Kathy Habiger, journalism adviser at Mill Valley High School, was honored by the Journalism Education Association (JEA) for her significant contributions throughout her scholastic journalism career. She was presented with the award at the spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Minneapolis April 16–18.

JEA Press Release

Kathy Habiger, MJE, is retiring this school year after 30 years of teaching at Mill Valley High School. In addition to advising the yearbook, newspaper and online site, Habiger is also president of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association and a member of the KSPA Hall of Fame.

Retired Kansas adviser Jim McCrossen said Habiger has dedicated a professional lifetime to the service of scholastic journalism across the country.

“Cheerleader is the first role I think of with Kathy,” McCrossen said. “She is a cheerleader for her students at Mill Valley High School in Kansas. She is a cheerleader for the work her students do, defending their rights to consistently publish journalistically sound material that is also award winning. She is a cheerleader for Kansas City serving as a local co-chair for a JEA/NSPA national convention; and, she is a cheerleader for Kansas high school students through her work with the Kansas Scholastic Press Association, in which she has held every position possible.”

Habiger served on the local committee for three national high school journalism conventions in Kansas City, including once as the local co-chair.

Kansas adviser Becky Tate met Habiger when she was a student teacher. That student teaching placement grew into a decades-long career devoted to scholastic journalism. Aside from her work with her own students, Habiger has mentored advisers and led workshops across the country.

“Her service has never been about titles — it has been about doing the work that needs to be done and doing it well,” Tate said. “Advisers across the country have benefited from her willingness to lead, advise and step in when help was needed.”

Learn more about the JEA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Awards & Honors

Throughout her 30 years at Mill Valley, Habiger has fostered a journalism program that consistently earns major awards and distinctions.

JagWire Newspaper
NSPA All-America Hall of Fame inductee in 2016
NSPA Pacemaker Winner (2015, 2016, 2021)
NSPA Pacemaker Finalist (2017, 2020, 2023)
KSPA All-Kansas rating (2000–2025)
NSPA convention Best of Show placings (2007–2025)

JAG Yearbook
NSPA All-America Hall of Fame inductee in 2012
KSPA All-Kansas (2001–2025)
NSPA Pacemaker Finalist (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009)
NSPA Pacemaker Winner (2003, 2007)
NSPA convention Best of Show placing (2001–2019, 2021–2024)

Mill Valley News Online
NSPA Pacemaker Winner (2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022)
NSPA Pacemaker Finalist (2012, 2013, 2025)
NSPA convention Best of Show placing (2012–2024)
KSPA All-Kansas (2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025)

Mill Valley High School Journalism
KSPA State Sweepstakes champions (2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)

A Lasting Legacy

As Habiger steps into retirement at the end of this school year, she concludes her Mill Valley career having transformed the school’s journalism program into a model of excellence. Her lifetime achievement award reflects not only her personal dedication, but the strength of the program she cultivated and the generations of students she empowered.