Judi Coolidge learned that she is the national Yearbook Adviser of the Year at a surprise assembly at Bay High School in Bay Village, Ohio.

Journalism Education Association officials H.L. Hall and Linda Puntney traveled to the Cleveland-area school on Jan. 29 to make the announcement.

Coolidge is lovingly called “Cool” in the publications room that her students refer to as “The Pub.” Ironically, there isn’t enough room on the walls of “The Pub” to display every CSPA Gold Crown and NSPA Pacemaker plaque that Coolidge’s staffs have earned during the 29 years she has advised the extracurricular yearbook.

“Cool is a master teacher, an exemplary yearbook journalist and an awesome ambassador for everything right with education,” said Joseph Loomis, Bay principal from 1975-1999.

Michael Fujka, 2001 Make Fun of Bay editor, agrees.

“She has bestowed upon me some of life’s most invaluable gifts of leadership, tolerance and the ability to work effectively with others no matter what the situation,” Fujka said.

Coolidge’s influence on yearbook journalism extends far beyond the walls of “The Pub.” She tirelessly teaches workshops from coast to coast and mentors beginning advisers. Coolidge has received both the CSPA Gold Key and the NSPA Pioneer Award and was inducted into the Scholastic Journalism Hall of Fame.

A Jostens customer, Coolidge contributes to Jostens Adviser & Staff magazine, frequently advises Jostens on its educational offerings and is a featured instructor at Jostens National Yearbook Workshops.

The JEA national Yearbook Adviser of the Year competition, underwritten by the nation’s yearbook companies, also honors three Distinguished Advisers and seven Special Recognition Advisers. The Distinguished Advisers are:

• Kathy Craghead, Mexico High School, Mexico, MO
• Pete LeBlanc, Center High School, Antelope, CA
• Wayna Polk, Abilene High School, Abilene, TX

Special Recognition Advisers are:

• Linda Ballew, Great Falls High School, Great Falls, MT
• Jane Blystone, North East High School, North East, PA
• Mark Child, Downey High School, Downey, CA
• Kathy Habiger, Mill Valley High School, Shawnee, KS
• Sandra Jacoby, G.N. Tremper High School, Kenosha, WI
• Micki Remos, Dobson High School, Mesa, AZ
• Cindy Todd, Westlake High School, Austin, TX

As part of the award, Bay High School will receive a $1,000 scholarship for a yearbook student. The Distinguished Advisers’ schools will each receive $500 scholarships for yearbook students.

Coolidge will officially receive the honor in April at the JEA/NSPA National Journalism Convention in Portland, OR.

Surprised. After receiving a plaque and roses from JEA officials and a warm standing ovation from students and faculty at a surprise assembly in her honor, national Yearbook Adviser of the Year Judi Coolidge thanks the Bay High School yearbook staff members she has worked with in her 29 years as adviser. [photo by Gary Lundgren]