NSPA & ACP THROUGH THE DECADES

1928

< CIPA BECOMES NSPA; KILDOW HIRED

The organization is renamed the National Scholastic Press Association, and it moves to the University of Minnesota and Pillsbury Hall, the journalism department’s new home. Membership dues range from $2.50 to $3.50 per year for high school publications, depending on school enrollment. A contest entry and publication critique are included in the dues.

A new NSPA insignia is provided to charter members. Charter members are also invited to vote on the constitution “when it’s drawn up.” E. Maron Johnson hires Fred Kildow to serve on the journalism faculty and manage NSPA.

1929

CONVENTION SHIFTS TO SPRING

NSPA hosts its first spring convention, attracting 750 delegates from 21 states to Minneapolis. But conventions return to the fall, with no spring convention until 1970.

1930

< SANDBURG KEYNOTES CONVENTION

Carl Sandburg, American poet, biographer, journalist and editor, headlines the 1930 convention, attended by 1,300 student journalists in Cleveland. “It was a keen convention!” the Scholastic Editor headline says.

NSPA DIRECTOR WARNS AGAINST FRAUD

Fred Kildow warns members that the organization “National Scholastic Publications Contests,” at 109. N. Wabash, Chicago, is not affiliated with NSPA.

“Before you join some other group, find out who is behind it, find out if it is run for the benefit of scholastic publications or personal profit, find out how old it is, and if it is recognized by any great educational institution,” Kildow said.

1931

⊲ WORLDWIDE

1930 Worldwide depression gives rise to political extremism.

1931 New York City’s Empire State and Chrysler buildings are completed.

1932 Franklin Delano Roosevelt becomes president amid bank panics.

“LET’S GET TOGETHER” WITH CSPA

With the headline “Let’s Get Together,” the editor of Scholastic Editor magazine suggests combining NSPA and Columbia Scholastic Press Association and proposes two conventions, a fall meeting in the west and a spring gathering in New York City.

“We’re pretty sure the NSPA is open-minded on this subject. Not a merger — but a combination — for more honor and glory for both.”

The idea was never mentioned again in the magazine and the two organizations enjoy a friendly relationship for a century.

Official Delegate

Students and advisers attending the 1935 convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin wore buttons for admission to events. The name and city of each delegate was painstakingly handwritten.

1933 FDR declares a bank holiday in his first “fireside chat.”

1934 Hitler seizes power and names himself German Fuhrer.

Palmer House Hosts Conventions

Chicago’s Palmer House begins its long association with NSPA and ACP as the 1931 NSPA convention site. The hotel opened in 1871 and fell victim to the Great Chicago Fire only 13 days after its grand opening. It was rebuilt and “became the foremost gathering place for social and business life in the middle-west.” Mark Twain was often a guest, Scholastic Editor reports.

Detroit Banquet

“For nearly three hours, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford look on approvingly from their balcony table,” as 1,726 students and their advisers from 25 states sat in the Grand Ballroom and Crystal Room at the “swank” Book-Cadillac Hotel in Detroit for a seven-course feast during the 1936 NSPA Detroit convention,” Scholastic Editor magazine reports. Ford’s bodyguards did not allow autographs and photos.

Corn Leis

Eighteen Iowa schools made souvenir corn leis for distribution to the delegates at the Des Moines, Iowa convention mixer including staff members of the Cub Gazette, Mason City: Ida Learner, Virginia Farmakis, John Monger, Majory Barton and Eileen Payne. Elizabeth Graves, IHPA president, is their adviser.

Larger Than Life

“The editor of the Villanova College undergraduate publication studies “Life” magazine for new ideas on picture-story treatment,” says Scholastic Editor magazine.

⊲ CONVENTION SCENE

The Cogwheel Crew

Meet the staff executives of Pacemaker paper The Cogwheel, Mechanic Arts High, St. Paul, Minnesota — Front row: Myra Foss, associate editor; Herbert Arnesen, editor-in-chief; and Patricia Bork, associate editor. Back row: Robert Baker, sports editor; Robert Cleland, managing editor; and Irving Kreidberg, associate editor. Their adviser was Mary E. Copley, and their hobbies were listed as typography, make-up and staff responsibility.

Attendance

reaches an all-time high in the fall of 1939 with a total of 3,270 delegates. In Chicago, NSPA attracts 2,720 and ACP drew 550 to Des Moines, Iowa. (top) In Chicago, delegates register and pick-up their programs and nametags. (bottom) Exhibits include a popular Scholastic Editor magazine booth.