GSPA honored outstanding individuals and student publications during the Spring Awards ceremony on March 18, 2026.

Marietta pitchfork staff Abigail barnes, content manager, nyima jarboh, publicity manager, and andrea lyons, adviser, receive the community service award during Gspa’s spring luncheon on march 18, 2026.

The Community Service Award recognizes a journalism staff that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to meaningful change through civic engagement and community involvement. This year’s winner was The Pitchfork at Marietta High School.

Throughout the school year, The Pitchfork encouraged students to participate in community service and civic initiatives. The staff promoted voter awareness by collaborating with other school organizations as well as Cobb Elections and Registration. They also contributed to National World News Day by highlighting journalism opportunities at Marietta High School. And creating articles around school system nutrition, as well as participating in community food drives to raise awareness about food insecurity.

In addition, The Pitchfork partnered with the Black History Month Committee to host a panel featuring former journalism students, providing current students with post-graduation advice.

The Pitchfork demonstrates how student publications can serve as a powerful catalyst for change within their schools and communities.

The Turnaround Award recognizes a staff and an adviser who has significantly improved the quality of their product from the previous year.

Nicole Motahari has turned the North Springs High School Phalanx yearbook, which operated like a club, into a full-fledged yearbook journalism program.

According to a nomination letter, Motahari works in conjunction with staff as well as students to handle obstacles and editorial concerns. She has brought new energy and recognition to revitalize the program by supporting student creativity and growth (this year, one of her students received national recognition through NSPA’s Journalism Week Poster Contest). Staff members have turned their attention to local interactions and coverage, deeper interviewing and documenting school events and encouraging students to reach beyond the school.

The First Year Adviser Award recognizes a teacher with one to three years of experience who has made a significant impact on their student media staff.

John Wilkerson brought a wealth of talent from his own Emmy award-winning career as a sports broadcaster for various networks and a frequent freelancer to North Springs High School this year. After two years of teaching at an elementary school, Wilkerson directed a semi-regular middle school broadcast show. After entering North Springs High School, he has already made his mark with strides in increasing the frequency of production of the North Springs News, now twice monthly, as well as encouraging a greater number of students to pursue their own film and AV projects. Wilkerson also took the reins of North Springs’ infrequent podcast program and created a series of ongoing podcast discussions called the “Spartan Scoop.”

One colleague said in a nomination letter that “Wilkerson is quick to respond to ideas from both students and staff, and he trusts his students to take care of their own tasks while checking in occasionally.”

The Adviser of the Year Award recognizes a journalism adviser who goes beyond the “call of duty” in supporting their staff. This year’s winner is Adam Throne, adviser of The Oracle and The Echo at North Springs High School. Read more here.

For more information about Achievement Awards and the nomination process, visit www.ugagspa.org/achievement.