1,000 college scholarship and ongoing support from a community of more than 1,500 alumni. Students build their skills, grow their network and get a head start on their future.
Apply by March 23 at FreeSpiritJournalism.org.
Just a thought
Want to attend a JEA/NSPA convention next year or take a class this summer? Want to take the News Influence Class at Kent State? If you answered yes, it’s time to apply for the 2025 Lester Benz Adviser Scholarship. The time to start the process is now.
Previous scholarship recipients have used the money to attend a national convention, to enroll in a summer workshop or to pay for a university course in a relevant subject area.
Applications are due April 11, which is about a month away and can be found here.
— Lori Keekley
