Megan Ortiz, newspaper, online news and yearbook adviser at Kingwood Park High School, was named a recipient of the Edith Fox King Award by the Interscholastic League Press Conference.
The award will be presented during the annual ILPC state convention, held April 19-21, at The University of Texas at Austin.
“It's an honor to be recognized for this award, and I'm so grateful for the friends I have made through the ILPC and TAJE organizations,” Ortiz said. “I also feel fortunate to work with a number of colleagues at Kingwood Park and in Humble ISD who treat my student journalists with respect and help empower them. There is nothing more valuable in a high school than allowing student voices to be heard and shared. I'm grateful I have a front row seat as kids find and use their voices through journalism every day.”
The Interscholastic League Press Conference, an affiliate of the University Interscholastic League, is one of the nation’s largest state high school association of student newspapers, broadcasts, yearbooks and online news programs.
Ortiz received the award for her outstanding contributions to scholastic journalism in Texas and dedication to her students.
Ortiz has taught journalism for 15 years, with eight of those years spent teaching journalism and advising publications at Kingwood Park High School.
The EFK Award is truly a special award because teachers are nominated by their colleagues.
"Megan Ortiz is an excellent adviser who teaches her students the importance of ethics, design and storytelling,” Texas Association of Journalism Educators Executive Director Cindy Todd, who nominated Ortiz, said. “She advises quality publications that her community values."
ILPC director Alyssa Boehringer agrees.
"Megan Ortiz is an excellent teacher," she said. "Yes, she contributes a lot to conventions and workshops, but the best evidence for how good she is is in the quality of the journalism her students produce. Their incredible publications make her more than deserving of this award."
*Some quotes and information in the above article came from an official UIL Press Release provided to Humble ISD