April 7, 2025
Our past three editions
March 31, 2025 Higher education • Anonymity • “Surivivor”
March 17, 2025 Department of Education • Misinformation • Supreme Court
March 3, 2025 Boycotts • Egg yolks • “Shrek 5”
THE LEAD
Tax return filings fall as April 15 deadline approaches
Provide tips, resources for first time filers
The tax filing deadline is steadily approaching and, compared to last year, more people have asked for filing extensions, CNN reported. The Internal Revenue Service has received nearly 1 million fewer returns than it did last year, as of March 21. This drop isn’t unusual, but amid staffing cuts, leadership changes and concerns about declines in revenue collection, it is worth noting, according to CNN.
What you can do —
The first time many people file taxes is while in high school — and it can be a confusing process. Take some time to investigate resources students can use to help with their filings. It may be hard to interview an expert as this is their busiest season, but try to talk to an expert for any tips and tricks.
Noteworthy
TikTok deadline extended once again
Talk to community about how they use the app
Earlier this year, TikTok disappeared from app stores in the United States for a few hours when the initial ban went into effect. Though the app reappeared for download quickly, its future is not assured.
President Donald Trump extended the deadline by which parent company ByteDance would be required to divest from U.S. operations by another 75 days April 4.
A new study out of the Pew Research Center suggests less people support a ban than did a few years ago — 34% of adults polled support a ban now, which is down 50% from March 2023.
What you can do —
TikTok isn’t going anywhere right now, but there are other stories to be told in this situation. A data-based piece using research (like the recent Pew survey) would be an interesting way in. Consider conducting your own survey of students and staff to see how your community feels.
TikTok is also increasingly recognized as an important platform to reach younger audiences, CJR reports. News organizations are investing in TikTok operations — BBC announced its plans this week. Talk to people in your community about if they consume news on TikTok and evaluate how your publication could be using social media most effectively.
What’s viral
‘Airport theory’ trend tests limits of airport efficiency
Cover community travel habits
If you’ve spent time on social media in recent weeks, you may have seen people endorsing a last-minute airport arrival before a flight. At its core this trend, called “airport theory,” means showing up at the airport 15-20 minutes before a flight’s scheduled departure, Today reported.
Content creators show themselves parking, walking in, breezing through security and just barely making their flights, all in the name of limiting time wasted. But, is this actually a winning strategy? Despite what social media might lead you to believe, experts warn against this practice, according to Today.
Travel often doesn’t proceed as smoothly as you might want, and missing a flight can result in even more wasted time.
What you can do —
Whether spring break is approaching, or just passed, check in with students and staff about their flying habits. Did anyone try “airport theory” themselves? Did it work or did they get burned by the choice?
Also ask people if they have seen this trend circulating on social media. Depending on people’s personal travel styles it may seem far fetched and stress inducing, or it might appeal to them. Talk to travel professionals about how they are seeing this trend play out in real life and what impacts it may have on those flying.
IT’S AN HONOR
It’s always membership season
Don’t forget you can nominate members year-round
Order season has begun! It’s time to 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 28 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!
Chapter activity highlight
This chapter activity is dependent on what the adviser and students would like. Now is the time to reflect on what your goals and aspirations are for next year’s group.
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.
Upcoming Weekly Scroll pause dates
We will pause the Weekly Scroll during the weeks of 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.
Also, our last Weekly Scroll will be May 5.
Some advisers and students have found linking to our Weekly Scroll page beneficial.
Thank you for understanding.
Writing, Visual, Multimedia finalists announced
Quill and Scroll is pleased to announce the finalists in the 2025 Writing, Visual, Multimedia competition. More than 120 schools submitted entries to this year’s contest, for a total of more than 2,200 entries.
The finalists are listed online. The winners will be announced April 26 at the JEA/NSPA Spring National High School Journalism Convention in Seattle.
For those who entered our Private School Journalism Contest Finalists, we will release the finalists list as soon as the judging is finalized as well.
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 three application deadline is April 30.
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.
Just a thought
Happy Founder’s Day three days early!
Founder’s Day isn’t until April 10, but we didn’t want to wait.
Quill and Scroll was organized April 10, 1926, at the University of Iowa by George H. Gallup and a group of high school advisers. Their purpose was to encourage and recognize individual student achievement in journalism and scholastic media.
Yes, that happened 99 years ago. Next year, we will be celebrating 100 years at the 2026 Spring JEA/NSPA Spring Convention in Minneapolis.
It’s been an honor to be part of Quill and Scroll. I would love to hear from you about what you would like us to offer in the near future. If you have ideas or needs that Quill and Scroll may be able to help with, please let me know.
Thank you for all you do to help your Quill and Scroll Chapter be successful. May we all search and embody for the lights of truth, learning, leadership, loyalty, initiative, integrity, judgment and friendship.
— Lori Keekley
