The Missouri Interscholastic Press Association (MIPA) would like to congratulate Dr. David Holley, the prinicipal of Kirkwood High School in Kirkwood, Mo., for being named MIPA’s Administrator of the Year.

Dr. Holley was nominated by publications adviser Mitch Eden and the student members of the media at KHS. In their nomination, Mr. Eden and the students expressed “incredible admiration and gratitude for the role Holley has played in scholastic journalism at Kirkwood,” according to Rod Howe, the judge for this competition. Mr. Howe said Dr. Holley’s willingness to defend Kirkwood journalism was impressive.

Mr. Eden said of Dr. Holley: “He has been so instrumental in pushing KHS journalism to the forefront. I am glad to see him recognized as he always pushed kids in front of him” when honoring and promoting the program.

Former editor of the Kirkwood Call Brandon Mitchener said: “Even in times of controversial tragedy like the City Hall shooting that tested Kirkwood in February of 2008, Dr. Holley provided high school journalists with full transparency and trust, treating us like the professionals we aspired to become. He is a friend to First Amendment liberties. He is an enemy to constraining censorship. But most of all, by showing great support, Dr. Holley acknowledges the important lessons and values journalism has to offer for high school students.”

Another former editor, Alex Muckerman said: “As a former editor-in-chief of a high school publication, I know of the obstacles young journalists face in enjoying their First Amendment rights. Luckily, however, I know nothing from first hand experience. I was fortunate enough to be one of a minority of American student journalists whose administrators acted on behalf of the journalists’ and the public’s interest. Kirkwood High School is a model for journalism education because it has administrators like Dr. David Holley to allow journalists to do journalism.”

Dr. Holley will be retiring at the end of the school year, after beginning teaching in 1976 after graduating with a degree in history from Southern Methodist University and earning a Master’s degree in Education from Mizzou. Dr. Holley is a graduate of the Kirkwood High School in 1967 and returned to his alma mater in 1980 to begin teaching there. He has held other principal positions in the district, but returned to KHS as its principal in 2001.

Other nominees for this award were Mr. Travis Bracht, director of student learning in the Francis Howell School District, and Mr. Brad Kincheloe, principal of Park Hill High School.