The Michigan Interscholastic Press Association has formed a Crowdrise group for The Detroit Free Press Marathon to help raise money for the Jeff Nardone Scholarship. The scholarship helps high school students attend MIPA’s summer journalism workshop.
Nardone was a long-time member of MIPA’s board, serving as MIPA’s president from 1994-1996. For years, he led the organization’s selection of the Student Journalist Staff. He also was a frequent speaker at MIPA conferences, a frequent judge in the organization’s annual statewide contests and was an instructor at the MIPA Summer Journalism Workshop at Michigan State University, where he taught the sports writing class.
Nardone taught English and journalism at Grosse Pointe South High School, where he advised the award-winning weekly newspaper, The Tower. Nardone’s students won more than 800 individual awards from state and national organizations.
During his career, he was recognized numerous times by state and national organizations for his contributions to scholastic journalism including MIPA, the Dow Jones News Fund, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the National Scholastic Press Association.
Nardone died in 2013 after a battle with lymphoma. He was 48.
“Jeff was a strong supporter of scholastic journalism and an even stronger supporter of the students with whom he worked,” MIPA Executive Director Jeremy Steele said. “We’re proud to carry on Jeff’s legacy by helping high school students spend a week at the university he loved immersed in an activity that he was passionate about.”
Click here for a link to the donation site, then click the red “Donate to a Fundraiser” button at the top right hand side of the page. From the drop down menu, choose The Michigan Interscholastic Press Association or an individual as your team member. Those wishing to add themselves as a team member should click on the blue “Fundraise for this Campaign” button on the bottom right and follow the directions to set up a Crowdrise account. MIPA’s goal is to raise at least $1,500 in Jeff’s name.
Those interested in running in the international Full/Half, U.S.-Only Half Marathons, 5K, Marathon Relay, Disabilities Division or Kids should follow this link to register: http://www.freepmarathon.com/register. Individuals who don’t want to participate in the marathon are still encouraged to donate to the cause.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN INTERSCHOLASTIC PRESS ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1921 and housed in the Michigan State University School of Journalism, the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association is a nonprofit organization composed of scholastic journalism teachers and publications advisers and their students. MIPA is committed to promoting and recognizing excellence in scholastic journalism at all levels through education, training and support of student journalists and their advisers.