MIPA proudly announces Francis Howell High School Principal Dave Wedlock as the 2020 Administrator of the Year!

Adviser Michele Dunaway wrote in her nomination:

“Dave is a staunch supporter of student learning, and to this extent he always makes himself available to every student who needs to interview him. He does not shy away from controversial topics and provides statistics that are needed. He believes in the hands-on, high academic learning that journalism provides, and he sees how being on a publication staff has changed many of my students’ lives.

“Dave is always there for my students. He does not censor what they say, nor does he make them feel like anything but a real journalist (even on controversial topics which might put him or the school in the hot seat). Dave answers their questions honestly and with integrity. He respects them and makes them feel as if they have an important role representing the voice of the students.

“Dave also asks for unused yearbook photos and uses these on inspirational banners around the school. To give you a student perspective of what it means, I asked my photo editor Sam Figgins to write a few words. He said, “My sophomore year Dr. Wedlock put up a poster in the cafeteria with a photo I took. This gave me confidence to continue photography and do something I love.” It’s important to note that Sam earned a superior at JEA this past fall.

“I had the good fortune to work with the 1999 MIPA administrator of the year, Dr. Gary Drummond, and 2012’s Chris Greiner. I can only say that I have been blessed three times to have had such fantastic support and would be honored to see Dr. Dave Wedlock as MIPA’s administrator of the year.”

A strong supporter of student free expression, Dr. Wedlock has strongly supported the student journalists and is always there for his students. He does not censor what they say, nor does he make them feel like anything but a real journalist (even on controversial topics which might put him or the school in the hot seat). Dave answers their questions honestly and with integrity. It is for these reasons, the MIPA Baord of Directors unanimously choose Wedlock as the Administrator of the Year.

Wedlock will be recognized on stage at the 51st J-Day on Wednesday, March 25, at the University of Missouri-Columbia.