Menifee 24/7 wins Excellence Award for education reporting

Menifee 24/7 has received the Media Excellence Award for education reporting from the Western Riverside County Association of School Managers.

Editor Doug Spoon accepted the award Monday night at the WRCASM annual awards banquet at the Moreno Valley Conference Center. The organization brings together educators and administrators from 12 Riverside County school districts.

"Doug is an excellent reporter, editor and interviewer with outstanding people skills," said Callie Beitler, president-elect of WRCASM, in announcing the award. "These are important qualities, especially for a local reporter, to ensure the readers have accurate information and are provided a balanced perspective in each and every article published. Doug can be counted on to accurately quote district administrators and school executives, which further strengthens media relations."

Menifee 24/7 owners and editors Doug and Kristen Spoon attended the awards night, in which several school officials received awards.

Cindy Barris of Perris Union High School District, which includes Heritage and Paloma Valley high schools, was named Central Office Administrator of the Year. Lee Alfred of PUHSD was named High School Co-Administrator of the Year. Lauryn Wild of the Romoland School District was named Elementary Co-Administrator of the Year.

In addition, seven Riverside County high school students received $350 scholarships.

Menifee 24/7 regularly covers events, issues and accomplishments at Paloma Valley High School, Heritage High, Santa Rosa Academy, as well as middle school and elementary schools in the Menifee Union School District and Romoland School District. It is the publication's goal to highlight the accomplishments of students, teachers and administrators as well as cover all newsworthy eduation-related events in a fair and balanced manner.

In addition to promoting PUHSD Student of the Month selections, Menifee 24/7 honors local high school Athletes of the Week, publicizes school performing arts and club activities, and has developed an internship program for students interested in journalism.

(In top photo, Doug Spoon receives the award from Jeff Simmons, president of the WRCASM Board of Directors.  In photo at left, Menifee 24/7 owners and editors Doug and Kristen Spoon).