Helen Smith, the executive director of this Association and the adviser of the Newtonite at Newton North High School in Newtonville, Mass., received the Robert Baram Award.

With the award, the New England Scholastic Press Association honors advisers from this region who have helped students raise their sights and their standards in the practice of school journalism.

The award is named for Robert Baram, founder and for 46 years the executive director of the Association.

Consideration for the award is based on an adviser’s contributions to the cause of ethical, thorough and articulate scholastic journalism in the adviser’s school and community; and support for school journalists in all facets of their efforts to present credible and useful material to their audience.

The NESPA board presents the award on a discretionary rather than an annual basis.

Harry Proudfoot, the secretary of the Association and a winner of the award in 2001, made the presentation.