SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Newspaper and yearbook students at Pelham High School think very highly of their advisor, Katy Burnside. So did the judges at the Alabama Scholastic Press Association.

On Feb. 16, Burnside was named ASPA Advisor of the Year. She was nominated by one of her newspaper students, who wrote a letter of recommendation proving Burnside deserved the award.

Her students think of her as helpful, encouraging and dedicated. &8220;It&8217;s been a wonderful experience working with Mrs. Burnside, and I couldn&8217;t think of anyone who would deserve the award more,&8221; said senior yearbook editor Amber Dickison.

&8220;She does so much. She is an unsung hero of Pelham High School. Thanks to Mrs. Burnside we have a newspaper, yearbook, color guard and the students get the training they need in Beginning Journalism to work on not only those publications, but also the literary magazine and broadcast,&8221; said Connie Nolen, English department head.

Along with being newspaper and yearbook advisor, Mrs. Burnside sponsors color guard at PHS, teaches Advanced English 11 and Beginning Journalism and

serves as the ASPA president