Oxford High School's Principal Roberson Awarded MSPA Scholastic Press Ally Award

The MSPA awarded Oxford High School Principal Bradley Roberson the Scholastic Press Ally Award for his support to the school’s journalism program. In addition to the awards presented to journalism teachers, this award was developed to honor those outside of the classroom who have worked to give young journalism students the opportunity to learn. 
Director of the MSPA, R.J. Morgan, discussed the qualities that make Roberson a perfect honoree for this award. 
“When you talk about high school journalism, it’s all about giving students the room and the autonomy to work and a leash enough to make mistakes, cover real issues and start conversations,” Morgan said. “When you have an administrant like Mr. Roberson who allows his teachers and students to be a part of a true learning process, to ask questions and see where it leads them, that’s what’s really important from an administrative role.”
Roberson is proud of what the Oxford journalism department has been able to accomplish and is proud to work alongside the school’s teachers to give students the chance to learn. 
“It’s incredibly exciting to receive this award. It reiterates the fact that I have a great opportunity to have an impact on our students along with our teachers,” Roberson said. “It’s exciting to see that our kids are given a chance and have the ability to do great things through their journalism work.”  
The journalism department at Oxford High consists of a newspaper, broadcast and sports productions, the yearbook and even an online publication. Journalism teacher Diala Chaney values principal Roberson’s commitment to their program.  
“Mr. Roberson is the best administrator I’ve ever worked for. He is always available because I go over and knock on his door at least once a day,” Chaney said. “He’s always willing to help out and that’s part of why we nominated him for this award. He has been the strongest ally to our program this year.”
Chaney was honored with an award of her own as she accepted the Joanne Sellers Newspaper Adviser of the Year for her work with the school’s newspaper “The Charger.”

“It is very flattering; this is my first year as a newspaper advisor, so when my students and the assistant principal told me they were nominating me, I was surprised and really grateful,” she said. “It means the world, and mainly its a reflection of how well the students have done this year.”

Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com. 
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