By Joshua Koch
Public Communications
At the annual Texas Association of Journalism Educators Fall Fiesta Convention held in October, Kingwood Park High School Student Publications Adviser Megan Ortiz was honored with this year’s TAJE Trailblazer Award.
The award honors those whose efforts expand the scope and capability of Texas scholastic journalism and benefit others who follow their lead.
“Receiving the Trailblazer Award seemed surreal,” Ortiz said. “There are so many remarkable journalism educators in Texas, and I am lucky enough to call many of them friends now. My high school journalism program, which was run by my mom, changed my life. It also led me to a career at the Houston Chronicle that I loved. Now, I see teaching as my chance to pay it forward. I do not think there is a better place to learn communication, collaboration and leadership skills than in a high school journalism classroom.”
Ortiz was presented the award at the Fall Fiesta Adviser’s Luncheon at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio on October 13.
Earlier this fall, the Kingwood Park High School was one of 10 schools in the nation to be named as The George H. Gallup Award winner in the 2024 Quill and Scroll News Media Evaluation Service.
Photo Caption: TAJE Director Cindy Todd, Kingwood Park High School Student Publications Adviser Megan Ortiz and TAJE President Micahel Reeves are pictured after Ortiz received her TAJE Trailblazer Award.