[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF SUSAN MASSY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHARICE DAVIDS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2023

  Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
career of a great Kansan, Susan Massy, journalism adviser for 44 years, 
all but 2 at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.
  Since 1980, Susan Massy built an award-winning journalism program and 
has been a passionate educator for her students in Shawnee, Kansas. 
Last year, the school's newspaper, The Northwest Passage, and the 
school yearbook, The Lair became recipients of top awards. Many 
students pursued careers in journalism because of their experience in 
Mrs. Massy's classroom and her continued mentorship.
  In addition to educating students, Mrs. Massy became an advocate for 
her students outside of the classroom. She worked with the Kansas 
Legislature to pass the Students Publication Act, which gave school 
publications protections against censorship of school principals, 
administrators and school boards. She encouraged her students to stand 
up for themselves and brought them in to testify before the state 
legislature. She has been a key component in amplifying the voices of 
students across the state, teaching them that responsible journalism is 
vitally important to the longevity of our country.
  During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Mrs. Massy led her students graciously 
and compassionately through uncertain times, giving them space to hone 
their skills despite not having all the tools at home that they did in 
the classroom. Despite the obstacles they faced completing schoolwork 
online, Mrs. Massy and her program were able to continue publishing 
their news magazine and their yearbook. This type of diligence 
encouraged by Mrs. Massy has earned the publications a number 45 and 
number 1 spot in the Pacemaker Top 100.
  Susan Massy's love and dedication to her community has made her an 
integral part of educational journalism in our state. Mrs. Massy has 
received an Individual Honor of Recognition from the National Student 
Press Association (NSPA), a Charles R. O'Malley Award for Excellence in 
Teaching, and a Journalism Education Association (JEA) Lifetime 
Achievement Award.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Susan Massy on her 
illustrious career. I wish her happiness in her well-deserved 
retirement with her husband, David, their daughters Caitlin and Erika, 
and Clover, their rescue dog.

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