This morning, journalism advisor Jared Shuff was celebrated by his students in the commons during ECT for winning the Sunflower Award for his performance as an adviser.
The Sunflower Award is coordinated and voted by the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and, according to their website, given to journalism advisers who have been in their position under five years and have shown dedication to their students.
In order to nominate Shuff, multiple letters of recommendation were written from his students, his fellow advisers and with teachers he formerly worked with at Manhattan High School.
“I am confident that when I leave this program behind, Shuff will gracefully lead the program,” senior News Editor-in-Chief Lilly Wall wrote in her nomination letter.
Editors coordinated it so Shuff was told the event would be a staff photo and would be surpised about the award. Shuff said he had no idea what was going to happen as he stepped out into the commons.
“I was definitely surprised. I had no idea up until, literally standing there in that moment, did I know like ‘okay, this was happening,’” Shuff said.
Only a select number of students were in on the surprise and some students were shocked similarly to Shuff. Staff member Lucas Smith said they were grateful their advisor was receiving this recognition for their hard work.
The award was presented by KSPA executive director and Lawrence High adviser Barbara Tholen with numerous district admin and local journalists in attendance. Tholen also wrote a letter of recommendation for Shuff herself.
“He knows the laws and the rights of his students, and he stands up for them in a way I’m just not sure I’d have the guts to do in my early 20s,” Tholen wrote in her recommendation letter. “He empowers students to make decisions and then backs them up.”
Moreover, Shuff said it was validating to hear so much positive feedback and encouragement so early into his advising career especially since he’s new to teaching and only in his 2nd year.
“To have that recognition from people who I have had as mentors and from students that are just phenomenal, and having that trust and admiration for what I’m doing with the program was just very affirming and made me feel like I’m doing the right thing here,” Shuff said.
